1 Chronicles 18

1Ch 18:1, 2.

DAVID

SUBDUES THE

PHILISTINES AND

MOABITES.

1. David . . . took Gath and her towns--The full

extent of David's conquests in the Philistine territory is here

distinctly stated, whereas in the parallel passage

(2Sa 8:1)

it was only described in a general way. Gath was the "Metheg-ammah," or

"arm-bridle," as it is there called--either from its supremacy as the

capital over the other Philistine towns, or because, in the capture of

that important place and its dependencies, he obtained the complete

control of his restless neighbors.

2. he smote Moab--The terrible severities by which David's conquest

of that people was marked, and the probable reason of their being

subjected to such a dreadful retribution, are narrated

(2Sa 8:2).

the Moabites . . . brought gifts--that

is, became tributary to Israel.

1Ch 18:3-17.

DAVID

SMITES

HADADEZER AND THE

SYRIANS.

3. Hadarezer--or, "Hadadezer"

(2Sa 8:3),

which was probably the original form of the name, was derived from

Hadad, a Syrian deity. It seems to have become the official and

hereditary title of the rulers of that kingdom.

Zobah--Its situation is determined by the words "unto" or "towards

Hamath," a little to the northeast of Damascus, and is supposed by some

to be the same place as in earlier times was called Hobah

(Ge 14:15).

Previous to the rise of Damascus, Zobah was the capital of the kingdom

which held supremacy among the petty states of Syria.

as he went to stablish his dominion by the river Euphrates--Some refer

this to David, who was seeking to extend his possessions in one

direction towards a point bordering on the Euphrates, in accordance

with the promise

(Ge 15:18;

Nu 24:17).

But others are of opinion that, as David's name is mentioned

(1Ch 18:4),

this reference is most applicable to Hadadezer.

4-8. And David took from him a thousand

chariots--(See on

2Sa 8:3-14).

In

2Sa 8:4

David is said to have taken seven hundred horsemen, whereas here it is

said that he took seven thousand. This great discrepancy in the text of

the two narratives seems to have originated with a transcriber in

confounding the two Hebrew letters which indicate the numbers, and in

neglecting to mark or obscure the points over one of them. We have no

means of ascertaining whether seven hundred or seven thousand be the

more correct. Probably the former should be adopted [DAVIDSON'S HERMENUTICS].

but reserved of them an hundred chariots--probably to grace a triumphal

procession on his return to Jerusalem, and after using them in that

way, destroy them like the rest.

8. from Tibhath and from Chun--These places are called Betah and

Berothai

(2Sa 8:8).

Perhaps the one might be the Jewish, the other the Syrian, name of

these towns. Neither their situation nor the connection between them is

known. The Arabic version makes them to be Emesa (now Hems) and

Baal-bek, both of which agree very well with the relative position of

Zobah.

9-13. Tou--or Toi--whose dominions border on those of Hadadezer.

(See on

2Sa 8:9-12;

1Ki 11:15).

17. the Cherethites and the Pelethites--who formed the royal bodyguard.

The Cherethites were, most probably, those brave men who all along

accompanied David while among the Philistines, and from that people

derived their name

(1Sa 30:14;

Eze 25:16;

Zep 2:5)

as well as their skill in archery--while the Pelethites were those who

joined him at Ziklag, took their name from Pelet, the chief man in the

company

(1Ch 12:3),

and, being Benjamites, were expert in the use of the sling.