1Ch 14:1, 2.
HIRAM'S
KINDNESS TO
DAVID;
DAVID'S
FELICITY.
1. Now Hiram king of
Tyre--[See on
2Sa 5:11].
The alliance with this neighboring king, and the important advantages
derived from it, were among the most fortunate circumstances in David's
reign. The providence of God appeared concurrent with His promise in
smoothing the early course of his reign. Having conquered the Jebusites
and made Zion the royal residence, he had now, along with internal
prosperity, established an advantageous treaty with a neighboring
prince; and hence, in immediate connection with the mention of this
friendly league, it is said, "David perceived that the Lord had
confirmed him king over Israel."
2. his kingdom was lifted up on high, because of his people
Israel--This is an important truth, that sovereigns are invested
with royal honor and authority, not for their own sakes so much as for
that of their people. But while it is true of all kings, it was
especially applicable to the monarchs of Israel, and even David was
made to know that all his glory and greatness were given only to fit
him, as the minister of God, to execute the divine purposes towards the
chosen people.
3. David took more wives at
Jerusalem--(See on
2Sa 3:5).
His concubines are mentioned
(1Ch 3:9),
where also is given a list of his children
(1Ch 14:5-8),
and those born in Jerusalem
(2Sa 5:14-16).
In that, however, the names of Eliphalet and Nogah do not occur, and
Beeliada appears to be the same as Eliada.
8. all the Philistines went up to seek David--in the hope of
accomplishing his ruin (for so the phrase is used,
1Sa 23:15; 24:2, 3)
before his throne was consolidated. Their hostility arose, both from a
belief that his patriotism would lead him, ere long, to wipe out the
national dishonor at Gilboa, and by fear, that in any invasion of their
country, his thorough knowledge of their weak points would give him
superior advantages. They resolved, therefore, to surprise and crush
him before he was fairly seated on his throne.
11. they came up to Baal-perazim; and David smote them there--In an
engagement fought at Mount Perazim
(Isa 28:21),
in the valley of Rephaim, a few miles west of Jerusalem, the
Philistines were defeated and put to flight.
12. when they had left their gods--(See on
2Sa 5:21).
13. the Philistines yet again spread themselves--They renewed the
campaign the next season, taking the same route. David, according to
divine directions, did not confront them.
14. Go not up after them--The text in
2Sa 5:23,
more correctly has, "Go not up."
turn away from them--that is, by stealing round a baca-grove, come
upon their rear.
15. for God is gone forth before thee--"a sound of going in the
tops of the mulberry trees," that is, the rustling of the leaves by a
strong breeze suddenly rising, was the sign by which David was divinely
apprised of the precise moment for the attack. The impetuosity of his
onset was like the gush of a pent-up torrent, which sweeps away all in
its course; and in allusion to this incident the place got its
name.
16. from Gibeon . . . to Gazer--Geba or Gibea
(2Sa 5:25),
now Yefa, in the province of Judah. The line from this to Gazer was
intersected by the roads which led from Judah to the cities of the
Philistines. To recover possession of it, therefore, as was effected by
this decisive battle, was equivalent to setting free the whole mountain
region of Judah as far as their most westerly slope [BERTHEAU].
1 Chronicles 14 Bible Commentary
Jamieson, Faussett, and Brown
1Ch 14:1, 2. HIRAM'S KINDNESS TO DAVID; DAVID'S FELICITY.
1. Now Hiram king of Tyre--[See on 2Sa 5:11]. The alliance with this neighboring king, and the important advantages derived from it, were among the most fortunate circumstances in David's reign. The providence of God appeared concurrent with His promise in smoothing the early course of his reign. Having conquered the Jebusites and made Zion the royal residence, he had now, along with internal prosperity, established an advantageous treaty with a neighboring prince; and hence, in immediate connection with the mention of this friendly league, it is said, "David perceived that the Lord had confirmed him king over Israel."
2. his kingdom was lifted up on high, because of his people Israel--This is an important truth, that sovereigns are invested with royal honor and authority, not for their own sakes so much as for that of their people. But while it is true of all kings, it was especially applicable to the monarchs of Israel, and even David was made to know that all his glory and greatness were given only to fit him, as the minister of God, to execute the divine purposes towards the chosen people.
1Ch 14:3-7. HIS WIVES.
3. David took more wives at Jerusalem--(See on 2Sa 3:5). His concubines are mentioned (1Ch 3:9), where also is given a list of his children (1Ch 14:5-8), and those born in Jerusalem (2Sa 5:14-16). In that, however, the names of Eliphalet and Nogah do not occur, and Beeliada appears to be the same as Eliada.
1Ch 14:8-17. HIS VICTORIES OVER THE PHILISTINES.
8. all the Philistines went up to seek David--in the hope of accomplishing his ruin (for so the phrase is used, 1Sa 23:15; 24:2, 3) before his throne was consolidated. Their hostility arose, both from a belief that his patriotism would lead him, ere long, to wipe out the national dishonor at Gilboa, and by fear, that in any invasion of their country, his thorough knowledge of their weak points would give him superior advantages. They resolved, therefore, to surprise and crush him before he was fairly seated on his throne.
11. they came up to Baal-perazim; and David smote them there--In an engagement fought at Mount Perazim (Isa 28:21), in the valley of Rephaim, a few miles west of Jerusalem, the Philistines were defeated and put to flight.
12. when they had left their gods--(See on 2Sa 5:21).
13. the Philistines yet again spread themselves--They renewed the campaign the next season, taking the same route. David, according to divine directions, did not confront them.
14. Go not up after them--The text in 2Sa 5:23, more correctly has, "Go not up."
turn away from them--that is, by stealing round a baca-grove, come upon their rear.
15. for God is gone forth before thee--"a sound of going in the tops of the mulberry trees," that is, the rustling of the leaves by a strong breeze suddenly rising, was the sign by which David was divinely apprised of the precise moment for the attack. The impetuosity of his onset was like the gush of a pent-up torrent, which sweeps away all in its course; and in allusion to this incident the place got its name.
16. from Gibeon . . . to Gazer--Geba or Gibea (2Sa 5:25), now Yefa, in the province of Judah. The line from this to Gazer was intersected by the roads which led from Judah to the cities of the Philistines. To recover possession of it, therefore, as was effected by this decisive battle, was equivalent to setting free the whole mountain region of Judah as far as their most westerly slope [BERTHEAU].