1Ch 18:1 Now after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them, and took Gath and her towns out of the hand of the Philistines.
2Sa 8:1 And after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them: and David took Methegammah out of the hand of the Philistines.
David took Gath and its 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.
The events recorded in these three chapters are all narrated in the second book of Samuel also, and in the same order. First, there are grouped together in 1 Chronicles 18, and in 2 Sam 8, in such a manner as to afford a general view of the whole, all the wars which David carried on victoriously against all his enemies round about in the establishment of the Israelite rule, with a short statement of the results, followed by a catalogue of David's chief public officials. In 1 Chron 19 and in 2 Sam 10 we have a more detailed account of the arduous war against the Ammonites and Syrians, and in 1Ch_20:1-3 and 2Sa_12:26-31 the conclusion of the war with the capture of Rabbah, the capital of the Ammonites; and finally, in 1Ch_20:4-8, we have a few short accounts of the victories of the Israelite heroes over giants from the land of the Philistines, which are inserted in 2Sa_21:18-22 as a supplement to the last section of David's history. Apart from this last section, which is to be regarded even in the Chronicle as an appendix, we find the arrangement and succession of the events to be the same in both books, since the sections which in 2Sa_9:1-13 and 2Sa_11:1-12, 2Sa_11:25, stand between the histories of the wars, contain sketches of David's family life, which the author of the Chronicle has, in accordance with his plan, omitted.
And after this it came to pass - After David had rest from his enemies for a time, and after the conversation he had had with Nathan about building the house of God, and after the message sent to him from the Lord by that prophet, forbidding him to build, and David's prayer to the Lord upon it, the following events happened; and which are recorded to show that David's rest from his enemies did not last long, and that he had other work to do than to build the house of God:
that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them - these had been long and implacable enemies of Israel; Samson began to weaken them in his days; a war was waged between them and Israel in the times of Samuel and Saul, and the battle sometimes went on one side and sometimes on the other; but now David made an entire conquest of them: before they had used to come into the land of Israel, and there fight with Israel, but now David entered into their land, and took it from them:
David took Metheg-ammah - The simple meaning of the passage is, that David wrested from the Philistines the power which the capital had possessed over the towns dependent upon it, over the whole of the land of Philistia ; in other words, he brought the capital ( Gath ) and the other towns of Philistia into his own power.
1Ch 18:2 And he smote Moab; and the Moabites became David's servants, and brought gifts.
2Sa 8:2 And he smote Moab, and measured them with a line, casting them down to the ground; even with two lines measured he to put to death, and with one full line to keep alive. And so the Moabites became David's servants, and brought gifts.
And he smote Moab - He next went against that, and invaded it, the people of it being always troublesome and distressing to the children of Israel; and though the king of it had shown some favor to David, yet it was when he considered him as an enemy to Saul, and Saul to him; but things having taken a different turn, his and his people's enmity against David and his people appeared; wherefore he went and fought them, and made them his subjects, whereby was fulfilled the prophecy of Balaam, Num_24:17 I shall see him, but not now. I shall behold him, but not near. There shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Scepter shall rise out of Israel. and shall strike the corners of Moab, and destroy all the sons of tumult as it referred to David:
and brought gifts - paid a yearly tribute to King David, as they afterwards did to Solomon and to Rehoboam, until the revolt of the ten tribes, and then they paid it unto the kings of Israel .
1Ch 18:3 And David smote Hadarezer king of Zobah unto Hamath, as he went to stablish his dominion by the river Euphrates.
2Sa 8:3 David smote also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates.
Hadarezer - He is supposed to have been king of all Syria, except Phoenicia; being attacked by David, he was totally routed. Hadad was the chief idol, or sun-god, of the Syrians.
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.
as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates — in accordance with the promises God made to Israel that He would give them all the country as far as the Euphrates (Gen_15:18; Num_24:17). David, remembering the grant which God had made to his people of all the land as far as Euphrates, and having subdued his neighboring enemies, went to recover his rights, and establish his dominion as far as Euphrates.
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 (Gen_14:15). Previous to the rise of Damascus, Zobah was the capital of the kingdom which held supremacy among the petty states of Syria.
1Ch 18:4 And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven thousand horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: David also houghed all the chariot horses, but reserved of them an hundred chariots.
2Sa 8:4 And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: and David houghed all the chariot horses, but reserved of them for an hundred chariots.
Seven thousand horsemen - Or, seven hundred companies of horsemen, that is, in all seven thousand; as it is 1Ch_18:4, there being ten in each company, and each ten having a ruler or captain.
David took from him a thousand chariots - 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.
but reserved of them an hundred chariots - possibly to grace a triumphal procession on his return to Jerusalem, and after using them in that way, destroy them like the rest.
David houghed all the chariot horses - or hamstrung them, as Joshua was ordered to do with respect to the Canaanites, Jos_11:6 And the LORD said to Joshua, Do not be afraid because of them, for tomorrow about this time I will deliver them up, all killed before Israel. You shall hamstring their horses and burn their chariots with fire he did not kill them, which might seem cruel and unmerciful to the brute creatures, but hamstrung them, that they might be useless for war; and the reason of it was, that horses might not be multiplied in Israel for that purpose, that so their trust and confidence might not be placed in them; Deu_17:16 But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, so as to multiply horses, because the LORD has said to you, You shall return no more that way from now on. The horses were thus mutilated because they were forbidden to the Hebrews, both in war and agriculture. So it was of no use to keep them. Besides, their neighbors placed much dependence on cavalry, but having, for want of a native breed, to procure them by purchase, the greatest damage that could be done to such enemies was to render their horses unserviceable in war.
1Ch 18:5 And when the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadarezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.
2Sa 8:5 And when the Syrians of Damascus came to succour Hadadezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.
1Ch 18:6 Then David put garrisons in Syriadamascus; and the Syrians became David's servants, and brought gifts. Thus the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.
2Sa 8:6 Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus: and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought gifts. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.
Brought gifts - Rather, tribute; meaning they became subject and tributary or paid him tribute by way of homage, acknowledging themselves his subjects.
1Ch 18:7 And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadarezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.
2Sa 8:7 And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.
David took the shields of gold - We know not what these were. Some translate arms, others quivers, others bracelets, others collars, and others shields. They were probably costly ornaments by which the Syrian soldiers were decked and distinguished.
brought them to Jerusalem - where they were laid up; Son_4:4 Your neck is like the tower of David built for an armory, on which there hang a thousand bucklers, all shields of mighty men. 2Sa_8:11 King David also dedicated them to the LORD, with the silver and gold that he had dedicated from all nations which he subdued: David dedicated to the Lord all the gold and silver that he had taken, put it in the treasury of the sanctuary to be reserved for the future temple, and that at the end of his reign he handed over to his son and successor Solomon all the gold, silver, iron, and brass that he had collected for the purpose, to be applied to the building of the temple (1Ch_22:14., 1Ch_29:2.).
On the servants - And those who are called servants here, were probably the choice troops or body-guard of Hadadezer.
1Ch 18:8 Likewise from Tibhath, and from Chun, cities of Hadarezer, brought David very much brass, wherewith Solomon made the brasen sea, and the pillars, and the vessels of brass.
2Sa 8:8 And from Betah, and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, king David took exceeding much brass.
1Ch 18:9 Now when Tou king of Hamath heard how David had smitten all the host of Hadarezer king of Zobah;
2Sa 8:9 When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had smitten all the host of Hadadezer,
Hamath - This appears as an independent kingdom so late as the time of Senacherib Isa_37:13 Where is the king of Hamath, and the king of Arpad, and the king of the city of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivah? But in the time of Nebuchadnezzar, both Hamath and Arpad appear to have been incorporated in the kingdom of Damascus Jer_49:23 Concerning Damascus: Hamath and Arpad are put to shame, for they have heard bad news. They are melted; anxiety is in the sea; it cannot be quiet.
Hamath - Which was another small kingdom in Syria , perhaps lately erected to defend themselves against Hadadezer. The Syrian prince, being delivered from the dread of a dangerous neighbor, sent his son with valuable presents to David to congratulate him on his victories, and solicit his alliance and protection.
Tou king of Hamath - whose dominions border on those of Hadadezer. Called Toi in 2Sa_8:9.
1Ch 18:10 He sent Hadoram his son to king David, to enquire of his welfare, and to congratulate him, because he had fought against Hadarezer, and smitten him; (for Hadarezer had war with Tou;) and with him all manner of vessels of gold and silver and brass.
2Sa 8:10 Then Toi sent Joram his son unto king David, to salute him, and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer, and smitten him: for Hadadezer had wars with Toi. And Joram brought with him vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and vessels of brass:
Then Tou sent Hadoram his son unto King David - The name Tou is written Toi in 2 Samuel, according to a different mode of interpretation; and the name of the son is given as Joram there too, instead of Hadoram as in the text here. According to 1Ch_18:3, the territory of the king of Hamath bordered upon that of Hadadezer, and the latter had probably tried to make king Tou submit to him. The secret object of the salutation, however, was no doubt to secure the friendship of this new and powerful neighbor.
1Ch 18:11 Them also king David dedicated unto the LORD, with the silver and the gold that he brought from all these nations; from Edom, and from Moab, and from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines, and from Amalek.
2Sa 8:11-12 Which also king David did dedicate unto the LORD, with the silver and gold that he had dedicated of all nations which he subdued; Of Syria, and of Moab, and of the children of Ammon, and of the Philistines, and of Amalek, and of the spoil of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah.
Them also King David dedicated unto the Lord - He devoted it to sacred uses, particularly to the building of the house of the Lord, as he also had the gold and the brass he took from Hadadezer. He did not convert the spoils he took to his own use, but observed the law God gave to the kings of Israel, that they should not greatly multiply to themselves silver and gold, Deu_17:17 Nor shall he multiply wives to himself, so that his heart does not turn away. Nor shall he greatly multiply silver and gold to himself. He set it apart, and laid it up for the service of the sanctuary; and this accounts for the abundance of gold, silver, and brass, which David had amassed together, and left to his son Solomon to build the temple with.
1Ch 18:12 Moreover Abishai the son of Zeruiah slew of the Edomites in the valley of salt eighteen thousand.
2Sa 8:13 And David gat him a name when he returned from smiting of the Syrians in the valley of salt, being eighteen thousand men.
The valley of salt - Supposed to be a large plain abounding in this mineral, about a league from the city of Palmyra or Tadmor in the wilderness.
The valley of salt - The valley was the ravine of salt (the Ghor), adjoining the Salt Mountain , at the southwestern extremity of the Dead Sea , separating the ancient territories of Judah and Edom
Abishai slew of the Edomites - This victory is attributed to David, 2Sa_8:13. He sent Abishai against them, and he defeated them: this is with great propriety attributed to David as commander-in-chief.
1Ch 18:13 And he put garrisons in Edom; and all the Edomites became David's servants. Thus the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.
2Sa 8:14 And he put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom put he garrisons, and all they of Edom became David's servants. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.
He put garrisons in Edom - To keep the inhabitants in subjection to him; as their forts and strong holds came into his hands, he placed companies of soldiers in them for the said purpose;
all they of Edom became David's servants - and hereby were fulfilled the oracle delivered to Rebekah, and the prophetic blessing of Isaac, Gen_25:23 And the LORD said to her, Two nations are in your womb, and two kinds of people shall be separated from your bowels. And the one people shall be stronger than the other people, the older shall serve the younger.
1Ch 18:14 So David reigned over all Israel, and executed judgment and justice among all his people.
2Sa 8:15 And David reigned over all Israel; and David executed judgment and justice unto all his people.
David reigned over all Israel - Not only over Judah, but over all the tribes of Israel, and over the whole land of Canaan, as promised to Abraham, Gen_15:18 In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, I have given this land to your seed, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates, reaching to the river Euphrates, as Syria did, now conquered by David:
David executed judgment and justice unto all his people - when he returned from his wars, he heard and tried all causes impartially, brought before him, and gave sentence according to the law of God, and administered righteous judgment without any respect to persons, in which he was a type of Christ.
1Ch 18:15 And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud, recorder.
2Sa 8:16 And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder;
Recorder - one who kept a strict journal of all the proceedings of the king and operations of his army; a chronicler. Or writer of chronicles.
Recorder - The recorder seems to have been a high officer of state, a kind of chancellor, whose office was to keep a record of the events of the kingdom for the king’s information, and hence, he would naturally be the king’s adviser.
Joab was over the host - General and commander-in-chief over all the army. Which was not only owing to his relation to David, being his sister's son, but to his promise that whoever smote the Jebusites first should be chief and captain; that is, should have the command of the army under him; this Joab did; and so was entitled to this office, and was put into it, and continued in it, 1Ch_11:6 And David said, Whoever strikes the Jebusites first shall be chief and captain. And Joab the son of Zeruiah went up first and was chief.
Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud - of whom nothing further is known.
1Ch 18:16 And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Abimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Shavsha was scribe;
2Sa 8:17 And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Seraiah was the scribe;
Shavsha was the scribe – Some say this is the king’s private secretary. Others say the scribe was a secretary of state.
Zadok and Ahimelech were the priests – On the massacre of the priests at Nob in1Sa_22:19, Saul conferred the priesthood on Zadok, of the family of Eleazar (1Ch_6:50), while David acknowledged Ahimelech, of Ithamar’s family, who fled to him. The two high priests exercised their office under the respective princes to whom they were attached. But, on David’s obtaining the kingdom over all Israel , they both retained their dignity; Ahimelech officiating at Jerusalem , and Zadok at Gibeon 1Ch_16:39 And he left Zadok the priest and his brothers the priests before the tabernacle of the LORD in the high place at Gibeon,
Zadok and Ahimelech were the priests – Abiathar was high priest, and continued so until the time of Solomon, when he was thrust out of his office, and Zadok put into it; and Ahimelech his son and Zadok were the principal priests under him, the one of the family of Ithamar, the other of Eleazar. Zadok is mentioned first, though Ahimelech was the son of the present high priest, because he was in great favor with David, as afterwards with Solomon, in whose days the high priesthood was transferred to him; the family of Eli being now upon the decline, and near being removed from the high priesthood, as was foretold.
1Ch 18:17 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and the sons of David were chief about the king.
2Sa 8:18 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over both the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David's sons were chief rulers.
The Cherethites and the Pelethites - The former supposed to be those who accompanied David when he fled from Saul; the latter, those who came to him at Ziklag. These, according to Josephus, were the king's bodyguards, and this man is expressly said to be set over his guards, 2Sa_23:22-23 These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and had the name among three mighty ones. He was more honorable than the thirty, but he did not attain to the first three. And David set him over his guard.
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.
Pelethites — from Pelet (1Ch_12:3). They were the valiant men who, having accompanied David during his exile among the Philistines, were made his bodyguard.
The sons of David - These were the highest in authority.
