1 Chronicles · Chapter 19

Verse 1. Now it came to pass] See the same history, 2 Samuel 10:1, &c., and the notes there.

Verse 1. Nahash the king of the children of Ammon died — Of the contents of this chapter, see the notes on 2 Samuel 10.

Verse 2. David said, I will show kindness unto Hanun — Religion teaches us to be civil and obliging to all; to honour all men, and to be ready to do all offices of kindness to those among whom we live: and difference in the modes and forms of religion, or even in religion itself, must be no obstruction to it. But, besides this, David remembered the kindness which his father had showed him. They that have received kindness should return it as they have ability and opportunity: and they that have received it from the parents, should return it to the children when the parents are gone.

Verse 4. And cut off their garments in the midst] Usque ad eorum, pudenda. So the Targum, Jarchi, and others; leaving exposed what nature and decency require to be concealed. See on 2 Samuel 10:4.

Verse 6. Chariots and horsemen out of Mesopotamia] These are not mentioned in the parallel place in Samuel; probably they did not arrive till the Ammonites and their other allies were defeated by the Israelites in the first battle.

Verse 6. The children of Ammon saw they had made themselves odious to David — It would therefore have been their wisdom to have desired conditions of peace, to have humbled themselves and offered any satisfaction for the injury they had done him; and the rather, because they had made themselves not only odious to David, but obnoxious to the justice of God, who is the king of nations, and will assert the injured rights, and maintain the violated laws of nations. But, instead of this, they prepared for war, and so brought upon themselves those desolations which David never intended them.

V. 7. Chariots-Thirty two thousand men, who fought partly from chariots, and partly on foot with chariots, or attending upon the chariots, as the ancient manner of fighting was.

Verse 7. Thirty and two thousand] The whole number mentioned in Samuel is, Syrians, of Beth-rehob, and of Zoba, twenty thousand; of King Maacah, one thousand; of Ish-tob, twelve thousand; in all thirty-three thousand. Of chariots or cavalry there is no mention. These could not have been the whole army.

Verse 7. Thirty and two thousand chariots. In 2 Samuel 10:6., it is said they brought into the field from Zobah twenty thousand infantry, and from Maachah twelve thousand hired for a thousand talents of silver. Hence the passage should read: “They hired thirty two thousand men who fought in chariots.”

Verse 13. Be of good courage] See Clarke’s note on “2 Samuel 10:12”.

Verse 18. Forty thousand footmen] See this number accounted for in Clarke’s note on “2 Samuel 10:18”.

Ver. 18. David slew seven thousand—and forty thousand. Mercenary soldiers will never fight heartily for those that hire them. They get thrown into disorder, and their panic is such that they cannot be rallied. See on 2 Samuel 10.

V. 19. His servants-Let those who have in vain stood it out against God, be thus wise for themselves. Let them become his servants; for they are undone, if they remain his enemies.

Verse 19. They made peace with David, and became his servants] See on 2 Samuel 10:19, and the concluding note in that place; and see for omissions in Chronicles, the preface to these books. I CHRONICLES

Verse 19. They made peace with David, and became his servants — Those who have meddled with strife that belonged not to them, and have found that they meddled to their own hurt, do well to learn wisdom at length, and meddle no further. Let those who have in vain stood it out against God, be thus wise for themselves, and agree with him quickly while they are in the way with him. Let them become his servants, for they are undone if they remain his enemies.