1Ch 12:16

Vv 16-18: At this time David was probably in the stronghold of Ziklag, which the king of the Philistines had given to him. Here he received a welcome addition to his band. David was an exile; and it is not every man who cares to cast in his lot with a banished prince. He was an “outlaw”, and his king would have killed him with his own hand if he could have found opportunity. The many who were on Saul’s side, because of its convenience and ease, spoke very bitterly of David, and, wishing to curry favor with the king, they slandered him whenever possible and for the least offence. Few respectable people care to associate themselves with a person who is in evil repute, no matter whether he may be on the side of right. Many to whom he had done no harm were eager to betray David, and sell him into the hand of his enemy. So it has always been, that men seek their own gain, and do not really care to whom they “sell out”, so long as they get a good price. In these circumstances, it was no small thing for a band of men to unite themselves with a man with a price on his head. And there were potential betrayers all around: the men of Keilah plotted to deliver him up to Saul. The fortunes of David were at a low ebb, and so when these men came to David they did a very brave thing — which he would be sure to remember in the later days of his triumph and glory.

At the present moment our Lord Jesus, the Son of David, is “in hiding”, so to speak. Among the men of this world he is not yet enthroned, and they care little for him — if they even give him a passing thought. Though he is “king” in God’s heaven, yet before the eyes of the majority of men he is still despised and rejected. His people are yet a feeble few, and often in serious straits themselves; his kingdom is ridiculed, his claims are scoffed at by the intelligentsia, and his yoke — though easy and light — is rejected. This is an age of blasphemy and of rebuke for our Lord the King. And so they are the brave and the few, the band of brothers who will stand with Christ in the day of his exile. Men will be greatly rewarded in the future if they take up his cause now, and go forth to him outside the camp, bearing his reproach. Blessed are they who are not ashamed this day to bear the name of Christ, and to profess him in the sight and hearing of the world. They will be mine, he says, in the day when he assembles his “jewels”.

1Ch 12:17

WHEN MY HANDS ARE FREE FROM VIOLENCE; Given what we know of David’s life, and what we are told of his attitude, we see that the only way that he can make this statement about himself is by his faith in the grace and forgiveness of God. When our sins are forgiven by God, they are completely wiped away. God does not remember and bear a grudge like our fellow man might do. We can forget our past sins that are forgiven as if they never existed. Let us remember this and not be borne down by them.

1Ch 12:18

“God’s power was at work here. We know because we are told. But did Amasai know? I suspect not. This is God’s way of telling us that he was ensuring that David had support, even from the brethren of Saul, but also of showing us that He is behind it, orchestrating the events — a matter we do well to remember and always put our lives in His hands: Dan 4:17,25,32; Jer 27:5-7” (PC).

The Spirit of God: in Daniel (Dan 5:11); in Joseph (Gen 41:38); clothed Gideon (Jdg 6:34); clothed Amasai (1Ch 12:18); clothed Zechariah (2Ch 24:20); came upon Balaam (Num 24:2); came upon Saul (1Sa 10:10).

1Ch 9:1

1Ch 9: “The record of the heads of the families are set out in order: [1] The heads of families in Jerusalem: vv 1-3. [2] Those of Judah: vv 4-6. [3] Of Benjamin: vv 7-9. [4] Of the priests: vv 10-13. [5] Of the Levites: vv 14-16. [6] The organisation and duties of the porters [gatekeepers]: vv 17-29. [7] Levitical duties: vv 30-34. [8] Genealogy of the house of Saul: vv 35-55” (GEM).

1Ch 9:2

THE TEMPLE SERVANTS: Or “Nethinim” (AV). They are said specifically to be those “whom David and the princes had appointed for the service of the Levites” (Ezr 8:20), thus indicating both their realm of activity and their historical origin. In most of the occurrences they are listed with and after the Levites (cf 1Ch 9:2; Ezr 7:7; Neh 7:73). Because of this reference to the activity of David and their being joined with Solomon’s servants (Ezr 2:58; Neh 7:60; cf 1Ki 9:21) and the foreign names that they bear, it has been thought that they were foreigners, mostly captives of war, put into this service. For example, Mehunim (Ezr 2:50; Neh 7:52) may refer to those overcome by Uzziah (2Ch 26:7). Nephusim (Ezr 2:50; Neh 7:52) may refer to the Hagarite clan of Naphish (Gen 25:15; 1Ch 5:19). Because of the similarity of duty, some have sought their background in the Gibeonites, “hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God” (Jos 9:23,27) and also in the Midianites (Num 31:30,47). The correlation is probably no more than that of similarity of service, not direct relationship. Whatever may be the roots of their origin, they were treated as part of the people of God, at least as proselytes (Neh 10:28…). They are mentioned by name in the OT in post-Exilic times. From Babylon 612 returned, 392 with Zerubbabel (Ezr 2:58: Neh 7:60) a count which includes “the children of Solomon’s servants”) and 220 with Ezra (Ezr 8:20) as “ministers for the house of our God” from the place Casiphia (Ezr 8:17) “in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king (Ezr 7:7). Like other sacred ministers, they were exempted from taxation (Ezr 7:24).

1Ch 9:17

Vv 17-29: The porters (Heb sho’erim, gatekeepers) were not only porters, but guards as well, protecting the sacred edifice from pollution (Eze 44:7,23,24). They had their various courses appointed by lot (1Ch 26). They entered their service on the sabbath, and continued for a week (2Ki 11). Over them were the four keepers of the threshold [principal gatekeepers: v 26]. The porters ministered at the outside entrances. The keepers of the threshold were at the inner entrances. It was a very privileged position, protecting the sanctuary from those who wish to enter, and preventing those of a contrary nature. The responsibility was based on fellowship. David longed for such a privileged position (Psa 84:10).

1Ch 9:20

PHINEHAS SON OF ELEAZAR WAS IN CHARGE OF THE GATEKEEPERS: Phinehas seems to become something like the adoptive father of the sons of Korah — after Korah died trying to usurp the position of Phinehas, Aaron’s son.

1Ch 9:27

EACH MORNING: Manna given (Exo 16:21). The house of the LORD was opened (1Ch 9:27). Fire on the altar (Lev 6:12). Incense offered (Exo 30:7). Praise offered (1Ch 23:30). Service offered (here). Sacrifice presented (2Ch 2:4; 13:11). God visits (Job 7:18). God is their arm (Isa 33:2). His compassions new (Lam 3:23). The Philistines present themselves (1Sa 17:16). God silences the wicked (Psa 101:8). God dispenses justice (Zep 3:5). Rulers should administer justice (Jer 21:12).

1Ch 9:40

MERIB-BAAL (MEPHIBOSHETH): The treatment of the name “Baal” is probably an example of deliberate change, for theological reasons, by the scribes who copied out the scriptures. With personal names that included the word “Baal” (which could simply mean “master” or “lord”), the scribes deliberately replaced “Baal” with “Bosheth” (which means “shame”). To them the idol “Baal”, in all his many forms, was a “shameful thing”, and any passing allusion to him was to be avoided if possible. Hence, it is likely that Jonathan’s son was actually named “Meribbaal”, but later scribes made sure that the (by then) hated name of “Baal” was replaced — yielding “Mephibosheth” (cp 1Ch 8:34; 9:40 and 2Sa 9:6; 19:24; 21:7).

1Ch 10:1

Vv 1-14: The death of Saul at the hands of the Philistines. The book of Chronicles dismisses the whole of the reign of Saul in one ch. No mention of any of his activities. Chronicles is concerned with the line of David. Hence Saul is passed over so quickly.

1Ch 10:6

ALL HIS HOUSE DIED TOGETHER: 1Sa 31:6 says, “all his men”, ie those who immediately surrounded him in the battle. There were others, both of his sons and his troops, that managed to survive (2Sa 2:8; 21:8).

1Ch 10:7

THE PHILISTINES CAME AND OCCUPIED THEM: Now the Philistines were living in the very heartland of Israel (the valley of Jezreel). Cp 1Ch 22:18: by the end of David’s reign there was “rest on every side”; David had retaken these lands, and reorganized the kingdom (1Ch 27:1,25).

1Ch 10:11

Vv 11,12: The men of Jabesh Gilead had been delivered by Saul (1Sa 11:1-13); this explains their valiant actions.

1Ch 10:12

JABESH: Sig “dried up, withered”. Saul = the natural kingdom, which failed.

1Ch 10:13

SAUL DIED BECAUSE HE WAS UNFAITHFUL TO THE LORD: “This shows the nature of unforgivable sin. It is a matter of heart. No sin is any worse than any other in the sense that the smallest sin leaves us in need of God’s grace. It is certain that the sins which are recorded of David would prevent his entry into eternal life, were it not for the grace of God. So we have to conclude that it is not the presence or absence of sin which affects our salvation, but the attitude of humility and contrition which God requires, which was not present in Saul” (PC).

1Ch 10:14

INQUIRE: What looks to be a contradiction may be explained by recourse to the meaning of the underlying Hebrew words. In 1Ch 10:14, we are told that Saul “did NOT inquire of the LORD”, whereas in 1Sa 28:6, we are told that he DID “inquire”. The explanation is fairly simple: (1) The word translated “inquire” in 1Ch 10:14 is “darash”, which signifies “to follow after, and especially to worship”. (2) The word translated “inquire” in 1Sa 28:6 is “shaal”, which signifies “to request, or (even) to demand” (incidentally, it is related to the meaning of the name “Saul”).

So, Saul did “inquire” of the LORD in making requests or demands (1Sa 28:6), but he did NOT “inquire” of the LORD in the sense of truly seeking after Him (1Ch 10:14)! [However, Saul DOES “seek out diligently” (the Hebrew “darash”) the witch of Endor: 1Sa 28:7! Now there’s a sad commentary.]

1Ch 11:1

HEBRON: Sig “community, or alliance” — very appropriate in this context.

1Ch 11:2

AND THE LORD YOUR GOD SAID TO YOU, ‘YOU WILL SHEPHERD MY PEOPLE ISRAEL’: Even while Saul was nominally the ruler and David was in exile and hiding, it seems that David had been acting as a “shepherd” over the people: protecting those in the south from the Philistines, for example, and providing succour to others who were being oppressed by Saul.

1Ch 11:3

COMPACT: Heb “berith” = covenant.

1Ch 11:4

David did not take Jebus until 7 1/2 years after he had been king in Hebron (2Sa 2:11). David must have known that God had selected the area of Jerusalem for the place where His altar and temple would be situated.

1Ch 11:6

1Ch 11:6.

Joab accomplishes this by leading men up the water shaft: 2Sa 5:8.

1Ch 11:9

AND DAVID BECAME MORE AND MORE POWERFUL, BECAUSE THE LORD ALMIGHTY WAS WITH HIM: “David’s success is attributed directly to God. His life was in perspective. God was with him as he had not been with Saul. David’s attitude before God was, is seems, almost second to none (apart from Jesus, of course) and the result was a great deal of blessing. But let us remember the terrible sufferings he had too. We should not assume that God has deserted us when we go through the bad times. David is a great example to us: 2Sa 3:1; 5:10” (PC).

1Ch 11:15

VALLEY OF REPHAIM: Consistently translated in NIV. AV has “valley of the giants” (Jos 15:18; 18:16; Isa 17:5) or “valley of Rephaim” (2Sa 5:18,22; 23:13; 1Ch 11:15; 14:9; Isa 17:5).

1Ch 11:19

“There is something peculiarly touching and beautiful in the above scene, whether we contemplate the act of the three mighty men in procuring the water for David, or David’s act in pouring it out to the Lord. It is evident that David discerned, in an act of such uncommon devotedness, a sacrifice which none but the Lord Himself could duly appreciate. The odor of such a sacrifice was far too fragrant for him to interrupt it in its ascent to the throne of the God of Israel. Wherefore he, very properly and very graciously, allows it to pass him by, in order that it might go up to the One who alone was worthy to receive it, or able to appreciate it. All this reminds us, forcibly, of that beautiful compendium of Christian devotedness set forth in Phi 2:17,18: ‘Yea, and if I be poured out upon the sacrifice, and service of your faith, I joy and rejoice with you all; for this cause ye also joy and rejoice with me.’ In this passage, the apostle represents the Philippian saints in their character as priests, presenting a sacrifice and performing a priestly ministration to God; and such was the intensity of his self-forgetting devotedness, that he could rejoice in his being poured out as a drink-offering upon their sacrifice, so that all might ascend, in fragrant odor to God” (CHM, cited in Pink).

There is, perhaps, a New Testament echo of this incident: the “three mighty men” of Christ were Peter, James, and John; like David’s mighty men, they desired the kingdom and glory for their master. But the apostles did not really understand that Jesus must first “pour out” his life (cp Mat 16:21-23; 17:4; 19:27; 20:20-23) before he could drink of the cup of joy in his Father’s kingdom. So Jesus, who turned water into wine (blood) at Cana (John 2:8), did in fact pour out the “water”, or blood, of his own body, on the cross — like David, he could not drink fully of the joy until he had first experienced the sorrow (Heb 12:2).

1Ch 11:23

LIKE A WEAVER’S ROD: Not size but appearance and shape. A spear with a leash or cord, increasing leverage, and thus enabling the soldier to throw it a greater distance. Refd in 1Sa 17:7; 2Sa 21:19; 1Ch 20:5; 11:23.

1Ch 11:26

Vv 26-47: Cp list, 2Sa 23. The extra names here prob replaced those slain in battle or retired. This list may be at end of David’s reign, in ct 2Sa 23 at beginning.

1Ch 5:1

Cp 1Ch 26:10. Consider then how many times throughout the history of the patriarchs, God chooses one who is NOT the firstborn. All this, perhaps, is intended to point to Christ, the true “firstborn over all creation” (Col 1:15): no other “firstborns” could come close to doing what THIS firstborn did!

1Ch 5:2

AND A RULER CAME FROM HIM: “For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah” (Heb 7:14).

1Ch 5:5

BAAL: A peculiar name for any Jew!

1Ch 5:9

Reuben had many cattle — so they requested territory east of Jordan (Num 32:1).

1Ch 5:10

Cp vv 18-22.

1Ch 5:18

Vv 18-22: War against the Hagarites.

1Ch 5:19

JETUR, NAPHISH: Sons of Ishmael: Gen 25:15.

1Ch 5:22

MANY OTHERS FELL SLAIN, BECAUSE THE BATTLE WAS GOD’S: “Warrior, fighting under the banner of the Lord Jesus, observe this v with holy joy, for as it was in the days of old so is it now, if the war be of God the victory is sure. The sons of Reuben, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh could barely muster five and forty thousand fighting men, and yet in their war with the Hagarites, they slew ‘men, an hundred thousand’, ‘for they cried to God in the battle, and He was entreated of them, because they put their trust in Him.’

“The Lord saveth not by many nor by few; it is ours to go forth in Jehovah’s name if we be but a handful of men, for the Lord of Hosts is with us for our Captain. They did not neglect buckler, and sword, and bow, neither did they place their trust in these weapons; we must use all fitting means, but our confidence must rest in the Lord alone, for He is the sword and the shield of His people. The great reason of their extraordinary success lay in the fact that ‘the war was of God’.

“Beloved, in fighting with sin without and within, with error doctrinal or practical, with spiritual wickedness in high places or low places… you are waging Jehovah’s war, and unless He himself can be worsted, you need not fear defeat. Quail not before superior numbers, shrink not from difficulties or impossibilities, flinch not at wounds or death, smite with the two-edged sword of the Spirit, and the slain shall lie in heaps. The battle is the Lord’s and He will deliver His enemies into our hands. With steadfast foot, strong hand, dauntless heart, and flaming zeal, rush to the conflict, and the hosts of evil shall fly like chaff before the gale” (CHS).

1Ch 5:24

Other Manassites were “mighty men” under David (1Ch 12:21).

1Ch 5:26

KJV has “And the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul king of Assyria, AND the spirit of Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria…”

1Ch 6:1

1Ch 6: Tribe of Levi, family tree. The historian continues with the record of Levi, and the tribal responsibilities. Extra care was given to this genealogy for it was important for the returning priests to prove the fact of their position: (1) Levi is the father of Kohath, Gershom, and Merari. (2) Kohath is the father of Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel, as well as 9 of the 22 divisions of the Levites (1Ch 23:12-20). (3) Amram is the father of Moses and Aaron. (4) Aaron is the father of Eleazar and Ithamar; from Eleazar come 16 of the 24 divisions of priests; from Ithamar come 8 of the 24 divisions of priests (1Ch 24). (5) Izhar is the father of Heman (1Ch 6:33-38); from Heman come 14 of the 24 divisions of singers (1Ch 25:4). (6) Uzziel is the father of Elizaphan (Exo 6:22). (7) Gershom is the father of Asaph (1Ch 6:39-43); from Asaph come 4 of the 24 divisions of singers (1Ch 25:2). (8) Gershom is also the father of 9 of the 22 divisions of the Levites (1Ch 23:7-11). (9) Merari is the father of Ethan/Jeduthun (1Ch 6:44-47); from Ethan come 6 of the 24 divisions of singers (1Ch 25:3). (10) Merari is also the father of 4 of the 22 divisions of Levites (1Ch 23:21-24).

The above may be summarized in the following table:

1Ch 7:15

ZELOPHEHAD, WHO HAD ONLY DAUGHTERS: Cp Num 26:33; 27:1-7.

1Ch 7:21

EZER AND ELEAD WERE KILLED BY THE NATIVE-BORN MEN OF GATH, WHEN THEY WENT DOWN TO SEIZE THEIR LIVESTOCK: Ezer and Elead were men of Ephraim. “[They] had probably joined the families of their grandfather Joseph’s brothers, who had settled in Goshen, only to be slain there on the northeastern border of Egypt by Palestinian raiders who came down from their birthplace in Gath. (But Keil says that Ezer and Elead were killed when they were involved in cattle rustling. The pronouns [‘they’ and ‘their’] are ambiguous)” (EBC).

1Ch 8:13

BERIAH AND SHEMA… DROVE OUT THE INHABITANTS OF GATH: The Philistines control and influence extended beyond the Gaza strip and up the coastal plain and into the Jezreel valley at this time. This was also the case at the time of the death of Saul (1Sa 31).

1Ch 8:34

MERIB-BAAL (MEPHIBOSHETH): The treatment of the name “Baal” is probably an example of deliberate change, for theological reasons, by the scribes who copied out the scriptures. With personal names that included the word “Baal” (which could simply mean “master” or “lord”), the scribes deliberately replaced “Baal” with “Bosheth” (which means “shame”). To them the idol “Baal”, in all his many forms, was a “shameful thing”, and any passing allusion to him was to be avoided if possible. Hence, it is likely that Jonathan’s son was actually named “Meribbaal”, but later scribes made sure that the (by then) hated name of “Baal” was replaced — yielding “Mephibosheth” (cp 1Ch 8:34; 9:40 and 2Sa 9:6; 19:24; 21:7).

1Ch 2:3

SHELAH: His genealogy is in 1Ch 4:21-23.

ER, JUDAH’S FIRSTBORN, WAS WICKED IN THE LORD’S SIGHT; SO THE LORD PUT HIM TO DEATH: God also slew Onan, for refusing to perform the duty of the surviving brother and raise up seed to Er (Gen 38:2-10), but that is not recorded here. Why is one’s death mentioned, but not the other’s?

1Ch 2:6

ETHAN, HEMAN, CALCOL AND DARDA: These last four appear to be descendants of Zerah — wise men contemporary with Solomon (1Ki 4:31). Heman was also (?) a grandson of Samuel (1Ch 6:33,34), a Levite assigned to Judah.

1Ch 2:7

ACHAR: Called “Achan” in Jos 7: this is the man of Judah who secretly appropriated for himself some of the spoils of war at the fall of Jericho (Jos 7:1-26; 22:20). Yahweh revealed to Joshua that Israel’s defeat at Ai was caused by the presence of sin in the camp. When the sacred lot specified Achan as the offender, he confessed to coveting, stealing, and concealing in his tent fine clothing, silver, and gold, all of which was under the sacrificial ban, “devoted to the Lord for destruction”. Achan and his family were stoned to death, and their bodies and possessions were burned in the valley of Achor (“troubling”: same word as “Achar” here) south of Jericho.

Was Achan’s name changed — posthumously — to Achar, matching the name of his place of burial, a word which signifies “trouble” or “troubler”?

This incident, in Josh 7, illustrates the truth of the proverb: “A greedy man brings trouble [Heb ‘akar’] to his family” (Pro 15:27).

1Ch 2:9

JERAHMEEL: See vv 25-55.

RAM: See vv 10-17.

CALEB: Or “Chelubai”: see vv 18-24,42; 1Ch 4:15.

1Ch 2:10

Vv 10-17: From Ram to David, the Messianic line.

AMMINADAB: Aaron married Elisheba daughter of Amminadab (Exo 6:23).

NAHSHON: Head of the tribe of Judah in Moses’ day: Num 1:7; 2:3; 7:12,17; 10:14.

1Ch 2:15

THE SEVENTH DAVID: Eight sons are mentioned in 1Sa 17:12. Perhaps one died, or was son of a concubine.

1Ch 2:17

This line continues with David in 1Ch 3:1-10.

1Ch 2:33

PELETH: Ancestor of Pelethites: 2Sa 15:18; BS 10:23.

1Ch 2:36

ZABAD: One of David’s mighty men: 1Ch 11:41.

1Ch 2:38

AZARIAH: One of captains of Jehoiada the priest: 2Ch 23:1.

1Ch 2:41

ELISHAMA: Poss Jehoiakim’s scribe (Jer 36:12).

1Ch 3:1

“What’s in a name? These early chapters in Chronicles are daunting to many as they check their daily readings. The names are hard to pronounce; difficult to read; and often name people completely unknown. What a difference, if it were our personal names found in the record, especially if they were related to the warriors of David, or those of his household! In this chapter the sons of David are revealed: [1] those born in Hebron (vv 1-4), and [2] those in Jerusalem (vv 5-9). Antitypically, the greater David (Yahshua the Anointed) will acknowledge his ‘seed’ (the saints) when he is revealed to them upon his return; and later when established in Jerusalem (the nations who accept his rulership). So the record reveals: [3] The line of David through Solomon to Zedekiah (vv 10-16). [4] The line of David from Zedekiah to Zerubbabel (vv 17-19a). Soon the names will be revealed, as the Judgment Seat of the Lord Jesus opens the books of life, and the records of the past and present. As the spiritual children of David, it is our privilege to develop his characteristics in our lives, and anticipate standing with him in the joy of immortality” (GEM).

Six sons of David, born in Hebron: the same as list in 2Sa 3:2-5, with one exception — “Daniel”.

JEZREEL… CARMEL: Both of these were villages of Judah, not the better-known northern sites (Jos 15:55,56).

DANIEL: Or “Chileab” (AV mg) (2Sa 3:3): a very slight corruption of the same name.

1Ch 3:2

TALMAI KING OF GESHUR: The mention that Absalom’s mother was the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur explains why Absalom fled to Geshur after he had killed Amnon: 2Sa 13:37.

1Ch 3:5

Vv 5-9: 13 sons of David, born in Jerusalem: