1 Chronicles 18

In this Chapter is related the very same, that is recorded 2 Sam.8.

1. Now after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them; and he took Gath, and her depensdant places, out of the hand of the Philistines. [That which tendeth to the further exposition of this Chapter, thou mayest find 2 Samuel, chapter 8.]

2. He smote also the Moabites: so that the Moabites became Davids servants, bringing Presents. [To wit, yearly for a token of subjection.]

3. David smote also Hadarezer [Oth. Called Hadad-Ezer, 2 Sam. Chap.8. ver.3,5.] King of Zoba unto Hamath, when he [some do here understand David. Others, Hadar-Ezer] went to place his hand [that is, his camp. Compare 3 Sam.chap.8.on ver.3.] by the river Phrath.

4. And David took from him a thousand charets, and seven thousand horsemen, and twenty thousand foot-men, [See the expounding or comparing of these words with that which is recorded 2 Sam.8.4. in the exposition there] and David houghed all the charet-(horses:) but he [to wit, David] reserved an hundred charets of them.

5. And the Syrians of Damascus [Otherwise called Damascus: so likewise ver.6.] came to help Hadarezer, King of Zoba: but David smote of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.

6. And David put (Garison) [This is here inserted out of 2 Sam.8.6.] in Syria of Damascus, so that the Syrians became Davids servants, [Understand that they were made tributary] bringing gifts: and the LORD preserved David [that is, gave salvation, victory unto David] whither so ever he went.

7. And David Took the golden shields, that were with Hadarezer servants: [Hebr. That were on, or, with Haderezer servants] and he brought them to Jerusalem.

8. Also David took very much copper from Tibchath, and from Chun, [These cities are called Betarch, and Berothai, 2 Sam.8.8.] cities of Hadarezer: whereof Salomon made the copper sea, [Understand here by the sea, a huge great vessels, cast of brass metal, or copper, called Sea by the reason of abundance of water that it contained] and the pillars, and the copper vessels.

9. When the King of Hamath heard that David had smitten all the host of Hadarezer the King of Zoba.

10. Then he sent Hadoram [He is called Joram, 2 Sam.8.10.] his son to King David, toask him concerning (his) welfare, and to bless him, because he had fought with Hadarezer, and had smitten him, [That is, to visit, and to congratulate him, because o the victory that he had obtained] (for Hadarezer made war against Tohu) and all [that is, all manner of] golden, and silver, and copper vessels.

11. These also King David hallowed unto the LORD with the silver, and the gold which he had brought with (him) from all the Heathen: [Intimating, that David dedicated unto God as well all the Presents that Tohu sent him, as that which he had gotten by conquest of his enemies] from the enemies, and from the Moabites, and from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines, and from the Amalekites.

12. Likewise Absai [He was the brother of Joab, and is commonly called Abisai] the son of Zeruja [she was David sister, as appeareth above chap.2.ver.16.] smote of the Edomites [2 Sam.8.13. the Syrians are named, not the Edomites. These two Nations combined together; and the camp of the one was smitten, as well as the camp of the other. See further Psal.60.on v.2.] in the valley of salt eighteen thousand: [this heroical fact that is here related, is 2 Sam.8.13. ascribed to David himself, that being usually ascribed unto Kings in War, which is done by their Officers or Commanders.]

13. And he put garrison in Edom, so that all the Edomites became Davids servants: and the LORD preserved David whither so ever he went.

14. So David reigned over all Israel: and he did judgement and justice [See concerning this phrase, Genes.18.v.19.] unto all his people.

15. Now Joab the son of Zeruja was over the host; and Josaphat the son of Ahilud was Chancellor. [See the annotate. 2 Sam.chap.8.v.16. and 1 Kings chap.4. verse 3.]

16. And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Abimelech, [He is called Abimelech, 2 Sam.8.17.] the son of Abjathar, were Priests, and Susa (was) Scribe. [He is called Seraja, 2 Sam.8.17. or it may be, that Seraja being dead, this Susa was made Scribed or Clark in his stead.]

17. And Benaja the son of Jojada was over the Crethi and Plethi: but the sons of David were the first at the Kings hand. [That is, they were the chiefest Commanders or Officers that the King used in the chiefest matters of Government, that he might so sit and prepare them for the managing of the Affairs of the Kingdom, and in matters of state. See 2 Sam.8.18.]