Notes on First Chronicles

Notes on First Chronicles
From the Original 1599 Geneva Bible Notes

1Ch 1:1

1:1 Adam, {a} Sheth, Enosh,

The Argument - The laws comprehend both these books in one, which the Grecians because of the length, divide into two: and they are called Chronicles, because they note briefly the history from Adam to the return from their captivity in Babylon. But these are not the books of Chronicles which are mentioned in the books of the kings of Judah and Israel, which set forth the story of both kingdoms, and later perished in the captivity, but an abridgement of the same, and were gathered by Ezra, as the Jews write after their return from Babylon. This first book contains a brief rehearsal of the children of Adam to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the twelve patriarchs, chiefly of Judah, and the reign of David, because Christ came from him according to the flesh. Therefore it sets forth more amply his acts both concerning civil government, and also the administration and care of things concerning religion, for the good success of which he rejoices and gives thanks to the Lord.

(a) Meaning, that Seth was Adam's son, and Enoch was Seth's son.

1Ch 1:4

1:4 Noah, {b} Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

(b) It would have been sufficient to have named Shem of whom came Abraham and David, but because the world was restored by these three, mention is also made of Ham and Japheth.

1Ch 1:10

1:10 And Cush begat {c} Nimrod: he began to be mighty upon the earth.

1Ch 1:17

1:17 The sons of Shem; Elam, and Asshur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and {d} Aram, and Uz, and Hul, and Gether, and Meshech.

(d) Of whom came the Syrians, and therefore they are called Amramites throughout all scripture.

1Ch 1:18

1:18 And Arphaxad begat Shelah, and Shelah begat {e} Eber.

(e) Of him came the Hebrews who were later called Israelites of Israel, who was Jacob and Jews of Judah because of the excellency of that tribe.

1Ch 1:24

1:24 {f} Shem, {g} Arphaxad, Shelah,

(f) He repeats Shem again because he would come to the stock of Abraham.
(g) Who came from Shem, and of him Shelah.

1Ch 1:32

1:32 Now the sons of Keturah, Abraham's {h} concubine: she bare Zimran, and Jokshan, and Medan, and Midian, and Ishbak, and Shuah. And the sons of Jokshan; Sheba, and Dedan.

(h) Read Ge 25:4.

1Ch 1:35

1:35 The sons of Esau; {i} Eliphaz, Reuel, and Jeush, and Jaalam, and Korah.

(i) These were born from three different mothers, read Ge 36:4.

1Ch 1:36

1:36 The sons of Eliphaz; Teman, and Omar, Zephi, and Gatam, Kenaz, and {k} Timna, and Amalek.

(k) Which was Eliphaz's concubine, read Ge 36:12.

1Ch 1:38

1:38 And the sons of {l} Seir; Lotan, and Shobal, and Zibeon, and Anah, and Dishon, and Ezer, and Dishan.

(l) He is also called Seir the Horite, who inhabited mount Seir, Ge 36:20.

1Ch 1:43

1:43 Now these [are] the {m} kings that reigned in the land of Edom before [any] king reigned over the children of Israel; Bela the son of Beor: and the name of his city [was] Dinhabah.

(m) He makes mention of the kings that came from Esau according to God's promise made to Abraham concerning him, that kings would come from him. These eight kings reigned one after another in Idumea to the time of David who conquered their country.

1Ch 1:44

1:44 And when Bela was dead, Jobab the son of Zerah of {n} Bozrah reigned in his stead.

(n) Which was the principal city of the Edomites.

1Ch 2:3

2:3 The sons of {a} Judah; Er, and Onan, and Shelah: [which] three were born unto him of the daughter of Shua the Canaanitess. And Er, the firstborn of Judah, was evil in the sight of the LORD; and he slew him.

(a) Though Judah was not Jacob's eldest son, yet he first begins with him, because he would come to the genealogy of David, of whom came Christ.

1Ch 2:6

2:6 And the sons of Zerah; Zimri, and {b} Ethan, and Heman, and Calcol, and Dara: five of them in all.

(b) Of these read 1Ki 4:31.

1Ch 2:9

2:9 The sons also of Hezron, that were born unto him; Jerahmeel, and {c} Ram, and Chelubai.

1Ch 2:10

2:10 And Ram begat Amminadab; and Amminadab begat Nahshon, {d} prince of the children of Judah;

(d) That is, chief of the family.

1Ch 2:18

2:18 And {e} Caleb the son of Hezron begat [children] of Azubah [his] wife, and of Jerioth: her sons [are] these; Jesher, and Shobab, and Ardon.

(e) Who was called Chelubai the son of Hezron, 1Ch 2:9.

1Ch 2:21

2:21 And afterward Hezron went in to the daughter of Machir the father of {f} Gilead, whom he married when he [was] threescore years old; and she bare him Segub.

(f) Who was prince of mount Gilead, Nu 32:40.

1Ch 2:23

2:23 And he took Geshur, and Aram, with the towns of Jair, {g} from them, with Kenath, and the towns thereof, [even] threescore cities. All these [belonged to] the sons of Machir the father of Gilead.

(g) That is, the Geshurites and Syrians took the towns from Jair's children.

1Ch 2:24

2:24 And after that Hezron was dead in {h} Calebephratah, then Abiah Hezron's wife bare him Ashur the {i} father of Tekoa.

(h) Which was a town named for the husband and wife, also called Bethlehem Ephratah.
(i) Meaning, the chief and prince.

1Ch 2:31

2:31 And the sons of Appaim; Ishi. And the sons of Ishi; Sheshan. And the children of Sheshan; {k} Ahlai.

(k) Who died while his father was alive, and therefore it is said in 1Ch 2:34 that Sheshan had no sons.

1Ch 2:42

2:42 Now the sons of Caleb the brother of Jerahmeel [were], Mesha his firstborn, which was the {l} father of Ziph; and the sons of Mareshah the father of Hebron.

(l) That is, the chief governor or prince of the Ziphims, because the prince should have a fatherly care and affection for his people.

1Ch 2:46

2:46 And Ephah, Caleb's {m} concubine, bare Haran, and Moza, and Gazez: and Haran begat Gazez.

(m) The difference between the wife and the concubine was that the wife was taken with a ceremony of marriage and her children inherited, while the concubine had no marriage ceremony, neither did her children inherit, but had a portion of goods or money given to them.

1Ch 2:54

2:54 The sons of Salma; Bethlehem, and the Netophathites, Ataroth, the {n} house of Joab, and half of the Manahethites, the Zorites.

(n) The chief and principle of the house of Joab.

1Ch 2:55

2:55 And the families of the {o} scribes which dwelt at Jabez; the Tirathites, the Shimeathites, [and] Suchathites. These [are] the {p} Kenites that came of Hemath, the father of the house of Rechab.

(o) Who were men learned and expert in the law.
(p) Read Nu 10:29, Jud 1:16.

1Ch 3:1

3:1 Now these were the sons of {a} David, which were born unto him in Hebron; the firstborn Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; the second {b} Daniel, of Abigail the Carmelitess:

(a) He returns to the genealogy of David, to show that Christ came from his stock.
(b) Who in 2Sa 3:3 is called Chileab, born of her that was Nabal's wife the Carmelite.

1Ch 3:5

3:5 And these were born unto him in Jerusalem; Shimea, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon, four, of {c} Bathshua the daughter of Ammiel:

1Ch 3:6

3:6 Ibhar also, and {d} Elishama, and Eliphelet,

(d) Elishama, or Elishua, 2Sa 5:15 and Eliphelet died, and David named those sons who were born next by the same names; in the book of kings his living children are mentioned and here both they that were alive and dead.

1Ch 3:15

3:15 And the sons of Josiah [were], the {e} firstborn Johanan, the second Jehoiakim, the third Zedekiah, the fourth Shallum.

(e) So called because he was preferred for the royal dignity before his brother Jehoiakim who was the elder.

1Ch 3:19

3:19 And the sons of Pedaiah [were], {f} Zerubbabel, and Shimei: and the sons of Zerubbabel; Meshullam, and Hananiah, and Shelomith their sister:

(f) Matthew says that Zerubbabel was the son of Shealtiel, meaning that he was his nephew according to the Hebrew speech: for he was Pedaiah's son.

1Ch 3:22

3:22 And the sons of Shechaniah; Shemaiah: and the sons of Shemaiah; Hattush, and Igeal, and Bariah, and Neariah, and Shaphat, {g} six.

(g) So that Shemaiah was Shechaniah's natural son, and the other five his nephews and in all there were six.

1Ch 4:1

4:1 The {a} sons of Judah; Pharez, Hezron, and Carmi, and Hur, and Shobal.

(a) Meaning, they came from Judah, as nephews and kinsmen: for only Pharez was his natural son.

1Ch 4:4

4:4 And Penuel the father of Gedor, and Ezer the father of Hushah. These [are] the sons of Hur, the {b} firstborn of Ephratah, the father of Bethlehem.

(b) The first born of his mother, and not the eldest of his father.

1Ch 4:9

4:9 And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name {c} Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow.

1Ch 4:10

4:10 And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and {d} that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep [me] from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.

(d) It is to be understood that then he would accomplish his vow which he made.

1Ch 4:14

4:14 And Meonothai begat Ophrah: and Seraiah begat Joab, the {e} father of the valley of Charashim; for they were craftsmen.

(e) The Lord of the valley where the artificers worked.

1Ch 4:15

4:15 And the sons of Caleb the son of {f} Jephunneh; Iru, Elah, and Naam: and the sons of Elah, even Kenaz.

(f) Called also Esrom.

1Ch 4:23

4:23 These [were] the potters, and those that dwelt among plants and hedges: {g} there they dwelt with the king for his work.

(g) They were David's gardeners and served him in his works.

1Ch 4:24

4:24 The sons of Simeon [were], Nemuel, and Jamin, Jarib, Zerah, [and] {h} Shaul:

(h) His son Obed is omitted here.

1Ch 4:28

4:28 And they dwelt at {i} Beersheba, and Moladah, and Hazarshual,

(i) These cities belonged to Judah, Jos 19:2 , and were given to the tribe of Simeon.

1Ch 4:31

4:31 And at Bethmarcaboth, and Hazarsusim, and at Bethbirei, and at Shaaraim. These [were] their cities unto the reign of {k} David.

(k) Then David restored them to the tribe of Judah.

1Ch 4:39

4:39 And they {l} went to the entrance of Gedor, [even] unto the east side of the valley, to seek pasture for their flocks.

(l) For the tribe of Simeon was so great in number, that in the time of Hezekiah they sought new dwellings to Gedor, which is in the tribe of Dan.

1Ch 4:43

4:43 And they smote the rest of the Amalekites that were {m} escaped, and dwelt there unto this day.

(m) And were not slain by Saul and David.

1Ch 5:1

5:1 Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he [was] the firstborn; but, forasmuch as he defiled his father's bed, his birthright was given unto the {a} sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright.

(a) Because they were made two tribes, they had a double portion.

1Ch 5:2

5:2 For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him [came] {b} the chief ruler; but the birthright [was] Joseph's:)

(b) That is, he was the chiefest of all the tribes according to Jacob's prophecy, Ge 49:8 , and because Christ would come from him.

1Ch 5:6

5:6 Beerah his son, whom Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria {c} carried away [captive]: he [was] prince of the Reubenites.

1Ch 5:8

5:8 And Bela the son of Azaz, the son of Shema, the son of Joel, who dwelt in {d} Aroer, even unto Nebo and Baalmeon:

(d) These places were beyond Jordan toward the east in the land given to the Reubenites.

1Ch 5:10

5:10 And in the days of Saul they made war with the {e} Hagarites, who fell by their hand: and they dwelt in their tents throughout all the east [land] of Gilead.

(e) The Ishmaelites who came from Hagar Abraham's concubine.

1Ch 5:16

5:16 And they dwelt in Gilead in {f} Bashan, and in her towns, and in all the suburbs of Sharon, upon their borders.

(f) Both the whole country and one particular city were called Bashan.

1Ch 5:19

5:19 And they made war with the Hagarites, with {g} Jetur, and Nephish, and Nodab.

(g) These twelve were the sons of Ishmael, Ge 25:15.

1Ch 5:20

5:20 And they were {h} helped against them, and the Hagarites were delivered into their hand, and all that [were] with them: for they cried to God in the battle, and he was intreated of them; because they put their trust in him.

(h) That is, by the Lord who gave them the victory.

1Ch 5:22

5:22 For there fell down many slain, because the war [was] of God. And they dwelt in their steads until the {i} captivity.

(i) Meaning, the captivity of the ten tribes under Tiglath Pileser.

1Ch 5:23

5:23 And the children of the half tribe of Manasseh dwelt in the land: they increased from Bashan unto {k} Baalhermon and Senir, and unto mount Hermon.

(k) Otherwise called Baal-gad.

1Ch 5:26

5:26 And the God of Israel {l} stirred up the spirit of Pul king of Assyria, and the spirit of Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria, and he carried them away, even the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh, and brought them unto Halah, and Habor, and Hara, and to the river Gozan, unto this day.

(l) Thus God stirred up the wicked and used them as instruments to execute his just judgment against sinners, although they were led by malice and ambition.

1Ch 6:8

6:8 And Ahitub begat {a} Zadok, and Zadok begat Ahimaaz,

(a) Who was high priest after Abiathar was deposed, according to the prophecy of Eli the priest, 1Sa 2:31,35.

1Ch 6:10

6:10 And Johanan begat Azariah, (he [it is] that executed the {b} priest's office in the temple that Solomon built in Jerusalem:)

(b) And valiantly resisted king Uzziah, who would have usurped the priest's office 2Ch 26:17,18.

1Ch 6:15

6:15 And {c} Jehozadak went [into captivity], when the LORD carried away Judah and Jerusalem by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar.

1Ch 6:22

6:22 The sons of Kohath; {d} Amminadab his son, Korah his son, Assir his son,

(d) Who seems to be called Izhar, Ex 6:21.

1Ch 6:28

6:28 And the sons of Samuel; the firstborn {e} Vashni, and Abiah.

(e) Who is also called Joel, 1Sa 8:2, 1Ch 6:33.

1Ch 6:31

6:31 And these [are they] whom David set over the service of song in the house of the LORD, after that the ark had {f} rest.

(f) After it was brought to the place where the temple would be built and was no longer carried to and fro.

1Ch 6:39

6:39 And his brother {h} Asaph, who stood on his right hand, [even] Asaph the son of Berachiah, the son of Shimea,

(h) Meaning, the son of Heman, 1Ch 6:33.

1Ch 6:48

6:48 Their {i} brethren also the Levites [were] {k} appointed unto all manner of service of the tabernacle of the house of God.

(i) The Levites are called the singers brothers because they came from the same stock.
(k) Read Nu 4:4.

1Ch 6:54

6:54 Now these [are] their {l} dwelling places throughout their castles in their coasts, of the sons of Aaron, of the families of the Kohathites: for theirs was the {m} lot.

(l) Or, cities which were given to the Levites.
(m) They were first appointed, and prepared for.

1Ch 6:55

6:55 And they gave them {n} Hebron in the land of Judah, and the suburbs thereof round about it.

(n) Which was also called Kirjatharba, Ge 23:2, Jos 21:11.

1Ch 6:57

6:57 And to the sons of Aaron they gave the cities of Judah, [namely], Hebron, [the city] of {o} refuge, and Libnah with her suburbs, and Jattir, and Eshtemoa, with their suburbs,

(o) That he that had killed a man might flee to it for help till his case was tried, De 19:2.

1Ch 6:58

6:58 And {p} Hilen with her suburbs, Debir with her suburbs,

(p) Which Joshua called Holon, Jos 15:51,21:15.

1Ch 6:60

6:60 And out of the tribe of Benjamin; Geba with her suburbs, and {q} Alemeth with her suburbs, and Anathoth with her suburbs. All their cities throughout their families [were] thirteen cities.

(q) Or, Almon Jos 21:18.

1Ch 6:61

6:61 And unto the sons of {r} Kohath, [which were] left of the family of that tribe, [were cities given] out of the half tribe, [namely, out of] the half [tribe] of Manasseh, by lot, ten cities.

(r) That is, they gave a portion to the Kohathites, who were the remnant of the tribe of Levi, out of the half tribe of Manasseh and out of Ephraim, 1Ch 6:66.

1Ch 6:71

6:71 Unto the sons of {s} Gershom [were given] out of the family of the half tribe of Manasseh, Golan in Bashan with her suburbs, and Ashtaroth with her suburbs:

(s) Who in the first verse is also called Gershon.

1Ch 7:1

7:1 Now the sons of Issachar [were], Tola, and Puah, {a} Jashub, and Shimron, four.

(a) Who also is called Job, Ge 46:13.

1Ch 7:2

7:2 And the sons of Tola; Uzzi, and Rephaiah, and Jeriel, and Jahmai, and Jibsam, and Shemuel, heads of their father's house, [to wit], of Tola: [they were] valiant men of might in their generations; {b} whose number [was] in the days of David two and twenty thousand and six hundred.

(b) That is, their number was found to be this big when David counted the people, 2Sa 24:1.

1Ch 7:3

7:3 And the sons of Uzzi; Izrahiah: and the sons of Izrahiah; Michael, and Obadiah, and Joel, Ishiah, {c} five: all of them chief men.

1Ch 7:6

7:6 [The sons] of Benjamin; Bela, and Becher, and {d} Jediael, {e} three.

(d) Also called Ashbel, Ge 46:21, Nu 26:38.
(e) Who were the chief: or else there were seven in all as it appears in Ge 46:21.

1Ch 7:12

7:12 Shuppim also, and Huppim, the children of Ir, [and] Hushim, the sons of {f} Aher.

(f) Meaning that he was not the son of Benjamin, but of Dan Ge 46:23.

1Ch 7:13

7:13 The sons of Naphtali; Jahziel, and Guni, and Jezer, and Shallum, {g} the sons of Bilhah.

(g) These came from Dan and Naphtali, who were the sons of Bilhah, Ge 46:23,24,25.

1Ch 7:18

7:18 And {h} his sister Hammoleketh bare Ishod, and Abiezer, and Mahalah.

(h) Meaning, the sister of Gilead.

1Ch 7:21

7:21 And Zabad his son, and Shuthelah his son, and Ezer, and Elead, whom the men of {i} Gath [that were] born in [that] land slew, because they came down to take away their cattle.

(i) Which was one of the five principal cities of the Philistines and who slew the Ephraimites.

1Ch 7:25

7:25 And Rephah [was] his {k} son, also Resheph, and Telah his son, and Tahan his son,

(k) That is, of Ephraim.

1Ch 8:1

8:1 Now Benjamin {a} begat Bela his firstborn, Ashbel the second, and Aharah the third,

(a) He continues in the description of the tribe of Benjamin, because his purpose is to set forth the genealogy of Saul.

1Ch 8:6

8:6 And these [are] the sons of Ehud: these are the heads of the fathers of the inhabitants of Geba, and {b} they removed them to Manahath:

(b) Meaning, the inhabitants of the city of Geba.

1Ch 8:7

8:7 And Naaman, and Ahiah, and Gera, he removed them, and {c} begat Uzza, and Ahihud.

1Ch 8:8

8:8 And Shaharaim begat [children] in the country of Moab, after he had sent them {d} away; Hushim and Baara [were] his wives.

(d) After he had put away his two wives.

1Ch 8:28

8:28 These [were] heads of the {e} fathers, by their generations, chief [men]. These dwelt in Jerusalem.

(e) The chief of the tribe of Benjamin, who dwelt in Jerusalem.

1Ch 8:33

8:33 And {f} Ner begat Kish, and Kish begat Saul, and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchishua, and Abinadab, and {g} Eshbaal.

(f) Who in 1Sa 9:2 is called Abiel.
(g) He is likewise called Mephibosheth, 2Sa 9:6.

1Ch 8:34

8:34 And the son of Jonathan [was] {h} Meribbaal; and Meribbaal begat Micah.

(h) He is also called Mephibosheth, 2Sa 9:6.

1Ch 9:1

9:1 So all Israel were reckoned by genealogies; and, behold, they [were] written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah, [who] were {a} carried away to Babylon for their transgression.

(a) Until now he has described their genealogies before they went into captivity, and now he describes their history after their return.

1Ch 9:2

9:2 Now the first inhabitants that [dwelt] in their possessions in their cities [were], the Israelites, the priests, Levites, and the {b} Nethinims.

(b) Meaning, the Gibeonites, who served in the temple, read Jos 9:23.

1Ch 9:11

9:11 And Azariah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the {c} ruler of the house of God;

1Ch 9:13

9:13 And their brethren, heads of the house of their fathers, a thousand and seven hundred and threescore; very able men for the {d} work of the service of the house of God.

(d) To serve in the temple, every one according to his office.

1Ch 9:18

9:18 Who hitherto [waited] in the {e} king's gate eastward: they [were] porters in the companies of the children of Levi.

(e) So called because the king came into the temple by it, and not the common people.

1Ch 9:19

9:19 And Shallum the son of Kore, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, and his brethren, of the house of his father, the Korahites, [were] over the work of the service, keepers of the gates of the {f} tabernacle: and their fathers, [being] over the host of the LORD, [were] keepers of the entry.

(f) Their charge was that no one should enter those places, which were only appointed for the priests to minister in.

1Ch 9:25

9:25 And their brethren, [which were] in their villages, [were] to come after {g} seven days from time to time with them.

(g) They served weekly, as in Ex 29:30.

1Ch 9:29

9:29 [Some] of them also [were] appointed to oversee the vessels, and all the instruments of the sanctuary, and the fine {h} flour, and the wine, and the oil, and the frankincense, and the spices.

(h) Of which the meat offering was made, Le 2:8.

1Ch 9:33

9:33 And these [are] the singers, chief of the fathers of the Levites, [who remaining] in the chambers {i} [were] free: for they were employed in [that] work day and night.

(i) But were continually occupied in singing praises to God.

1Ch 9:42

9:42 And Ahaz begat {k} Jarah; and Jarah begat Alemeth, and Azmaveth, and Zimri; and Zimri begat Moza;

(k) Who was also called Jehoiada, 1Ch 8:36.

1Ch 10:10

10:10 And they put his armour in the house of their gods, and fastened his head in the temple of {a} Dagon.

(a) Which was the idol of the Philistines, and from the belly downward had the form of a fish, and upward of a man.

1Ch 11:1

11:1 Then all Israel {a} gathered themselves to David unto Hebron, saying, Behold, we [are] thy bone and thy flesh.

(a) This was after the death of Ishbosheth Saul's son, when David had reigned over Judah seven years and six months in Hebron, 2Sa 5:5.

1Ch 11:11

11:11 And this [is] the number of the mighty men whom David had; Jashobeam, an Hachmonite, the {b} chief of the captains: he lifted up his spear against three hundred slain [by him] at one time.

(b) Meaning, the most excellent and best esteemed for his valiantry: some read, the chief of the princes.

1Ch 11:14

11:14 And they set themselves in the midst of [that] parcel, {c} and delivered it, and slew the Philistines; and the LORD saved [them] by a great deliverance.

1Ch 11:15

11:15 Now three of the {d} thirty captains went down to the rock to David, into the cave of Adullam; and the host of the Philistines encamped in the valley of Rephaim.

(d) That is, Eleazar and his two companions.

1Ch 11:19

11:19 And said, My God forbid it me, that I should do this thing: shall I drink the {e} blood of these men that have put their lives in jeopardy? for with [the jeopardy of] their lives they brought it. Therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mightiest.

(e) That is, this water, for which they risked their lives.

1Ch 11:25

11:25 Behold, he was honourable among the thirty, but attained not to the {f} [first] three: and David set him over his guard.

(f) Meaning, those three who brought the water to David.

1Ch 11:27

11:27 {g} Shammoth the Harorite, Helez the Pelonite,

(g) Called also Shammah, 2Sa 23:25.

1Ch 11:29

11:29 {h} Sibbecai the Hushathite, Ilai the Ahohite,

(h) He is also called Mebunnai, 2Sa 23:27.

1Ch 12:1

12:1 Now these [are] they that came to David to {a} Ziklag, while he yet kept himself close because of Saul the son of Kish: and they [were] among the mighty men, helpers of the war.

(a) To take his part against Saul: who persecuted him.

1Ch 12:2

12:2 [They were] armed with bows, and could use both the right hand and the left in [hurling] stones and [shooting] arrows out of a bow, [even] of Saul's {b} brethren of Benjamin.

(b) That is, of the tribe of Benjamin, of which Saul was, and in which were excellent throwers with slings, Jud 20:16.

1Ch 12:8

12:8 And of the Gadites there separated themselves unto David into the hold to the wilderness men of might, [and] men of war [fit] for the battle, that could handle shield and buckler, whose faces [were like] the faces of {c} lions, and [were] as swift as the roes upon the mountains;

1Ch 12:15

12:15 These [are] they that went over Jordan in the {d} first month, when it had overflown all his banks; and they put to flight all [them] of the valleys, [both] toward the east, and toward the west.

(d) Which the Hebrews called Nisan, or Abib, containing half March and half April, when Jordan was wont to overflow its banks, read Jos 3:15.

1Ch 12:18

12:18 Then the {e} spirit came upon Amasai, [who was] chief of the captains, [and he said], Thine [are we], David, and on thy side, thou son of Jesse: peace, peace [be] unto thee, and peace [be] to thine helpers; for thy God helpeth thee. Then David received them, and made them captains of the band.

(e) The spirit of boldness and courage moved him to speak thus.

1Ch 12:19

12:19 And there fell [some] of Manasseh to David, when he came with the Philistines against Saul to battle: but they {f} helped them not: for the lords of the Philistines upon advisement sent him away, saying, He will fall to his master Saul to [the jeopardy of] our heads.

(f) They came only to help David, and not to help the Philistines, who were enemies of their country.

1Ch 12:21

12:21 And they helped David against the {g} band [of the rovers]: for they [were] all mighty men of valour, and were captains in the host.

(g) That is, of the Amalekites who had burned the city of Ziklag, 1Sa 30:1,9.

1Ch 12:22

12:22 For at [that] time day by day there came to David to help him, until [it was] a great host, like the host of {h} God.

(h) Meaning, mighty or strong, for the Hebrews say a thing is of God when it is excellent.

1Ch 12:27

12:27 And Jehoiada [was] the leader of the {i} Aaronites, and with him [were] three thousand and seven hundred;

(i) Of the Levites who came by the descent of Aaron.

1Ch 12:29

12:29 And of the children of Benjamin, the kindred of Saul, three thousand: for hitherto the greatest part of them had {k} kept the ward of the house of Saul.

(k) That is, the greatest number took Saul's side.

1Ch 12:32

12:32 And of the children of Issachar, [which were men] that had understanding of the {l} times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them [were] two hundred; and all their brethren [were] at their commandment.

(l) Men of good experience, who knew at all times what was to be done.

1Ch 12:38

12:38 {m} All these men of war, that could keep rank, came with a perfect heart to Hebron, to make David king over all Israel: and all the rest also of Israel [were] of one heart to make David king.

(m) So that his whole host were 322,222.

1Ch 12:39

12:39 And there they were with David three days, eating and drinking: for their {n} brethren had prepared for them.

(n) The rest of the Israelites.

1Ch 13:3

13:3 And let us bring again the {a} ark of our God to us: for we enquired not at it in the days of Saul.

(a) His first concern was to restore religion, which had in Saul's day been corrupted and neglected.

1Ch 13:5

13:5 So David gathered all Israel together, from Shihor of Egypt even unto the entering of Hemath, to bring the ark of God from {b} Kirjathjearim.

(b) That is, from Gibea, where the inhabitants of Kirjathjearim had placed it in the house of Abinadab, 2Sa 6:3.

1Ch 13:7

13:7 And they carried the ark of God in a new cart out of the house of Abinadab: and Uzza and Ahio {c} drave the cart.

1Ch 13:8

13:8 And David and all Israel played before {d} God with all [their] might, and with singing, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with cymbals, and with trumpets.

(d) That is, before the Ark, where God showed himself: so that the sign is taken for the thing signified, which is common to all sacraments both in the old and new testaments.

1Ch 13:9

13:9 And when they came unto the threshingfloor of {e} Chidon, Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark; for the oxen stumbled.

(e) Called also Nachon, 2Sa 6:6.

1Ch 13:10

13:10 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzza, and he smote him, because he put his hand to the ark: and there he died {f} before God.

(f) Before the Ark for usurping that which did not belong to his calling: for this charge was given to the priests, Nu 4:15 , so that here all good intentions are condemned, unless they are commanded by the word of God.

1Ch 13:13

13:13 So David brought not the ark [home] to himself to the city of David, but carried it aside into the house of {g} Obededom the Gittite.

(g) Who was a Levite, and called Gittite, because he dwelt at Gath.

1Ch 14:2

14:2 And David perceived that the LORD had confirmed him king over Israel, for his kingdom was lifted up on high, because of his {a} people Israel.

(a) Because of God's promise made to the people of Israel.

1Ch 14:5

14:5 And Ibhar, and Elishua, and {b} Elpalet,

(b) Elpalet and Nogah are not mentioned in 2Sa 5:14 , so there are only eleven and here thirteen.

1Ch 14:11

14:11 So they came up to Baalperazim; and David smote them there. Then David said, God hath broken in upon mine enemies by mine hand like the breaking forth of waters: therefore they called the name of that place {c} Baalperazim.

1Ch 15:1

15:1 And [David] made him houses in the {a} city of David, and prepared a place for the ark of God, and pitched for it a tent.

(a) That was in Zion 2Sa 5:7,9.

1Ch 15:3

15:3 And David gathered all Israel together to Jerusalem, to bring up the {b} ark of the LORD unto his place, which he had prepared for it.

(b) From the house of Obed Edom, 2Sa 6:10,12.

1Ch 15:8

15:8 Of the sons of {c} Elizaphan; Shemaiah the chief, and his brethren two hundred:

1Ch 15:9

15:9 Of the sons of {d} Hebron; Eliel the chief, and his brethren fourscore:

(d) The third son of Kohath, Ex 6:18.

1Ch 15:12

15:12 And said unto them, Ye [are] the chief of the fathers of the Levites: {e} sanctify yourselves, [both] ye and your brethren, that ye may bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel unto [the place that] I have prepared for it.

(e) Prepare yourselves and be pure, abstain from all things by which you might be polluted, and so not able to come to the tabernacle.

1Ch 15:13

15:13 For because ye [did it] not at the first, the LORD our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due {f} order.

(f) According as he has appointed in the law.

1Ch 15:16

15:16 And David spake to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brethren [to be] the singers with {g} instruments of musick, psalteries and harps and cymbals, sounding, by lifting up the voice with joy.

(g) These instruments and other ceremonies which they observed, were instructions of their infancy, which continued to the coming of Christ.

1Ch 15:18

15:18 And with them their brethren of the {h} second [degree], Zechariah, Ben, and Jaaziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, Eliab, and Benaiah, and Maaseiah, and Mattithiah, and Elipheleh, and Mikneiah, and Obededom, and Jeiel, the porters.

(h) Which were inferior in dignity.

1Ch 15:20

15:20 And Zechariah, and Aziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, and Eliab, and Maaseiah, and Benaiah, with psalteries on {i} Alamoth;

(i) This was an instrument of music or a certain tune, to which they sang psalms.

1Ch 15:21

15:21 And Mattithiah, and Elipheleh, and Mikneiah, and Obededom, and Jeiel, and Azaziah, with harps on the {k} Sheminith to excel.

(k) Which was the eighth tune, over which he that was most excellent had charge.

1Ch 15:22

15:22 And Chenaniah, chief of the Levites, {l} [was] for song: he instructed about the song, because he [was] skilful.

(l) That is, to appoint Psalms and songs to them that sang.

1Ch 15:24

15:24 And Shebaniah, and Jehoshaphat, and Nethaneel, and Amasai, and Zechariah, and Benaiah, and Eliezer, the priests, did blow with the trumpets before the ark of God: and Obededom and Jehiah [were] doorkeepers {m} for the ark.

(m) With Berechiah and Elkanah, 1Ch 15:23.

1Ch 15:26

15:26 And it came to pass, when God {n} helped the Levites that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, that they offered {o} seven bullocks and seven rams.

(n) That is, gave them strength to execute their office.
(o) Besides the bullock and the fat beast which David offered at every sixth pace, 2Sa 6:13.

1Ch 15:27

15:27 And David [was] clothed with a robe of fine linen, and all the Levites that bare the ark, and the singers, and Chenaniah the master of the song with the singers: David also [had] upon him an {p} ephod of linen.

(p) Read 2Sa 6:14.

1Ch 15:29

15:29 And it came to pass, [as] the ark of the {q} covenant of the LORD came to the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looking out at a window saw king David dancing and playing: and she despised him in her heart.

(q) It was so called because it reminded the Israelites of the Lord's covenant made with them.

1Ch 16:2

16:2 And when David had made an end of offering the burnt offerings and the peace offerings, he {a} blessed the people in the name of the LORD.

(a) He called upon the Name of God, desiring him to prosper the people, and give good success to their beginnings.

1Ch 16:4

16:4 And he appointed [certain] of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, and to {b} record, and to thank and praise the LORD God of Israel:

(b) That is, God's benefits to his people.

1Ch 16:7

16:7 Then on that day David {c} delivered first [this psalm] to thank the LORD into the hand of Asaph and his brethren.

(c) David gave them this Psalm to praise the Lord, signifying that in all our enterprises the Name of God should be praised and called upon.

1Ch 16:8

16:8 Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his {d} deeds among the people.

(d) Of which this is the chiefest, that he has chosen himself a Church to call upon his name.

1Ch 16:9

16:9 Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his {e} wondrous works.

(e) Who of his wonderful providence has chosen a few of the stock of Abraham to be his children.

1Ch 16:12

16:12 Remember his marvellous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the {f} judgments of his mouth;

(f) In overcoming Pharaoh, which judgments were declared by God's mouth to Moses.

1Ch 16:13

16:13 O ye seed of Israel his servant, ye children of Jacob, his {g} chosen ones.

(g) Meaning by this that the promise of adoption only belongs to the Church.

1Ch 16:19

16:19 When ye were but {h} few, even a few, and strangers in it.

(h) Meaning, from the time that Abraham entered, to the time that Jacob went into Egypt for famine.

1Ch 16:21

16:21 He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved {i} kings for their sakes,

(i) As Pharaoh and Abimelech.

1Ch 16:22

16:22 [Saying], Touch not mine {k} anointed, and do my {l} prophets no harm.

(k) My elect and those whom I have sanctified.
(l) To whom God declared his word and they declared it to their posterity.

1Ch 16:26

16:26 For all the gods of the people [are] {m} idols: but the LORD made the heavens.

(m) His strong faith appears in this, though all the world would follow idols, yet he would cleave to the living God.

1Ch 16:30

16:30 {n} Fear before him, all the earth: the world also shall be stable, that it be not moved.

(n) Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God.

1Ch 16:31

16:31 Let the {o} heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let [men] say among the nations, The LORD reigneth.

(o) He exhorts the dumb creatures to rejoice with him in considering the greatness of the grace of God.

1Ch 16:33

16:33 Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the LORD, because he cometh to {p} judge the earth.

(p) To restore all things to their estate.

1Ch 16:35

16:35 And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give thanks to thy holy name, [and] {q} glory in thy praise.

(q) He esteems this to be the chiefest happiness of man.

1Ch 16:36

16:36 Blessed [be] the LORD God of Israel for ever and ever. And all the people said, {r} Amen, and praised the LORD.

(r) He wills all the people both in heart and mouth to consent to those praises.

1Ch 16:41

16:41 And with {s} them Heman and Jeduthun, and the rest that were chosen, who were expressed by name, to give thanks to the LORD, because his mercy [endureth] for ever;

(s) With Zadok and the rest of the priests.

1Ch 16:43

16:43 And all the people departed every man to his house: and David returned to {t} bless his house.

(t) Declaring that after our duty to God we are chiefly bound to our own house, for which as for all other things we should pray to God, and instruct our families to praise his Name.

1Ch 17:1

17:1 Now it came to pass, as David sat in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, Lo, I dwell in an house of {a} cedars, but the ark of the covenant of the LORD [remaineth] under {b} curtains.

(a) Well built and fair.
(b) That is, in tents covered with skin.

1Ch 17:2

17:2 Then Nathan said unto David, Do {c} all that [is] in thine heart; for God [is] with thee.

(c) As yet God had not revealed to the prophet what he purposed concerning David, therefore seeing God favoured David, he spoke what he thought.

1Ch 17:3

17:3 And it came to pass the same {d} night, that the word of God came to Nathan, saying,

(d) After Nathan had spoken to David.

1Ch 17:5

17:5 For I have not dwelt in an house since the day that I brought up Israel unto this day; but have gone from {e} tent to tent, and from [one] tabernacle [to another].

(e) That is, in a tent which moved to and fro.

1Ch 17:6

17:6 Wheresoever I have {f} walked with all Israel, spake I a word to any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people, saying, Why have ye not built me an house of cedars?

(f) Meaning, wherever his ark went, which was a sign of his presence.

1Ch 17:7

17:7 Now therefore thus shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, {g} [even] from following the sheep, that thou shouldest be ruler over my people Israel:

(g) Of a shepherd of sheep I made you a shepherd of men: so that you did not come to this dignity through your own merits, but by my pure grace.

1Ch 17:9

17:9 Also I will ordain a place for my people Israel, and will {h} plant them, and they shall dwell in their place, and shall be moved no more; neither shall the children of wickedness waste them any more, as at the beginning,

(h) Make them sure that they will not move.

1Ch 17:10

17:10 And since the time that I commanded judges [to be] over my people Israel. Moreover I will subdue all thine enemies. Furthermore I tell thee that the LORD will {i} build thee an house.

(i) Will give you great posterity.

1Ch 17:12

17:12 He shall build me an house, and I will stablish his throne for {k} ever.

(k) That is, to the coming of Christ: for then these figures would cease.

1Ch 17:13

17:13 I will be his father, and he shall be my son: and I will not take my mercy away from him, as I took [it] from [him] that was before {l} thee:

(l) Which was Saul.

1Ch 17:16

17:16 And David the king {m} came and sat before the LORD, and said, Who [am] I, O LORD God, and what [is] mine house, that thou hast brought me {n} hitherto?

(m) He went into the tent where the Ark was, showing what we should do when we receive any benefits from the Lord.
(n) Meaning to this kingly estate.

1Ch 17:17

17:17 And [yet] this was a small thing in thine eyes, O God; for thou hast [also] spoken of thy servant's house for a great while to come, and hast regarded me according to the estate of a man of {o} high degree, O LORD God.

(o) You have promised a kingdom that will continue to me and my posterity and that Christ will proceed from me.

1Ch 17:19

17:19 O LORD, for thy servant's sake, and according to thine own {p} heart, hast thou done all this greatness, in making known all [these] great things.

(p) Freely and according to the purpose of your will, without any deserving.

1Ch 17:24

17:24 Let it even be established, that thy name may be magnified for ever, saying, The LORD of hosts [is] the God of {q} Israel, [even] a God to Israel: and [let] the house of David thy servant [be] established before thee.

(q) That is, he shows himself indeed to be their God, by delivering them from dangers, and preserving them.

1Ch 17:25

17:25 For thou, O my God, hast {r} told thy servant that thou wilt build him an house: therefore thy servant hath found [in his heart] to pray before thee.

(r) You have declared to me by Nathan the prophet.

1Ch 18:1

18:1 Now after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them, and took {a} Gath and her towns out of the hand of the Philistines.

(a) Which 2Sa 8:1 calls the bridle of bondage, because it was a strong town and kept the country around it in subjection.

1Ch 18:6

18:6 Then David put [garrisons] in Syriadamascus; and the Syrians became David's servants, [and] brought gifts. Thus the LORD {b} preserved David whithersoever he went.

(b) That is in all things that he attempted.

1Ch 18:8

18:8 Likewise from {c} 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.

1Ch 18:10

18:10 He sent {d} 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.

(d) Called also Joram 2Sa 8:10.

1Ch 18:11

18:11 Them also king David dedicated unto the LORD, with the silver and the gold that he brought from all [these] nations; from {e} Edom, and from Moab, and from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines, and from Amalek.

(e) Because the Edomites and the Syrians joined their power together, it is said, 2Sa 8:12 that the Amramites were spoiled.

1Ch 18:12

18:12 Moreover Abishai the son of Zeruiah slew of the Edomites in the valley of salt {f} eighteen thousand.

(f) Which is understood that Joab slew 12,000 as is in Ps 60:1 and Abishai the rest.

1Ch 18:17

18:17 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada [was] over the {g} Cherethites and the Pelethites; and the sons of David [were] chief about the king.

(g) Read 2Sa 8:18.

1Ch 19:2

19:2 And David said, I will shew kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, because his {a} father shewed kindness to me. And David sent messengers to comfort him concerning his father. So the servants of David came into the land of the children of Ammon to Hanun, to comfort him.

(a) Because Nahash received David and his company, when Saul persecuted him he would now show pleasure to his son for the same.

1Ch 19:3

19:3 But the princes of the children of Ammon said to Hanun, Thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, that he hath sent comforters unto thee? are not his servants come unto thee for to search, and to overthrow, and to {b} spy out the land?

(b) Thus the malicious always interpret the purpose of the godly in the worst sense.

1Ch 19:4

19:4 Wherefore Hanun took David's servants, and {c} shaved them, and cut off their {d} garments in the midst hard by their buttocks, and sent them away.

(c) They shaved off half of their beards, 2Sa 10:4.
(d) To put them to shame and villany, while the ambassadors should have been honoured: and because the Jews used to wear side garments and beards, they thus disfigured them, to make them odious to others.

1Ch 19:6

19:6 And when the children of Ammon saw that they had made themselves odious to David, Hanun and the children of Ammon sent a thousand talents of silver to hire them chariots and horsemen out of Mesopotamia, and out of Syriamaachah, and out of {e} Zobah.

(e) Which were five in all.

1Ch 19:7

19:7 So they hired thirty and two thousand chariots, and the king of Maachah and his people; who came and pitched before {f} Medeba. And the children of Ammon gathered themselves together from their cities, and came to battle.

(f) Which was a city of the tribe of Reuben beyond Jordan.

1Ch 19:13

19:13 Be of good courage, and let us behave ourselves valiantly for our {g} people, and for the cities of our God: and let the LORD do [that which is] good in his sight.

(g) He declares that where the cause is evil, the courage cannot be valiant, and that in good causes men should be courageous, and commit the success to God.

1Ch 19:16

19:16 And when the Syrians saw that they were put to the worse before Israel, they sent messengers, and drew forth the Syrians that [were] beyond the {h} river: and Shophach the captain of the host of Hadarezer [went] before them.

(h) That is, Euphrates.

1Ch 19:18

19:18 But the Syrians fled before Israel; and David slew of the Syrians {i} seven thousand [men which fought in] chariots, and forty thousand footmen, and killed Shophach the captain of the host.

(i) For this place, read 2Sa 10:18.

1Ch 20:1

20:1 And it came to pass, that after the year was expired, at the time that kings go out [to battle], Joab led forth the power of the army, and wasted the country of the children of Ammon, and came and besieged {a} Rabbah. But David tarried at Jerusalem. And Joab smote Rabbah, and destroyed it.

(a) Which was the chief city of the Ammonites.

1Ch 20:2

20:2 And David took the crown of their king from off his head, and found it to weigh a {b} talent of gold, and [there were] precious stones in it; and it was set upon David's head: and he brought also exceeding much spoil out of the city.

(b) Which mounts about the value of seven thousand and seventy crowns, which is about 60 pound weight.

1Ch 20:5

20:5 And there was war again with the Philistines; and Elhanan the son of Jair slew {c} Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, whose spear staff [was] like a weaver's beam.

1Ch 20:6

20:6 And yet again there was war at Gath, where was a man of [great] stature, whose fingers and toes [were] four and twenty, {d} six [on each hand], and six [on each foot]: and he also was the son of the giant.

(d) Meaning that he had six apiece on hands and feet.

1Ch 21:1

21:1 And {a} Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.

(a) He tempted David, in setting before his eyes his excellency and glory, his power and victories, see 2Sa 24:1.

1Ch 21:2

21:2 And David said to Joab and to the rulers of the people, Go, number Israel from {b} Beersheba even to Dan; and bring the number of them to me, that I may know [it].

(b) That is, from south to north.

1Ch 21:3

21:3 And Joab answered, The LORD make his people an hundred times so many more as they [be]: but, my lord the king, [are] they not all my lord's servants? why then doth my lord require this thing? why will he be a cause of {c} trespass to Israel?

(c) It was a thing indifferent and usual to number the people, but because he did it for ambitious reasons, as though his strength stood in his people, God punished him.

1Ch 21:5

21:5 And Joab gave the sum of the number of the people unto David. And all [they of] Israel were {d} a thousand thousand and an hundred thousand men that drew sword: and Judah [was] {e} four hundred threescore and ten thousand men that drew sword.

(d) Joab partly for grief and partly through negligence gathered not the whole sum as it is here declared.
(e) In Samuel 30,000 more are mentioned, which was either by joining to them some of the Benjamites who were mixed with Judah, or as the Hebrews write, here the chief and princes are left out.

1Ch 21:15

21:15 And God sent an angel unto Jerusalem to destroy it: and {f} as he was destroying, the LORD beheld, and he {g} repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed, It is enough, stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD stood by the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite.

(f) Read 2Sa 24:16.
(g) When God draws back his plagues, he seems to repent, read Ge 6:6.

1Ch 21:17

21:17 And David said unto God, [Is it] not I [that] commanded the people to be numbered? even I it is that have sinned and done evil indeed; but [as for] these sheep, what have they done? let thine hand, I pray thee, O LORD my God, be on me, and on my father's house; but not on {h} thy people, that they should be plagued.

(h) Thus he both shows a true repentance and a fatherly care toward his people, who desire God to spare them, and to punish him and his.

1Ch 21:20

21:20 And Ornan turned back, and saw the angel; and his four sons with him {i} hid themselves. Now Ornan was threshing wheat.

(i) If man hides himself at the sight of an angel who is a creature, how much more as a sinner able to appear before the face of God?

1Ch 21:22

21:22 Then David said to Ornan, Grant me the place of [this] threshingfloor, that I may build an {k} altar therein unto the LORD: thou shalt grant it me for the full price: that the plague may be stayed from the people.

(k) This he did by the command of God, 1Ch 21:18 , or else it would have been abominable, unless he had either God's word, or revelation.

1Ch 21:24

21:24 And king David said to Ornan, Nay; but I will verily buy it for the full {l} price: for I will not take [that] which [is] thine for the LORD, nor offer burnt offerings without cost.

(l) That is, as much as it is worth: for having enough of his own, and yet to have taken of another man's goods to offer to the Lord would had been theft and not acceptable to God.

1Ch 21:25

21:25 So David gave to Ornan for the place {m} six hundred shekels of gold by weight.

(m) Read 2Sa 24:24.

1Ch 21:26

21:26 And David built there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, and called upon the LORD; and he {n} answered him from heaven by fire upon the altar of burnt offering.

(n) God declared that he heard his request, in that he sent down fire from heaven for they could use no fire in sacrifice but that which was reserved still upon the altar, Le 6:13 and came down from heaven, Le 9:24 as appeared by the punishment of Nadab and Abihu, Le 10:1.

1Ch 22:1

22:1 Then David said, This [is] the {a} house of the LORD God, and this [is] the altar of the burnt offering for Israel.

(a) That is, the place in which he will be worshipped.

1Ch 22:2

22:2 And David commanded to gather together the {b} strangers that [were] in the land of Israel; and he set masons to hew wrought stones to build the house of God.

(b) Meaning, cunning men of other nations who dwelt among the Jews.

1Ch 22:3

22:3 And David prepared iron {c} in abundance for the nails for the doors of the gates, and for the joinings; and brass in abundance without weight;

1Ch 22:8

22:8 But the word of the LORD came to me, saying, {d} Thou hast shed blood abundantly, and hast made great wars: thou shalt not build an house unto my name, because thou hast shed much blood upon the earth in my sight.

(d) This declares how greatly God detests the shedding of blood, seeing David for this cause is prevented from building the temple of the Lord, though he enterprised no war, but by God's command and against his enemies.

1Ch 22:11

22:11 Now, my son, the LORD be with thee; and {e} prosper thou, and build the house of the LORD thy God, as he hath said of thee.

(e) He shows that there can be no prosperity, but when the Lord is with us.

1Ch 22:12

22:12 Only the LORD give thee {f} wisdom and understanding, and give thee charge concerning Israel, that thou mayest keep the law of the LORD thy God.

(f) These are only the means by which kings govern their subjects correctly, and by which the realms prosper and flourish.

1Ch 22:14

22:14 Now, behold, in my {g} trouble I have prepared for the house of the LORD an hundred thousand talents of gold, and a million talents of silver; and of brass and iron without weight; for it is in abundance: timber also and stone have I prepared; and thou mayest add thereto.

(g) For David was poor in respect to Solomon.

1Ch 22:16

22:16 Of the gold, the silver, and the brass, and the iron, [there is] no number. {h} Arise [therefore], and be doing, and the LORD be with thee.

(h) That is, go about it quickly.

1Ch 22:18

22:18 [Is] not the LORD your God with you? and hath he [not] given you rest on every side? for he hath given the {i} inhabitants of the land into mine hand; and the land is subdued before the LORD, and before his people.

(i) The nations round about.

1Ch 22:19

22:19 Now set {k} your heart and your soul to seek the LORD your God; arise therefore, and build ye the sanctuary of the LORD God, to bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and the holy vessels of God, into the house that is to be built to the name of the LORD.

(k) For else he knew that God would plague them, and not prosper their labour, unless they sought with all their hearts to set forth his glory.

1Ch 23:13

23:13 The sons of Amram; Aaron and Moses: and Aaron was separated, that he should {a} sanctify the most holy things, he and his sons for ever, to burn incense before the LORD, to minister unto him, and to bless in his name for ever.

(a) That is, to serve in the most holy place, and to consecrate the holy things.

1Ch 23:14

23:14 Now [concerning] Moses the man of God, his sons were named of the {b} tribe of Levi.

(b) They were but of the order of the Levites and not of the priests as Aaron's sons.

1Ch 23:17

23:17 And the sons of Eliezer [were], Rehabiah the {c} chief. And Eliezer had none other sons; but the sons of Rehabiah were very many.

1Ch 23:22

23:22 And Eleazar died, and had no sons, but daughters: and their {d} brethren the sons of Kish took them.

(d) Meaning their cousins.

1Ch 23:24

23:24 These [were] the sons of Levi after the house of their fathers; [even] the chief of the fathers, as they were counted by number of names by their polls, that did the work for the service of the house of the LORD, from the age of {e} twenty years and upward.

(e) David chose the Levites twice, first at the age of thirty as in 1Ch 23:3 and again afterward at twenty as the office required: at the beginning they had no charge in the temple before they were twenty-five years old, and had none after fifty, Nu 4:3.

1Ch 23:28

23:28 Because their office [was] to wait on the sons of Aaron for the service of the house of the LORD, in the courts, and in the chambers, and in the {f} purifying of all holy things, and the work of the service of the house of God;

(f) In washing and cleansing all the holy vessels.

1Ch 24:2

24:2 But Nadab and Abihu died {a} before their father, and had no children: therefore Eleazar and Ithamar executed the priest's office.

(a) While their father yet lived.

1Ch 24:7

24:7 Now the first {b} lot came forth to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah,

(b) This lot was ordained to take away all occasion of envy or grudging of one against another.

1Ch 24:10

24:10 The seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to {c} Abijah,

1Ch 24:19

24:19 These [were] the orderings of them in their service to come into the house of the LORD, according to their manner, under {d} Aaron their father, as the LORD God of Israel had commanded him.

(d) By the dignity that God gave to Aaron.

1Ch 24:30

24:30 The sons also of {e} Mushi; Mahli, and Eder, and Jerimoth. These [were] the sons of the Levites after the house of their fathers.

(e) Who was the second son of Merari.

1Ch 24:31

24:31 These likewise cast {f} lots over against their brethren the sons of Aaron in the presence of David the king, and Zadok, and Ahimelech, and the chief of the fathers of the priests and Levites, even the principal fathers over against their younger brethren.

(f) That is, every one had that honour which fell to him by lot.

1Ch 25:1

25:1 Moreover David and the captains of the host {a} separated to the service of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals: and the number of the workmen according to their service was:

(a) The singers were divided into 24 courses, so that every course or order contained twelve, and in all there were 288, as in 1Ch 25:7.

1Ch 25:3

25:3 Of Jeduthun: the sons of Jeduthun; Gedaliah, and Zeri, and Jeshaiah, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, {b} six, under the hands of their father Jeduthun, who {c} prophesied with a harp, to give thanks and to praise the LORD.

(b) Of which one is not here numbered.
(c) Meaning, psalms and songs to praise God.

1Ch 25:8

25:8 And they cast lots, {d} ward against [ward], as well the {e} small as the great, the teacher as the scholar.

(d) Who should be in every company and course.
(e) Without respect to age or cunning.

1Ch 25:9

25:9 Now the first lot came forth for Asaph to {f} Joseph: the second to Gedaliah, who with his brethren and sons [were] twelve:

(f) So that he served in the first turn and the rest every one as his turn followed in order.

1Ch 26:1

26:1 Concerning the divisions of the porters: Of the Korhites [was] Meshelemiah the son of Kore, of the sons of {a} Asaph.

(a) This Asaph was not the notable musician, but another of that name also called Ebiasaph in 1Ch 6:23,37,9:19 and also Jasaph.

1Ch 26:5

26:5 Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, Peulthai the eighth: for God {b} blessed him.

(b) In giving him many children.

1Ch 26:6

26:6 Also unto Shemaiah his son were sons born, that {c} ruled throughout the house of their father: for they [were] mighty men of valour.

1Ch 26:8

26:8 All these of the sons of Obededom: they and their sons and their brethren, able men for {d} strength for the service, [were] threescore and two of Obededom.

(d) Fit to serve the office of the portership.

1Ch 26:12

26:12 Among these [were] the divisions of the porters, [even] among the chief men, [having] wards one {e} against another, to minister in the house of the LORD.

(e) According to their turns as well the one as the other.

1Ch 26:14

26:14 And the lot eastward fell to Shelemiah. Then for Zechariah his son, {f} a wise counsellor, they cast lots; and his lot came out northward.

(f) One expert and fit to keep that gate.

1Ch 26:15

26:15 To Obededom southward; and to his sons the house of {g} Asuppim.

(g) This was a house where they used to resort to consult things concerning the temple, as a convocation house.

1Ch 26:16

26:16 To Shuppim and Hosah [the lot came forth] westward, with the gate {h} Shallecheth, by the causeway of the going up, ward against ward.

(h) At which they used to cast out the filth of the city.

1Ch 26:17

26:17 Eastward [were] six Levites, northward four a day, southward four a day, and toward Asuppim {i} two [and] two.

(i) Meaning two one day and two another.

1Ch 26:18

26:18 At {k} Parbar westward, four at the causeway, [and] two at Parbar.

(k) Which was a house in which they kept the instruments of the temple.

1Ch 26:23

26:23 Of the {l} Amramites, [and] the Izharites, the Hebronites, [and] the Uzzielites:

(l) These also had charge over the treasures.

1Ch 26:26

26:26 Which Shelomith and his brethren [were] over all the treasures of the dedicated things, which David the king, and the chief fathers, the captains over thousands and hundreds, and the captains of the host, had {m} dedicated.

(m) According as the Lord commanded, Nu 31:28.

1Ch 26:29

26:29 Of the Izharites, Chenaniah and his sons [were] for the outward business {n} over Israel, for officers and judges.

(n) Meaning of things that were out of the city.

1Ch 26:30

26:30 [And] of the Hebronites, Hashabiah and his brethren, men of valour, a thousand and seven hundred, [were] officers among them of Israel on this side Jordan westward in all the business of the LORD, and in the service of {o} the king.

(o) That is, for the king's house.

1Ch 26:32

26:32 And his brethren, men of valour, [were] two thousand and seven hundred chief fathers, whom king David made rulers over the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh, for every matter pertaining to {q} God, and affairs of the king.

(q) Both in spiritual and temporal things.

1Ch 27:1

27:1 Now the children of Israel after their number, [to wit], the chief fathers and captains of thousands and hundreds, and their officers that served the king in any matter of the courses, {a} which came in and went out month by month throughout all the months of the year, of every course [were] twenty and four thousand.

(a) Who executed their charge and office, which is meant by coming in and going out.

1Ch 27:4

27:4 And over the course of the second month [was] Dodai an Ahohite, and of his course [was] Mikloth also the {b} ruler: in his course likewise [were] twenty and four thousand.

(b) That is, Dodais lieutenant.

1Ch 27:16

27:16 Furthermore {c} over the tribes of Israel: the ruler of the Reubenites [was] Eliezer the son of Zichri: of the Simeonites, Shephatiah the son of Maachah:

1Ch 27:21

27:21 Of the {d} half [tribe] of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechariah: of Benjamin, Jaasiel the son of Abner:

(d) Which is beyond Jordan in respect to Judah, also one captain was over the Reubenites and the Gadites.

1Ch 27:24

27:24 Joab the son of Zeruiah began to number, but he finished not, {e} because there fell wrath for it against Israel; neither was the number put in the account of the {f} chronicles of king David.

(e) The commandment of the king was abominable to Joab, 1Ch 21:6.
(f) The Hebrews make both these books of Chronicles but one, and at this verse make the middle of the book concerning the number of verses.

1Ch 27:32

27:32 Also Jonathan David's uncle was a counsellor, a wise man, and a {g} scribe: and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni [was] with the king's {h} sons:

(g) That is, a man learned in the word of God.
(h) To be their schoolmasters and teachers.

1Ch 27:34

27:34 And {i} after Ahithophel [was] Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, and Abiathar: and the general of the king's army [was] Joab.

(i) After Ahithophel hanged himself, 2Sa 17:23 , Jehoiada was made counsellor.

1Ch 28:2

28:2 Then David the king stood up upon his feet, and said, Hear me, my brethren, and my people: [As for me], I [had] in mine heart to build an house of {a} rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and for the footstool of our God, and had made ready for the building:

(a) Where the ark would stay and no longer move to and fro.

1Ch 28:4

28:4 Howbeit the LORD God of Israel chose me before all the house of my father to be king over Israel for ever: for he hath chosen Judah [to be] the ruler; and of the house of {b} Judah, the house of my father; and among the sons of my father he liked me to make [me] king over all Israel:

(b) According to the prophecy of Jacob, Ge 49:8.

1Ch 28:7

28:7 Moreover I will establish his kingdom for ever, if he be constant to do my commandments and my judgments, as at {c} this day.

1Ch 28:8

28:8 Now therefore in the sight of all Israel the congregation of the LORD, and in the audience of our God, keep and seek for all the commandments of the LORD your God: that ye may possess this {d} good land, and leave [it] for an inheritance for your children after you {e} for ever.

(d) That is, of Canaan.
(e) He declares that nothing can separate them from the conveniences of this land, both for themselves and their posterity except for their sins and iniquity.

1Ch 28:10

28:10 Take heed now; for the LORD hath chosen thee to build {f} an house for the sanctuary: be strong, and {g} do [it].

(f) Meaning, for his ark.
(g) Put it in execution.

1Ch 28:15

28:15 Even the weight for the {h} candlesticks of gold, and for their lamps of gold, by weight for every candlestick, and for the lamps thereof: and for the candlesticks of silver by weight, [both] for the candlestick, and [also] for the lamps thereof, according to the use of every candlestick.

(h) That is, the ten candlesticks, 1Ki 7:49.

1Ch 28:18

28:18 And for the altar of incense refined gold by weight; and gold for the pattern of {i} the chariot of the cherubims, that spread out [their wings], and covered the ark of the covenant of the LORD.

(i) Meaning, of the mercy seat that covered the ark, which was called the chariot, because the Lord declared himself there.

1Ch 28:19

28:19 All [this, said David], the LORD made me understand in writing {k} by [his] hand upon me, [even] all the works of this pattern.

(k) For all this was left in writing in the book of the Law, Ex 25:40 , which the king was bound to put in execution, De 17:19.

1Ch 28:21

28:21 And, behold, the courses of the priests and the Levites, [even they shall be with thee] for all the service of the house of God: and [there shall be] with thee for all manner of workmanship {l} every willing skilful man, for any manner of service: also the princes and all the people [will be] wholly at thy commandment.

(l) That is, everyone will be ready to help you with those gifts that God has given him.

1Ch 29:1

29:1 Furthermore David the king said unto all the congregation, Solomon my son, whom alone God hath chosen, [is yet] young and tender, and the work [is] great: for the palace [is] not for man, but for the {a} LORD God.

(a) Therefore it should be excellent in all points.

1Ch 29:3

29:3 Moreover, because I have set my {b} affection to the house of my God, I have of mine own proper good, of gold and silver, [which] I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house,

(b) His great zeal for the furtherance of the temple made him spare no expenses, but to bestow his own peculiar treasure.

1Ch 29:4

29:4 [Even] {c} three thousand talents of gold, of the gold of Ophir, and seven thousand talents of refined silver, to overlay the walls of the houses [withal]:

1Ch 29:5

29:5 The gold for [things] of gold, and the silver for [things] of silver, and for all manner of work [to be made] by the hands of artificers. And who [then] is {d} willing to consecrate his service this day unto the LORD?

(d) He was not only liberal himself but provoked others to set forth the work of God.

1Ch 29:8

29:8 And they with whom [precious] stones were {e} found gave [them] to the treasure of the house of the LORD, by the hand of Jehiel the Gershonite.

(e) Meaning, they who had any.

1Ch 29:9

29:9 Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with {f} perfect heart they offered willingly to the LORD: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy.

(f) That is, with good courage and without hypocrisy.

1Ch 29:10

29:10 Wherefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed [be] thou, LORD God of {g} Israel our father, for ever and ever.

(g) Who revealed yourself to our father Jacob.

1Ch 29:14

29:14 But who [am] I, and what [is] my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things {h} [come] of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.

(h) We gave you nothing of our own, but that which we have received from you: for whether the gifts are corporal or spiritual, we receive them all from God, and therefore must give him the glory.

1Ch 29:15

29:15 For we [are] {i} strangers before thee, and sojourners, as [were] all our fathers: our days on the earth [are] as a shadow, and [there is] none abiding.

(i) Therefore we have this land loaned to us for a time.

1Ch 29:18

29:18 O LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this for ever in the {k} imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy people, and prepare their heart unto thee:

(k) Continue then in his good mind, that they may serve you willingly.

1Ch 29:20

29:20 And David said to all the congregation, Now bless the LORD your God. And all the congregation blessed the LORD God of their fathers, and bowed down their heads, and worshipped the LORD, and the {l} king.

(l) That is, revered the king.

1Ch 29:21

29:21 And they sacrificed sacrifices unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings unto the LORD, on the morrow after that day, [even] a thousand bullocks, a thousand rams, [and] a thousand lambs, with their {m} drink offerings, and sacrifices in abundance for all Israel:

(m) Meaning, all kinds of liquor which they mingled with their sacrifices, as wine, oil, etc.

1Ch 29:23

29:23 Then Solomon sat on the {n} throne of the LORD as king instead of David his father, and prospered; and all Israel obeyed him.

(n) This declares that the kings of Judah were figures of Christ, who was the true anointed, and to whom God gave the chief government of all things.

1Ch 29:29

29:29 Now the acts of David the king, first and last, behold, they [are] written in the book of Samuel the seer, and in the book of {o} Nathan the prophet, and in the book of Gad the seer,

(o) The books of Nathan and Gad are thought to have been lost in the captivity.

1Ch 29:30

29:30 With all his reign and his might, and the {p} times that went over him, and over Israel, and over all the kingdoms of the countries.

(p) Meaning the troubles and griefs.

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