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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Chronicles 20:4-8

The Philistines were nearly subdued (1 Chron. 18:1); but, as in the destruction of the Canaanites by Joshua the sons of Anak were last subdued (Josh. 11:21), so here in the conquest of the Philistines the giants of Gath were last brought down. In the conflicts between grace and corruption there are some sins which, like these giants, keep their ground a great while and are not mastered without much difficulty and a long struggle: but judgment will be brought forth unto victory at last.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Chronicles 20:1-8

See Gill on 1 Chronicles 20:1 , 2 Samuel 11:1 , 1 Chronicles 20:2 , 2 Samuel 12:30 , 2 Samuel 21:15 , and 1 Chronicles 21:1 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Chronicles 20:8

These were born unto the giant in Gath - "These were born להרפא leharapha , to that Rapha in Gath, or to Arapha." So the Vulgate, Septuagint, and Chaldee. The compiler of these books passes by also the incest of Amnon with his sister Tamar, and the rebellion of Absalom, and the awful consequences of all these. These should have preceded the fourth verse. These facts could not be unknown to him, for they were notorious to all; but he saw that they were already amply... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Chronicles 20:8

These were born unto the giant in Gath . The parallel place reads, "These four ," etc. The first of the four in view there is not mentioned here. The account is given in 2 Samuel 21:15-17 . And as it was in that encounter that David himself played the chief part (though, apparently, it was Abishai who dealt Ishbi-benob the fatal blow in "succouring" David), the notice of it would have seemed necessary to complete fully the sense of the following clauses, "They fell by the hand of... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Chronicles 20:1-8

A.M. 2969. B.C. 1035. A repetition of David’s wars with the Ammonites, and the taking of Rabbah, 1 Chronicles 20:1-3 ; with the giants of the Philistines, 1 Chronicles 20:4-8 . NOTES ON CHAPTER 20. 1 Chronicles 20:1. Joab led forth the army, and wasted, &c. For this verse, see note on 2 Samuel 11:1; for 1 Chronicles 20:2-3, on 2 Samuel 12:30-31; and for the rest of the chapter, on 2 Samuel 21:15, &c. And came and besieged Rabbah It was at this time, while Joab was besieging... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Chronicles 20:1-8

David’s fame (18:1-22:1)Before speaking further of the temple, the writer lists a number of David’s victories in war. These records show how God was strengthening David’s kingdom according to his promise, but they show also why God would not allow David to build the temple. One who had caused so much bloodshed was not a suitable person to build the nation’s sacred place of worship (see 22:7-10).The writer records victories over miscellaneous enemies (18:1-17; see notes on 2 Samuel 8:1-18);... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Chronicles 20:1-8

CHAP. XX. Joab takes the city of Rabbah. The Philistines are three times overcome by David and his servants. Before Christ 1037. REFLECTIONS.—While Joab conquered the country of the Ammonites, David stayed at Jerusalem: we learn, with grief, to how bad purpose, 2 Samuel 11:0. Here his crime is passed over. A veil should be drawn ever the sins which are repented of, and they should no more be mentioned to a man's shame. read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Chronicles 20:1-8

The Siege of Rabbah. The Slaughter of three Philistine GiantsThis chapter corresponds, with some unimportant differences, to several distinct sections in 2 S, viz. 2 Samuel 11:1; 2 Samuel 12:26-31; 2 Samuel 21:18-22.2. David took, etc.] This implies David’s presence at Rabbah, and as it stands here is inconsistent with the previous verse. In 2 Samuel 12 the discrepancy is explained by a passage which Chronicles omits, relating that Joab summoned David to Rabbah and that the king went thither.5.... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 1 Chronicles 20:8

(8) These (’çl), a rare word, found eight times in the Pentateuch with the article, here only without; perhaps an error of transcription. Samuel, “these four.” The chronicler has omitted one giant. (See 1 Chronicles 20:4.)The giant.—The Rephaite: that is, the clan or tribe of Rephaim. They need not have been brothers. read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - 1 Chronicles 20:1-8

Great Giants and Small 1 Chronicles 20:4-8 You tremble when you read the names of these giants. There is no need to tremble; a deadlier giant is aiming at your heart today. The heroics have changed as to apparatus and nomenclature and environment, and all that sort of vanishing vapour; the great fight goes on, the tremendous rush of armies, Philistine and Israelite still meet face to face. I. What giants have you been fighting? You have got through the first crude lot. I know it; so have we... read more

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