The narrative here given fills out a manifest defect in 2 Samuel 5:8 where something has evidently dropped out of the text.The prowess of Joab on this occasion, and the part which he took in the building of the city of David 1 Chronicles 11:8, are known to us only from this passage of Chronicles. read more
David made king (11:1-12:40)It seems clear that the writer of Chronicles assumes that his readers have already read the books of Samuel and Kings. (In this commentary also it is assumed that the reader has read these books. For further details see notes and maps at the relevant places in Samuel and Kings, and the appendix at the end of Chronicles.)In view of his readers’ assumed knowledge, the Chronicler makes no attempt to record events that have little to do with his central purpose. For... read more
B. David’s Coronation and Capital 11:1-9David is really the hero of both 1 and 2 Chronicles. The heart of Chronicles is the rise of David and the establishment of the Davidic kingdom, which begins with chapter 11."They [1 and 2 Chronicles] look forward with anticipation to the coming King who will bring in God’s final salvation and blessing." [Note: Sailhamer, p. 32.] "The principle point we wish to emphasize is that the Chronicler, the composer of the original work, structured his history... read more
David’s Coronation at Hebron and his Capture of ZionThe writer, though mentioning David’s crowning at Hebron, omits all description of his 7 years’ reign there, and in this chapter unites with some variations and additions two sections of 2 S, viz. 2 Samuel 5:1-10 and 2 Samuel 23:8-39.6. So Joab, etc.] This is an addition to the account in 2 Samuel 5:8.10. Strengthened themselves] better, ’exerted themselves.’11. The chief of the captains] another reading is ’chief of the thirty’: cp. 1... read more
(4-9) THE CAPTURE OF ZION BY JOAB’S VALOUR, AND DAVID’S SETTLEMENT THERE.The accession of the new king is followed by a warlike enterprise, according to the precedent of Saul (1 Samuel 11:0). This agrees with the reason assigned for the election of a king (1 Samuel 8:20), as well as with what we know of Assyrian custom, and is a mark of historic truth. read more
(7) Castle.—Stronghold, fastness. (Comp. 2 Samuel 5:7.) In 1 Chronicles 11:5 the form is meçûdâh, here it is the rare masculine form, meçâd: comp. Ar. maçâd, cacumen montis.They called it.—Samuel (Hebrew), “one called it;” both in a general sense.City.—Comp. Greek, polis = acropolis. read more
1 Chronicles 11:22 This was one of the exploits of Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel. The historian is endeavouring to draw for our instruction the character of men who surrounded David at the time when Israel offered him the throne. I. This exploit of Benaiah may be looked upon as a parable. It contains some suggestions which we may find useful. I would suggest that the day was unpropitious. It was a snowy day a day when one would be greatly tempted to stay at... read more
DAVID1. HIS TRIBE AND DYNASTYKING and kingdom were so bound up in ancient life that an ideal for the one implied an ideal for the other: all distinction and glory possessed by either was shared by both. The tribe and kingdom of Judah were exalted by the fame of David and Solomon: but, on the other hand, a specially exalted position is accorded to David in the Old Testament because he is the representative of the people of Jehovah. David himself had been anointed by Divine command to be king of... read more
III. THE CROWNING OF DAVID AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF HIS KINGDOM 1. David at Hebron CHAPTER 11 1. David crowned king (1 Chronicles 11:1-3 ) 2. Jerusalem becomes David’s capital (1 Chronicles 11:4-9 ) 3. The record of David’s mighty men (1 Chronicles 11:10-47 ) From the second book of Samuel we learned that the crowning of David in Hebron occurred after the death of Ishbosheth (2 Samuel 5:0 ). The previous reign of David for seven and a half years and his failures are here omitted. We... read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Chronicles 11:1-9
David is here brought to the possession. I. Of the throne of Israel, after he had reigned seven years in Hebron, over Judah only. In consideration of his relation to them (1 Chron. 11:1), his former good services, and especially the divine designation (1 Chron. 11:2), they anointed him their king: he covenanted to protect them, and they to bear faith and true allegiance to him, 1 Chron. 11:3. Observe, 1. God's counsels will be fulfilled at last, whatever difficulties lie in the way. If God had... read more