1 Chronicles 18 - Clarke's commentary and critical notes on the Bible

Now after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them, and took Gath and her towns out of the hand of the Philistines. David - took Gath and her towns - See the comparison between this chapter and 2 Samuel 8:1 (note), etc., in the notes on the latter.

And he smote Moab; and the Moabites became David's servants, and brought gifts. Brought gifts - Were laid under tribute.

And David smote Hadarezer king of Zobah unto Hamath, as he went to stablish his dominion by the river Euphrates.

And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven thousand horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: David also houghed all the chariot horses, but reserved of them an hundred chariots.

And when the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadarezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.

Then David put garrisons in Syriadamascus; and the Syrians became David's servants, and brought gifts. Thus the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.

And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadarezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.

Likewise from 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.

Now when Tou king of Hamath heard how David had smitten all the host of Hadarezer king of Zobah; Tou king of Hamath - Called Toi in 2 Samuel 8:9.

He sent Hadoram his son to king David, to inquire 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.

Them also king David dedicated unto the LORD, with the silver and the gold that he brought from all these nations; from Edom, and from Moab, and from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines, and from Amalek.

Moreover Abishai the son of Zeruiah slew of the Edomites in the valley of salt eighteen thousand. Abishai - slew of the Edomites - This victory is attributed to David, 2 Samuel 8:13. He sent Abishai against them, and he defeated them: this is with great propriety attributed to David as commander-in-chief; qui facit per alterum, facit per se.

And he put garrisons in Edom; and all the Edomites became David's servants. Thus the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.

So David reigned over all Israel, and executed judgment and justice among all his people.

And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud, recorder. Joab - was over the host - General-in-chief.

Jehoshaphat - recorder - The king's remembrancer, or historiographer royal.

And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Abimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Shavsha was scribe; Zadok - and Abimelech - priests - Both high priests; one at Gibeon, and the other at Jerusalem, as we have seen 1 Chronicles 16:39.

Shavsha was scribe - Called Seraiah, 2 Samuel 8:17.

And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and the sons of David were chief about the king. Cherethites and the Pelethites - See the note on 2 Samuel 8:18.

The Targum says, "Benaiah was over the great Sanhedrin and the small Sanhedrin, and consulted Urim and Thummim. And at his command the archers and slingers went to battle."

The sons of David - These were the highest in authority.

Commentary on the Bible, by Adam Clarke [1831].