1 Chronicles 11:14

1Ch 11:14 And they set themselves in the midst of [that] parcel, and delivered it, and slew the Philistines; and the LORD saved [them] by a great deliverance.

Ver. 14. And they set themselves.] The Romans boast of their Cochles, who himself alone defended a bridge against an army of enemies; the Greeks of their Achilles; the Dutch of their Albertus Brandenburgicus - though better they might of their magnanimous Martin Luther, who, like another Athanasius, totius orbis impetum solus sustinuit, stood out against a world of adversaries in defence of the truth.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

This act is referred to Shammah, 2 Sam. 23:11, which seemeth was the chiefest of these.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain. Text via Bolls.life.

(14) And they set themselves . . . and delivered . . . and slew.—These verbs should be singular, as describing the exploit of Shammah (2Sa_23:12). After the omission just noticed had become perpetuated in the text, some editor must have altered the words into the plural, supposing that they referred to David and Eleazar (1Ch_11:13).

Saved them.—Samuel, “made a great deliverance”: transpose one letter, and the Hebrew words are identical. LXX. and Syriac agree with Samuel.

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

14. set themselves] R.V. stood, i.e. “took their stand” (cp. 1Sa_17:16 “presented himself”). The subject of the verb in 2Sa_23:12 is Shammah, here David and Eleazar together.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

These men. Septuagint speak only of one: "And he stood," &c., (Haydock) and the verbs are singular, 2 Kings xxiii. 12. --- Gave. Hebrew vayahas (ibid.[2 Kings xxiii. 12.?]) is more correct than vayosha, "saved." (Kennicott) --- Protestants are forced to add, "saved them by a great deliverance." But there is nothing in the original signifying by. (Haydock)

George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).

This, as well as the latter half of the preceding verse, belongs to the account of Shammah the Hararite, (2Sa_23:11) and in the parallel the verbs are accordingly in the singular number. In that same place Shammah is called the "son of Agee," which probably answers to the "Shage" of the present chapter (ver. 34), where our reading should rather be, "Jonathan the son of Shammah the son of Shage, the Hararite." The word "Hararite" designates, according to Gesenius, "one from the hill-country," i.e. the hill-country of Judah or Ephraim, and would be equivalent with us to such a description as "the mountaineer.

A great deliverance.

David, by the force of his character and the prowess of his arms, gathered around him many able, valiant men, who were a strength to himself and a protection to his kingdom. Of the thirty heroes most famous and mighty, some are recorded to have wrought great and memorable exploits. The passage before us relates a feat of arms performed probably by Shammah, one of these mighty men of valour. He attacked the Philistines, who were stationed in a field of barley or lentiles, routed and slew the enemy, and secured a victory for Israel. It is observable that, whilst the valour of the hero is celebrated, by which a defeat was turned into a victory, the result is ascribed to Jehovah, God of hosts: "The Lord saved them by a great deliverance." This deliverance may be regarded as symbolical of that yet greater salvation which our redeeming and merciful God has wrought on behalf, not of Israel only, but of mankind a spiritual and everlasting deliverance.

I THE LORD IS THE AUTHOR OF THIS SALVATION.

1. His mind designed it. The gospel is the good news of Divine compassion, and the expression of Divine wisdom. It bears the impress of

2. his character. It witnesses to his attributes. It is his supreme word to the children of men.

3. His Son achieved it. The battle was fought when Jesus lived, was won when Jesus died. He is the Hero who girds his sword upon his thigh, and goes forth, conquering and to conquer.

1. His Spirit applies it. The deliverance has to be effected, not only for but in every ransomed and saved one who experiences the Saviour"s interposition and shares his conquest.

II THIS SALVATION IS GREAT, BEYOND ALL COMPARISON, BEYOND ALL PRAISE.

1. To understand the magnitude of the salvation, consider from what the redeemed of the Lord are saved. Israel had been saved from the bondage of Egypt, and in this book it appears they were repeatedly saved from the thraldom of the Philistines. From how much worse a slavery a captivity are men redeemed by the grace of God our Saviour, which appeared inChristi The gospel announces release from the bonds of sin and the yoke of Satan.

1. Consider at what a cost we are redeemed. "Not with corruptible things, such as silver and gold, but with the precious blood of Christ.

2. Consider the nature of the safety the salvation which Christ secures for his people. It is not merely a deliverance from sin and death; it is a conferring of happiness, dignity, and joy; it is the impartation of the Divine favour, the bestowal of the Divine Spirit.

3. Consider its final, eternal character. It is a deliverance extending through time and into eternity, a salvation from which there is no return to bondage.

4. Consider for how great a multitude it is obtained. Many of all nations enjoy its benefits, and at last, "a great multitude which no man can number" shall join in the everlasting anthem ascribing salvation to God and the Lamb.

PRACTICAL LESSONS.

1. A great deliverance calls for great gratitude and great devotion from those who experience its blessings.

2. A great deliverance published is a great opportunity for the enslaved and oppressed. It is their privilege to accept the remission and the liberty proclaimed. T.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.