1 Chronicles 11:16

1Ch 11:16 And David [was] then in the hold, and the Philistines’ garrison [was] then at Bethlehem.

1Ch 11:17 And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, that [is] at the gate!

Ver. 16-17. See on 2Sa 23:14-17.

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.

(16) The hold.—The stronghold or rock-fortress of Adullam (2Sa_5:17; 2Sa_23:14).

The Philistines’ garrison.—An outpost; for their army was camping near Jerusalem.

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

16. in the hold] Cp. note on the cave of Adullam (1Ch_11:15).

the Philistines’ garrison] R.V. the garrison of the Philistines. The word may however mean “the Philistine governor” (so read in 1Sa_13:3-4 for the same Heb. word). The parallel passage however (2Sa_23:14) has “the garrison of the Philistines.”

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.

Garrison, or advanced guard.

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).

David was then in the hold. This statement may, perhaps, sufficiently identify this occasion with that of 2Sa_5:17, 2Sa_5:18; where it is expressly said that "David went down to the hold" (hdWxm) being the word found there as here ). Garrison. The Hebrew here says "officer" (byxin), but the parallel passage has "garrison" (bXm); yet, according to Gesenius ("Thes.," 903), the former word has both meanings. He is right, certainly, if he means that it has received both translations, for see 1Ki_4:19 for the one, and our present passage supplies the other. (1Sa_10:5 1Sa_13:3)

Vers. 16-19.

The well of Bethlehem.

This is one of the most touching and poetical incidents in the romantic life of the son of Jesse. It exhibits him in a light in which we cannot but discern both his amiability and his piety.

I DAVID"S DESIRE. He was, with his faithful band of valiant followers, in the stronghold upon the borders of the Philistine territory. The enemy were in possession of his native vale, the scene of his boyish happiness and youthful exploits. It was a position of danger and of privation this which he occupied at this time. How natural, how human, his desire for a draught of the bright, cool water from the spring that gushed from the hillside near his father"s fields! It was a longing for home, it was a clinging to the associations of childhood, it was the unchanged heart, that prompted the desire that found utterance in his words, "Oh that one would give me," etc.!

II THE FEAT OF THE HEROES. The men David had around him were men ready for any daring exploit bold, fearless, and prompt. Yet they had tender hearts, that could sympathize with such a wish as that their chief expressed. It was a gallant and heroic feat, this which they performed, in breaking through the ranks of the Philistines, and bringing to David the draught of water his soul desired from the dear well at Bethlehem.

III THE SELF-SACRIFICING AND PIOUS ACT OF THE LEADER. David appreciated the faithfulness, the sympathy, the bravery, of the noble three. He could not drink the water, for it seemed to him like the life-blood of the heroes. It was too precious for any but for Jehovah. Accordingly he poured it out in a pious libation before the Lord, giving his best to God.

LESSONS.

1. The sacredness and beauty of human feeling. The associations ofchildhood and of home are precious, and it is no sign of weakness to cherish them.

2. The beauty of self-sacrifice. What more admirable than the willingness torun all risks to serve, to make happy, those whom we honour and love?

3. The supremacy of the Divine claims. God has a right to our hearts andto all that is dear to them. Withhold not from him his own. T.

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

and a Philistine governor was then in Bethlehem for they had already taken Bethlehem and stationed a governor therein, who judged [the region]. This was at the beginning of his reign, for the Philistines were still ruling over them, for so we find that prior to David’s arrival, they ruled over Israel in the days of Samson and Samuel, as it is written (I Samuel 4:9): “Strengthen yourselves and be valiant, Philistines, lest you serve the Hebrews, etc.”

Rashi on the Tanakh — English translations: “The Judaica Press complete Tanach with Rashi, translated by A. J. Rosenberg” (CC BY 4.0); “Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934” (public domain); “The Metsudah Tanach series, Lakewood, N.J” (CC BY 4.0); and “The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997” (CC BY 4.0). Text via Sefaria.