1 Chronicles 18:6

Or, Darmesek.

That is, in all things that he enterprised.

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

(6) Put garrisons.—The noun here omitted in the Hebrew, probably by an oversight, occurs in Samuel. In 1Ch_11:16 and 2Ch_17:2 it means “out post,” or “garrison;” in 1Ki_4:19, “prefects,” or “pashas.” The Targum of Samuel gives strategi, “generals;” Syriac and Arabic, “prefects” and “collectors;” LXX. and Vulg., “garrison.” The Arabic here has “collectors and guards;” the Syriac, “commanders.”

Syria-damascus.—Aram of Damascus (1Ch_18:5). (Comp. 1Ch_18:2 for the next clause.)

David’s servants.—To David servants—the order in Samuel.

Thus.—And.

Preserved.—Made victorious.

Preserved David.—Samuel has ‘eth-David—i.e., the simple accusative; Chronicles, le-David, a late construction.

Whithersoever he went.—Same phrase as in 1Ch_17:6; 1Ch_17:8.

Shields.—Shiltê. Probably “armour” or “arms.” (Comp. 2Ki_11:10; 2Ch_23:9, “the spears, and the shields, and the sh’lâtîm; “Eze_27:11; Son_4:4; Jer_51:11, “quivers.”) LXX. here, “golden collars” (Samuel, “bracelets”); Syriac and Arabic, “golden plates which hung on the horses;” Vulg., “quivers (Samuel, “golden arms”).

Hadadezer was not dethroned, but became a vassal king.

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

6. put garrisons in Syria of Damascus] To secure his rear in any future operations towards Hamath or towards the Euphrates.

brought gifts] See note on 1Ch_18:2.

preserved David] R.V. gave victory to David.

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.

A garrison. Literally, "soldiers." This word has been lost by the neglect of some Hebrew transcriber. (Calmet) --- Protestants supply it. (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).

the word "garrisons" appears in the text in the parallel place, and would be justly supplied in our Hebrew text here.

HOMILIES BY J.R. THOMSON Ver. 6.

Preservation.

The contrast between the God of the Bible and the gods of the heathen, in respect to moral character, is of the most thorough and striking kind. Amongst other noticeable points of contrast, observe this: the imaginary deities of the superstitious idolaters are usually famed and feared for their destructive qualities, whilst the Lord is ever represented as a God of salvation, delighting to preserve his people. The bloodthirsty Shiva, one of the most widely worshipped gods of the Hindus, is the destroyer. Jehovah, it is recorded, "preserved David whithersoever he went.

I THE DANGERS of ordinary human life are many. It is not only kings and warriors who are exposed to peril, though the position of monarchs exposes them to the violence of the assassin, and the occupation of the soldier is in itself a challenge to the dart of death; but in every position of life, at every age and in every clime, we walk encompassed by dangers seen and unseen.

II DIVINE PROTECTION is a truth supported by revelation. Not by reason of favouritism and caprice, not in response to any superstitious observances or entreaties, but in virtue of his own attributes, God is a Protector. He is not satisfied to create, and then to abandon what he has made. His universal providence, general and particular, is the joy and comfort of his people. It is equally shown in their prosperity and their adversity.

III Hence THE PRESERVATION OF GOD"S PEOPLE FROM HARM. He is their Shield, and Buckler, their Defence, and Fortress. He delivers their eyes from tears, their souls from death, their feet from falling. The confidence of the psalmist was signal and most instructive. (see Ps 91) It is a source of security and consolation to know that our times are in God"s hands.

An earthquake may be bid to spare The man that"s strangled with a hair.

And when Christians fall victims to the hate and hostility of sinners, or are slain by the operation of natural laws, they still have the assurance that no real evil can befall them.

Angel-guards from thee surround us; We are safe, for thou art nigh.

Well may the friend of Jesus exclaim, "I will trust and not be afraid.

IV The obligation is plain, GRATEFULLY TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PRESERVING MERCY OF GOD. The royal psalmist was not backward in recording with adoring gratitude the delivering and upholding mercy of a faithful God. Never should we forget that he that is our God is the God of salvation. T.

HOMILIES BY R. TUCK

Vers. 6, 13.

Divine preservations in work and war.

In the record given of David"s expeditions and wars, one thing stands out prominently and impressively; it is twice repeated here, as if to it attention was to be particularly drawn: "The Lord preserved David whithersoever he went;" or, in the quaint language of Nehemiah, "The good hand of his God was upon him for good." It may be noted

I THAT DAVID WAS IN ALL THINGS GOD"S SERVANT, This relation set him in an especial manner under God"s care. As his creatures, we come under his providences. As his children, we come into the grace of his fatherly tending. And as his servants, we are assured of his safe keeping while engaged in his mission. The fuller and nearer are our relations with God, the more complete may be our security and our rest in the Divine hands. Compare the expression, "Man is immortal till his work is done." Our Lord Jesus knew that no harm could come to him while he was about "his Father"s business.

II THAT DAVID"S WHOLE LIFE WAS IN GOD"S KEEPING. Because he never broke free of the idea of service. He never wanted to isolate any part of his life, and keep it for self. It is this which alone severs a man from Divine keeping. A man"s wilfully taking his life into his own hand involves the withdrawing of special Divine grace, and then the man learns the evil of his own waywardness by the unrelieved troubles into which he falls. This is the permanent lesson for the ages taught by Eve"s wilfulness in the garden of Eden. The man who can say, "We serve the Lord Christ," and apply it to his whole time and powers and spheres, may be sure that he is altogether safe in "the secret place of the Most High, abiding under the shadow of the Almighty." The angels have charge concerning him, to keep him in all his ways. They will be so near that they shall even bear him up lest he "dash his foot against a stone.

III THIS IN NO WAY INTERFERED WITH HIS SHOWING ENERGY AND ENTERPRISE, It might seem that such assurance of Divine preservation would give a sense of security that would lead to indolence and indifference. But it never does do so, because such a temptation is resisted and overcome by the impulse to faithfulness. To look at, the good man"s life should in these respects be the same as the worldly man"s. On the surface there should be the energy, enterprise, perseverance, and skill, which are the conditions of success in worldly undertakings. The difference lies below. The good man lives and labours for God, and in his strength. The worldly man has no other end than his own fancied good. It may be fully proved and illustrated, from Bible examples, and from those of the Christian history, that full consecration to the service of God has ever been the impulse to a nobler living than any other motive can inspire men to reach. God"s servants always strive to be the best possible in every sphere where they are set.

IV IT BROUGHT DAVID STRENGTH FOR DUTY, AND BEST FOR THE HEART, TO BE ASSURED THAT GOD"S SHADOW WAS OVER HIM. Compare such expressions as, "I will both lay me down in peace and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety;" "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?" And compare such experiences of strength as when fighting the lion and bear, or the giant Goliath; and such experiences of preservation as when hunted by King Saul upon the mountains. All new undertakings were entered upon with the quiet heart. God hath kept; he has promised to keep. "He that keepeth Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps.

Here meet the ever-recurring difficulty of practically fitting together man"s energy and God"s inspirations; man"s enterprise and God"s preservations; man"s free-will and God"s absolute will. Show that to the man who fully trusts, the difficulty fades away; and that, in a most real and practical sense, God"s care and preservation and grace are the sanctifying shadow under which noble lives are now lived. R.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 David placed in Aram of Damascus The meaning is [that he stationed] governors, and in II Samuel (8:6), it is stated explicitly: “And David placed governors in Aram of Damascus.”

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.