Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Chronicles 13

1 A And David consulted with the captains of thousands, and hundreds, and with every leader .

Or, Governour, or Elder of the People.

2 And David said unto all the congregation of Israel , I[illegible: 1+ letters] it seem good unto you, and that it be of the LORD our God , let us send abroad unto our brethren every where, that are left in all the land of Israel, and with them also to the Priests and Levites, which are in their cities and suburbs, that they may gather themselves unto us.

i. e. Unto all the People then assembled with him at [illegible: 1 word]. This Story is mentioned in another place in 2 Sam. 5. & 6. even after the taking of Ierusalem and the two first Fights with the Philistins, whereas here it is placed before the latter, and there is no mention here of the former. The matter may be thus conceived: There being now a great and general concourse of all Israel, and David being now Established in his Throne with universal consent and applause, he begins with God, and his first Thoughts and Cares are about Religion and the Ark, then the great Instrument and Ornament of it and takes the Opportunity of this Assembly to desire their Advice and Concurrence with him in it, that the Ark might be brought either to Hebron, which then was the Royal City; or to Ierusalem, which, as probably he told them, he was resolved to besiege, and doubted not, by Gods Help, to take. After this was proposed by the King and accepted by the People, this great Assembly was dismissed, onely some of them David reserved to go with him against Ierusalem, which accordingly he did, and succeeded in his Enterprize, as is related, 1 Sam. 5. But before this Resolution could be executed, the Philistins came and fought twice with David, as is related 1 Sam. 5. 17, &c. and here, ch. 14. 8▪ &c. And after they were repulsed with great loss and shame. David sets upon the Execution of that which before he had resolved, and in order to it calls another General Assembly of the People.

i. e. If this Translation of the Ark be pleasing to God, which I purpose to enquire by the Urim after the manner, and to act accordingly.

Heb. let us break out and send, i. e. let us send Messengers speedily and universally to the several Tribes. We are now in some sort pent up in a Corner of the Land in Hebron▪ but let us break up the Assembly and disperse our selves and send far and near about this Work. It is a Metaphor from the Sea or Rivers, which, when the Banks are broken, do suddenly overflow the whole adjoyning Country.

By which word he minds them of the great Desolations and Destructions which God for their sins had hitherto made among them; and therefore adviseth that Remnant whom God had so graciously saved in and from those dreadful Ruines, that they would more seriously set themselves to seek God than they had formerly done.

Marginal references: Heb. let us break forth and s[illegible: 1+ letters]nd.; Heb. in the cities of their [illegible: 1 word].

3 And let us bring again the ark of our God to us: for we enquired not at it in the days of Saul .

The Ark was then neglected; and the generality of the People either lived in the gross neglect of the solemn Worship of God; or contented themselves with going to Gibeon and offering Sacrifices there, not caring, though the Ark, the Soul of the Tabernacle, was in another place.

So it was in the days of Samuel; but it is rather charged upon Saul than him: partly because Samuel was exercised with continual Wars or expectation of Wars with the Philistins all the time of his Regency, and therefore wanted the Opportunity to bring back the Ark which Saul had and neglected: partly because Samuel took care to stir up and maintain Religion among them by other Means and in an extraordinary manner; whereas this was but one Branch of Sauls Impiety, and was joyned with a contempt of all Religion, as the History of his Life shews: and partly because it was more proper to accuse himself and the present Generation who were guilty of this neglect, than to rake into the Ashes of their deceased Progenitors, and lay his Charge against those who were dead and gon[illegible: 1+ letters] some good while since.

Marginal references: Heb. bring about

4 And all the congregation said that they would do so: for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people .

Their Consciences smiting them for their former negligence, and being fully convinced of the Piety and Reasonableness of this Proposition.

5 So David gathered all Israel together, from Shihor of Egypt , even unto the entring of Hemath, to bring the ark of God from Kirjath-jearim.

i. e. All the chosen Men of Israel, as it is phrased, 2 Sam. 6. 1. their Elders and Representatives.

Of which see Numb. 34. 5. Ios. 13. 3. 1 Chron. 13. 5.

Marginal references: 1 Sam. 7. 1. 2 Sam. 6. 2.

6 And David went up, and all Israel to Baalah, that is, to Kirjath-jearim , which belonged to Judah, to bring up thence the ark of God the LORD, that dwelleth between the cherubims, whose Name is called on it m.

Which Explication is justified by Ios. 15. 9. 60. where the same City is called by both Names. Obj. They are said to go from this Baale, 2 Sam. 6. 2. Ans. 1. Some Learned Men render that Place also to Baale, the particle Mem being sometimes used for to amongst the Hebrews, and especially amongst the Arabians. 2. Both were true; they first went to Baale for the Ark, as is here said, and then went from Baale to bring or to carry (for the word signifies either) or carrying from thence the Ark of God, as is there related. But of this and other difficulties or differences between these two Relations see the Notes on 2 Sam. 6.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word]. 1[illegible: 1+ letters]. 9▪ 60.