Bible Commentaries

1 Chronicles 19:1-5

And David sent messengers to comfort him concerning his father.

The menage of condolence

I. The generous message of David.

1. In its accession.

2. In its form.

II. The disgraceful treatment of David’s messengers. Shaving their beards and shortening their garments, a double insult in the East, where long beards and long garments are badges of honour. Many Orientals would rather die than lose their beards (signs of dignity and ornaments of freedom), and Turks used to regard beardless Europeans as runaway slaves.

III. The considerate kindness for the disgraced messengers. (J. Wolfendale.)

Thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father.

Suspicions

Don’t be suspicious. Some people think they are very clever in finding out what is wrong where no one else sees anything amiss, and these often make themselves very ridiculous. Tennyson, when a young man, was walking through Wales, on his way back from the Continent, and turned into a little wayside inn, where an old man sat by the fire, and asked many questions in s very suspicious fashion. “Are you from the army? Not from the army? Then where do you come from?” he bluntly asked at last. “I am just come from the Pyrenees,” said the poet. “Ah, I knew there was ‘a something!’” was the knowing clincher of the old man. Could anything have been more ridiculous? Don’t be suspicious; think the best, believe the best, love the best; remember that everybody finds just what he seeks. You will always find “a something” if it is “a something” you are seeking, but you will also always find what is good and beautiful if you are in search of that. (J. Reid Howatt.)

1 Chronicles 19:6-9

And when the children of Ammon.

Avenging an insult

I. Insult springing from slight provocation.

1. From a suspicious mind.

2. From advice of jealous princes.

II. Insult leading to unjust war. This War might have been avoided by an honourable apology or better understanding. One evil leads to smother.

III. War terminating in disgraceful overthrow. (J. Wolfendale.)

1 Chronicles 19:16-18

Now when Joab saw that the battle was set against him.

The war-cry

I. The purpose for which they fought.

II. The method in which they fought.

1. A wise economy of forces.

2. A determination to render mutual help.

III. The spirit in which they fought.

1. Of exalted courage.

2. Of true patriotism.

3. Of submission to God. (J. Wolfendale.)