Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Chronicles 12:15
These [are] they that went over Jordan in the first month, when it had overflown all his banks; and they put to flight all [them] of the valleys, [both] toward the east, and toward the west.
15. in the first month ] In Nisan (the month of harvest) when the snow was melting and filling all streams; cp. Jos 3:15.
all them of the valleys ] i.e. all inhabitants of the valleys who in the interest of Saul sought to bar their march westward to join David.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
On the danger of the exploit, see the marginal reference note.
This passage 1Ch 12:8-15 seems to be taken verbatim from an ancient source, the poetical expressions in 1Ch 12:8, 1Ch 12:14, being especially unlike the usual style of our author.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 15. In the first month] Perhaps this was the month Nisan, which answers to a part of our March and April. This was probably before the snows on the mountains were melted, just as Jordan began to overflow its banks; or if we allow that it had already overflowed its banks, it made their attempt more hazardous, and afforded additional proof of their heroism.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
They that went over Jordan, to wit, in Sauls time, when, it seems, the enemies of the Israelites had made an inroad, and done some mischiefs to the Israelites beyond Jordan, to whose help these then came.
When it had overflown all his banks; as it commonly did about that time. See Jos 3:15; 4:18; Jer 49:19. This is noted either as a description of the time when this was done, it being usual with historians to note the circumstances of great actions; or as an aggravation of the fact. And possibly these, being men of great nimbleness and dexterity, did swim over Jordan, through their ardent desire to help their brethren, and to fight with their enemies.
All them of the valleys, i.e. the people that lived in the valleys or deserts beyond Jordan, who, as it seems, when Saul was engaged against the Philistines, took that advantage to fall upon the Israelites beyond Jordan.
Toward the east, and toward the west; either,
1. The people that lived more eastward, and remote from Jordan, and those who lived more westward, or nearer to it. Or,
2. Them made they fly several ways, some eastward, some westward, as they saw the way open for them. See Deu 28:7,25.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
15. These are they that went overJordan in the first monththat is, in spring, when the swollenriver generally fills up the banks of its channel (see on Jos3:14; Jos 4:19; Jos5:10).
they put to flight all themof the valleysThis was probably done at the time of theirseparating themselves and their purpose being discovered, they had tocut their passage through the opposing adherents of Saul, both on theeastern and western banks. The impossibility of taking the fords atsuch a time, and the violent rapidity of the current, make thiscrossing of the Jordanin whatever way these Gadites accomplishedita remarkable feat.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
These are they that went over Jordan in the first month,…. The month Nisan or Ab; as they must come over Jordan to come to David, since they dwelt on the other side of it:
when it had overflown all its banks; as it did at this time of the year, see Jos 3:15 which is observed to show both the time of the year when they came over, and their zeal and ardour to assist David, and their boldness and intrepidity; fearless of danger, they threw themselves into Jordan, and swam over it, in all probability when the waters of it were so deep they could not ford it, and so rapid that they were in danger of being carried away with them:
and they put to flight all them of the valleys, both towards the east, and towards the west; who dwelt in the valleys, or plains of Jordan east and west; who seeing a number of men come over, took them for enemies, and fled, so Kimchi; or, as others think, these were the Philistines, who, on the defeat of Saul, took possession of the cities of Israel, in the valleys forsaken by them, 1Sa 31:7 or rather these were the Moabites or Arabs, who made incursions into the land of Israel for prey, the Gadites met with, when they came over Jordan.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(15) When it had overflown.A proof of their valour. They did not wait till summer had made the Jordan shallow, but crossed it in spring, when perilously swollen with the rains and the melted snows of Lebanon. (Comp. Jos. 3:15.)
In the first month,MarchApril; in Heb, A bib or Nisan.
Had overflown.Was fillng or brimming over.
And they put to flight all . . . the valleys.Literally, and they made all the valleys flee: that is, their inhabitants, who were hostile to their enterprise, both to the sunrise and the sunset, or on both sides of the river.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
15. These Namely, these Gadites. The writer thus gives in this verse an instance of their valour.
Went over Jordan in the first month That is, in Abib, (April,) when the river usually overflows all its banks, and the crossing is both difficult and dangerous.
Put to flight all them of the valleys This expedition of the Gadites was, perhaps, a mere scheme of predatory conquest; or, it may have been undertaken to punish the people of these valleys for marauding expeditions they had carried on. If, however, we should understand “the hold” of 1Ch 12:8 to be that of Mizpeh of Moab, where David dwelt awhile, (1Sa 22:3-5,) this exploit of the Gadites may have taken place at the time they separated themselves from the rest of the Gadites. In resorting unto David they may have met with opposition from Saul’s partisans, and were therefore obliged to fight their way through the valleys east and west of the Jordan.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
1Ch 12:15. These are they that went over Jordan This seems to be mentioned as a mark of their intrepidity, who ventured to pass the Jordan at a time when its current was most rapid, and the passage extremely hazardous.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
1Ch 12:15 These [are] they that went over Jordan in the first month, when it had overflown all his banks; and they put to flight all [them] of the valleys, [both] toward the east, and toward the west.
Ver. 15. These are they that went over Jordan. ] To help David. Much water could not quench their love.
And they put to flight all them of the valleys. the first month. Nisan, or Abib.
overflown. Compare Jos 3:15.
first month
i.e. April.
it had overflown: Heb. it had filled over, Jos 3:15, Jos 4:18, Jer 12:5, Jer 49:19
Reciprocal: Exo 26:28 – reach
1Ch 12:15. These are they that went over Jordan, &c. Namely, in Sauls time, when, it seems, the enemies of the Israelites had made an inroad, and done some mischiefs to the Israelites beyond Jordan, to whose help these persons then came. When it had overflowed all its banks As it commonly did about that time. Probably these, being men of great courage and dexterity, swam over Jordan, at the time here specified, through their ardent desire to help their brethren, and to fight with their enemies. And they put to flight all them of the valleys The people that lived in the valleys or deserts beyond Jordan, who, it seems, when Saul was engaged against the Philistines, took that advantage to fall upon the Israelites beyond Jordan. Both toward the east and toward the west Both the people that lived more eastward and remote from Jordan, and those that lived more westward and nearer to it.
12:15 These [are] they that went over Jordan in the {d} first month, when it had overflown all his banks; and they put to flight all [them] of the valleys, [both] toward the east, and toward the west.
(d) Which the Hebrews called Nisan, or Abib, containing half March and half April, when Jordan was wont to overflow its banks, read Jos 3:15.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Fuente: Scofield Reference Bible Notes
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes