Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Chronicles 4:43
And they smote the rest of the Amalekites that were escaped, and dwelt there unto this day.
43. the rest of the Amalekites ] R.V. the remnant of the Amalekites i.e. the descendants of those who had escaped from Saul (1 Samuel 15). They had apparently found refuge in some part of the Edomite territory, for Mount Seir is a synonym for the land of Edom.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Unto this day – These words are probably taken from the record which the writer of Chronicles had before him, and do not imply that the Simeonites remained undisturbed in their conquests until after the return from the captivity. So 1Ch 4:41.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 43. They smote the rest of the Amalekites] Those who had escaped in the war which Saul made against them, (see 1Sa 14:48,) and from David, who had attacked them afterwards, 2Sa 8:12.
THE expedition of the Simeonites mentioned here, against Gedor and Seir, was in the days of Hezekiah; and, as Calmet conjectures, near about the time of the captivity of the ten tribes, when the remnant of Simeon would feel themselves obliged to retire more southward, into Arabia Petraea, for fear of the Jews. These may be probable conjectures. – See Calmet.
There are several things in the account of Jabez that are very instructive: –
1. He appears to have been a child brought into the world with great difficulty, at the risk of his own life and that of his mother. So much seems to be implied in, she bare him with sorrow, i.e., with peculiar sorrow and danger.
2. To perpetuate the merciful interposition of God in her own and her son’s behalf, she gave him a name that must have recalled to her and his remembrance the danger to which both their lives were exposed, and from which they could not have been extricated but by the especial help of God. She called his name Jabez, c.
3. He was brought up in the fear of God he was no idolater; he worshipped the God of Israel, and he showed the sincerity of his faith by frequent and earnest prayer.
4. His prayer was at once both enlightened and pious. He had piety towards God, and therefore he trusted in him: he knew that he was the fountain of all good, and therefore he sought all necessaries both for body and soul from him. He prayed to the God of Israel.
5. Both the matter and manner of his prayer were excellent. His heart was deeply impressed with its wants, and therefore he was earnest and fervent; O that thou wouldest bless me indeed; im barech tebarecheni; “O that in blessing thou wouldest bless me!” Let me live under thy benediction! Do thou diligently and frequently bless me!
6. He prays for the things necessary for the body as well as for the soul: And enlarge my coasts – grant me as much territory as may support my family. Let the means of living be adequate to the demands of life; let me have the necessaries, conveniences, and, as far as they may be safely intrusted with me, the comforts of life! O that thou wouldest enlarge my coasts!
7. He is conscious that without the continual support of God he must fail; and therefore he prays to be upheld by his power: That thy hand might be with me! May I ever walk with thee, and ever feel the hand of thy power to support and cover me in all the trials, dangers, and difficulties of life; and the hand of thy providence to supply all my wants in reference to both worlds!
8. He dreads both sin and suffering, and therefore prays against both: O that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! Sin and misery are in every step of the journey of life; keep me from sin, that I grieve thee not; and keep me from sin, that I render not myself miserable! We can never offend God without injuring ourselves; he that sins must suffer. Thorns and scorpions are everywhere in the way to perdition; and he that walks in it must be torn and stung. He alone is happy who walks in the ways of God. Keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me.
9. Prayers that have a right aim will have a right answer; Jabez did not pray in vain, for God granted him that which he requested. He was continually blessed; his family was increased; the hand of God was upon him for good. He was saved from sin, and saved from the pangs and sufferings of a guilty conscience.
10. If we take up the character and conduct of Jabez in the view given by the Chaldee, we shall not only see him as a pious and careful man, deeply interested in behalf of himself and his family, but we shall see him as a benevolent man, labouring for the welfare of others, and especially for the religious instruction of youth. He founded schools, in which the young and rising generation were taught useful knowledge, and especially the knowledge of God. He had disciples, which were divided into three classes, who distinguished themselves by their fervour in the worship of God, by their docility in obediently hearing and treasuring up the advices and instructions of their teachers, and by their deep piety to God in bringing forth the fruits of the Spirit. The spirit of prophecy, that is, of prayer and supplication, rested upon them.
11. He did not do these things merely as a duty he owed to God and his fellows, but from the abundance of a generous and loving heart: In his counsel he erected a school of disciples. God had blessed him with temporal things, and he secures their continuance by devoting them to his service; he honours God with his substance, and God honours him with his especial blessing and approbation.
12. On these accounts he was more honourable than his brethren. He was of the same stock and the same lineage; he had neither nobility of birth, nor was distinguished by earthly titles; in all these respects he was on a level with his brethren: but God tells us that he was more honourable than them all; and why? because he prayed, because he served his Maker, and because he lived to do good among men; therefore he received the honour that cometh from God. Reader, imitate the conduct of this worthy Israelite, that thou mayest be a partaker of his blessings.
The things added by the Targumist might have been derived from authentic tradition.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
The rest of the Amalekites; not destroyed by Saul, or David, or his successors.
Unto this day; either,
1. Until the captivity of the ten tribes. But that happening so speedily after this time, this expression may seem to be very improper and insignificant here. Or rather,
2. Until the Babylonish captivity, or the time next after it, when these books were written. For although the main body of that tribe dwelling in Canaan were carried into captivity, yet this small remnant of them having removed their dwellings, and being planted in Mount Seir, which lay southward from Judah, might possibly be continued and preserved in those parts, when their brethren were gone into captivity.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And they smote the rest of the Amalekites that were escaped,…. That escaped the sword of Saul; though, according to the Jews n, 100,000 of them were slain by him in one day; and of the sword of David, though he is said not to leave man or woman alive, 1Sa 27:8
and dwelt there unto this day; in the cities of the Amalekites, even of the posterity of the above; who were some of the remnant of Israel, that were not carried away by the king of Assyria, and who dwelt here after the return of the Jews from the Babylonish captivity, even in the times of Ezra, the writer of this book; see 2Ch 34:9.
n Midrash Esther, fol. 93. 4.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(43) The rest of the Amalekites that were escaped.Literally, the remnant of the survivors (pelth, an abstract collective word) belonging to Amalek. These Amalekites are usually supposed to have been some who had taken refuge in Seir from Saul and Davids exterminating wars (1Sa. 14:48; 1Sa. 15:7; 2Sa. 8:12. Comp. 1Ch. 1:36, where Amalek appears as a partly Edomite stock.)
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
43. The Amalekites that were escaped Supposed to be those who escaped the sword of Saul and David. 1Sa 14:48 ; 2Sa 8:12.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
REFLECTIONS
READER! it is a sweet thought, in the contemplation of what is here recorded of the tribes of Judah and of Simeon, to recollect that God is the God of all the families of Israel, both then, and now, and forever. Yes, blessed Lord God, Jehovah, thou hast loved with an everlasting love, and thou changest not; therefore it is, the sons of Jacob are not consumed. And oh! how glorious is it, to see the eternal security of this love founded in the person, and established in the perfect obedience, righteousness, and salvation of thy dear Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Reader! let us in the character and conduct of Jabez, learn those sweet lessons which, in a gospel sense, and with an eye to Jesus, are afforded us in his example. It is but little that is said of Jabez: but that little opens vast improvement. Though more honourable than his brethren, though so remarkable for his piety, so steadfast in his trust on a covenant God: yet how short a relation is made of him among men? How delightful the thought in the breast of the believer, whose life is hid with Christ in God! However unknown, unobserved, unnoticed, by the world, yet eternally secure, and eternally happy in Jesus! Jabez prayed not to an unknown God; not to one uncertain to hear, and uncertain to answer; but to Israel’s God, a God in covenant with his chosen from everlasting. And what was the burden of Jabez’s prayer, Oh! that thou wouldest bless me (said he) indeed: that thou wouldst enlarge my coast; that thine hand might be with me; to keep use from evil, that it might not grieve me. And is not this a gospel prayer in Jesus? What is it to be blest indeed, but to have our sins cancelled in the blood of Christ: for how can I be blest indeed until my sins are forgiven, and till I have redemption in Jesus’s blood, according to the riches of God’s grace? How will my coast be enlarged, until that Christ hath made me free, and enlarged my heart, and mouth, and lips, to the praises of his name? And how shall I be kept and secured everlastingly in this freedom, unless He that pardons still upholds, He that redeems continues still to preserve, and He that sanctifies still shines in upon me, and takes not his Holy Spirit from me? Oh Lord! thou that didst hear and answer the prayer of Jabez, hear me, and grant my request, for all these spiritual blessings in Jesus! Bless me, my God, and make me truly happy indeed, by making me all that thou wouldst have me to be in Jesus; that He may be my portion, my hope, my joy, my life, my salvation, in time and to all eternity.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
1Ch 4:43 And they smote the rest of the Amalekites that were escaped, and dwelt there unto this day.
Ver. 43. And they smote the rest of the Amalekites. ] Whose preservation from the sword of Joshua, Exo 17:13 of Saul, 1Sa 15:7 and of David, 2Sa 8:12 was but a reservation to this utter destruction, which God had solemnly sworn, with hand laid upon his own throne. Exo 17:16
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
the rest of the Amalekites. Not all destroyed in 1Sa 15:8. A number survived. Compare 1Sa 27:8; 1Sa 30:1. 2Sa 8:12. Est 3:1. See note on Exo 17:16.
unto this day. Evidently not disturbed by the king of Babylon in the deportation of Israel.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
the rest: That is, those who escaped in the war which Saul, and afterwards David, made against them. Exo 17:14-16, Deu 25:17-19, 1Sa 15:7, 1Sa 15:8, 1Sa 30:17, 2Sa 8:12
unto this day: Deu 34:6, Jdg 1:26, 2Ch 5:9, Jer 44:6, Mat 27:8, Mat 28:15
Reciprocal: Num 24:20 – his latter end Deu 25:19 – thou shalt
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1Ch 4:43. They smote the rest of the Amalekites Not destroyed by Saul, or David, or his successors. That dwelt there unto this day Until the Babylonish captivity, or the time next after it, when these books were written. For, although the main body of the tribe of Simeon, dwelling in Canaan, were carried into captivity, yet this small remnant of them, having removed their dwellings, and being planted In mount Seir, which lay southward from Judah, might possibly be continued and preserved in those parts, when their brethren were gone into captivity.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
4:43 And they smote the rest of the Amalekites that were {m} escaped, and dwelt there unto this day.
(m) And were not slain by Saul and David.