Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Chronicles 7:11
All these the sons of Jediael, by the heads of their fathers, mighty men of valor, [were] seventeen thousand and two hundred [soldiers], fit to go out for war [and] battle.
11. by the heads of their fathers ] R.V. according to the heads of their fathers’ houses.
soldiers, fit to go out for war and battle ] R.V. that were able to go forth in the host for war. The total armed strength of Benjamin acc. to 1Ch 7:7; 1Ch 7:9; 1Ch 7:11 was 59,434; cp. Num 1:37; Num 26:41.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
1Ch 7:11
Fit to go out for war and battle.
The need for preparation
Fit to go is an expression which points to the matter of qualification. Mere age does not make a man fit to sit in the council, or to go forth to battle, or to assume the position of dignity, We must undergo discipline, instruction, mortification. Do not go out until you are qualified. When you are truly qualified you will know the fact by the using of holy impulses, by the pressure as of an invisible hand urging you on in the right way, the way of Divine decree and destiny. To-day should always be a preparation for to-morrow; everything we learn should have in it something more than itself. When the gymnast undergoes his discipline, it is that he may use his acquired strength in other and better directions than mere amusement. Let all eating and drinking, all reading and study, all companionship and travel, have before it a high purpose, a purpose of preparation for battle and race, for conflict and suffering. (J. Parker, D. D.)
Fit for war
Genius, say some, is but a capacity for hard work. This is not a whole truth; there must be work in accordance with law. The miner who digs for gold on the seashore will never find it, though he dig ever so laboriously; but if he study gold and the geologic strata in which it lives, he has begun to put himself in harmony with law. Mere work, unless properly directed, is like riding a hobby-horse; there is energy and motion, but no progress For years Napoleon was living in miniature the battles he was to fight, analysing strategic moves and positions, and training his mind to thus grasp a new situation on the instant. Von Moltke studied the military topography of all Europe, and with marvellous foresight thought out how to win. His victory was no triumph of mere fortune or special inspiration. It was but the logical outcome of his trained mind, and a trained mind ever lights the torch of its own inspiration. Leonardo da Vinci always carried in his girdle his sketch-book in his walks in Florence, constantly looking for picturesque faces. In the silence of the night, he would counsel himself, recall the ideas of the things you have studied. Design in your spirit the contours and outlines of the figures you have seen during the day. (New Science Review.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
All these the sons of Jediael, by the heads of their fathers, mighty men of valour, [were] seventeen thousand and two hundred [soldiers], fit to go out for war and battle. Which, with the above sums put together, make of the tribe of Benjamin, besides what follow, 59,430; who, if numbered by Joab, the account was not given in by him, 1Ch 21:6.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(11) All these the sons of Jediael.Render, All these were sons of Jediael; (according) to the heads of the clans, valiant warriors; 17,200 going out in host to the battle. Perhaps the particle (according to) should be omitted. In any case, the chiefs or the clans are regarded as one with their warriors.
The sum of the warriors of Benjamin is thus 54,434. The Mosaic census (Num. 26:41) gave 45,600. An increase of barely 14,000 in the course of atleast three centuries may seem too small. But the tribe was well-nigh exterminated in the vengeance which Israel took for the crime of Gibeah (Jdg. 20:47).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
“Handfuls of Purpose,”
For All Gleaners
“… fit to go out for war and battle.” 1Ch 7:11 .
This was the estimate of usefulness in the olden time. Are we entitled to change that estimate even now, living as we do in the Christian dispensation? We are only entitled to give new definitions to the words “war” and “battle “; we are not entitled to lower the standard of qualification or fitness for the discharge of life’s duties. “Fit to go” is an expression which points to the matter of qualification. Mere age does not make a man fit to sit in the council, or to go forth to the battle, or to assume the position of dignity. We must undergo discipline, instruction, mortification; we must be humbled and chastened; then we shall know how to rule with well-controlled energy and well-directed capacity. How many are called to go out who have not undergone preparation! Sometimes a man’s qualification is merely a paper one; something has been handed to him by his dead ancestors, and he is bound to go out according to the terms of certain written covenants, to which he never consented, and which he can hardly fully understand. If we are to be fit for our work we must submit to the process needful for our education. At first that process is hard, but by repetition it becomes easier, and at last it becomes playful. Strive to enter in at the strait gate. We do it to obtain an incorruptible crown: how much higher therefore should be our discipline and completer our training than the process which is undergone by the athlete who runs that he may be crowned with ivy or with bay? Do not go out until you are qualified. When you are truly qualified you will know the fact by the rising of holy impulses, by the pressure as of an invisible hand urging you on in the right way, the way of divine decree and destiny. There is a zeal that is not according to knowledge, there is a ruthlessness which cannot win a battle. We must be so strong as to be quiet; the moment we become the victims of tumult we lose presence of mind, self-control; we strike without aiming, and we spend our strength for nought. To-day should always be a preparation for tomorrow; everything we learn should have in it something more than itself. When the gymnast undergoes his discipline it is that he may use his acquired strength in other and better directions than mere amusement. Let all eating and drinking, all reading and study, all companionship and travel, have before it a high purpose, a purpose of preparation for battle and race, for conflict and suffering.
Fuente: The People’s Bible by Joseph Parker
their fathers. Figure of speech Ellipsis (App-6), “their fathers [houses]”.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
mighty men: 2Ch 17:13-19
Reciprocal: 1Ch 7:6 – Jediael