(8) Tibhath, and . . . Chun.--Two unknown places. The names in Samuel are Betah and Berothai. Tebah occurs as an Aramean name in Genesis 22:24, of which "Tibhath" is a feminine form, and "Betah" probably a corruption. Syriac, "T?bah" and "B?r-thi" in both places. So Arabic of Samuel, "T?b?h" and "Bar-ti" (here "Himsa" and "Baalbec," probably by way of an explanation). The readings of the LXX., "Metebak" (or Masbach) in Samuel, and "Matebeth" here, support Tebah. Vulgate in Samuel, "Bete," but here "Thebath," obviously equivalent to Tibhath. "Chun" is doubtless corrupt. All the versions support "Berothai" (LXX., "chosen cities;" comp. Heb., b?roth) except Arabic and Vulg. here.
Muchbrass.--Copper (as Job 28:2), or bronze (an alloy of copper and tin, which was well known to the ancients). Samuel, "copper in abundance" (harb?h), an older form of expression.
Wherewith Solomon made. . .--Not in the Hebrew of Samuel, though LXX. adds it.
Verse 8. - Tibhath, and... Chun. These names replace Betah and Berothai in the parallel place, in the former case with possibility of orthographic explanation, but not in the latter. The purpose for which David was glad to take their brass is not mentioned in Samuel, but only here. The brazen sea, and the pillars, and the vessels of brass (see 1 Kings 7:14-47; 2 Chronicles 4:1-18). In this latter place these subjects will be found treated more fully. This so-called "brazen sea" (אתֵ־יָם הַגְּחשֶׁת) took the place in Solomon's temple of (he earlier brazen laver (כִּיּור גְחשֶׁת) of the Mosaic ritual (Exodus 30:17-21; Leviticus 8:10, 11; 1 Kings 7:38). It is now called a sea, because of its large size. The use of the original laver is plainly told, for the priests to wash at it their hands and feet before offering sacrifices. It stood in the court of the tabernacle, between the altar and the door. The ten lavers of Solomon's temple were used for washing the sacrificial victims themselves (2 Chronicles 4:6). The brazen sea (which was rather of copper than brass, however) rested upon twelve standing oxen, three turning their faces to each quarter of the heavens. Its height was five cubits, its diameter ten cubits, the thickness of its metal a handbreadth, and its capacity variously given at two thousand baths (1 Kings 7:26) or three thousand (2 Chronicles 4:5). It was removed from its supports of oxen by Ahaz (2 Kings 16:17), and placed on a pedestal of stone. And it was eventually destroyed by the Assyrians (2 Kings 25:13). And the pillars. (For these pillars of the porch, named Jachin and Boaz, see 1 Kings 7:15-22; 2 Chronicles 3:15-17.) And the vessels of brass. (For these, see 1 Kings 7:40-51; 2 Chronicles 4:16-18.)
18:1-17 David's victories. - This chapter is the same as 2Sa 8. Our good fight of faith, under the Captain of our salvation, will end in everlasting triumph and peace. The happiness of Israel, through David's victories, and just government, faintly shadowed forth the happiness of the redeemed in the realms above.
Much brass.--Copper (as Job 28:2), or bronze (an alloy of copper and tin, which was well known to the ancients). Samuel, "copper in abundance" (harb?h), an older form of expression.
Wherewith Solomon made . . .--Not in the Hebrew of Samuel, though LXX. adds it.