Teks -- 1 Chronicles 12:15 (NET)

12:15 They crossed the Jordan River in the first month, when it was overflowing its banks, and routed those living in all the valleys to the east and west.

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per frasa)

JFB: 1Ch 12:15 - These are they that went over Jordan in the first month

That is, in spring, when the swollen river generally fills up the banks of its channel (see on Jos 3:14; Jos 4:19; Jos 5:10).

JFB: 1Ch 12:15 - they put to flight all them of the valleys

This was probably done at the time of their separating themselves and their purpose being discovered, they had to cut their passage through the opposing adherents of Saul, both on the eastern and western banks. The impossibility of taking the fords at such a time, and the violent rapidity of the current, make this crossing of the Jordan--in whatever way these Gadites accomplished it--a remarkable feat.

Clarke: 1Ch 12:15 - In the first month

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.

TSK: 1Ch 12:15 - it had overflown

it had overflown : Heb. it had filled over, Jos 3:15, Jos 4:18; Jer 12:5, Jer 49:19

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per Ayat)

Poole: 1Ch 12:15 - They that went over Jordan // When it had overflown all his banks // All them of the valleys // Toward the east, and toward the west

They that went over Jordan to wit, in Saul’ s 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 .

Haydock: 1Ch 12:15 - Month // Banks

Month, Nisan. (Tirinus) ---

Banks. This circumstance enhances their courage. Maundrel (Alep. p. 136) went to see the Jordan, 13th March, 1697, but the river was nine feet from the banks. Its rapidity has perhaps made its bed so much deeper, that it does not overflow so frequently at present. (Calmet)

Gill: 1Ch 12:15 - These are they that went over Jordan in the first month // when it had overflown all its banks // and they put to flight all them of the valleys, both towards the east, and towards the west

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.