The LORD was with Judah, and drove out the inhabitants of the hill country; for he could not drive out the inhabitants of the valley, because they had chariots of iron.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 19. Was not able, and so forth Through a cowardly fear of their chariots armed with hooks and scythes, and for want of confidence in God. Challoner.—Hebrew does not sy expressly that Juda could not: quia non ad expellendum, and so forth He had not the courage or the will. With God’s assistance, what had he to fear? Were these Philistines with their chariots, more terrible than the giants in their fortresses?—Scythes. Hebrew receb barzel, “chariots of iron.” Calmet.—The Rom. and Alex. Septuagint have “Rechab was opposed to them.” Bible.—The edit. of Basil adds, “and they had chariots of iron,” as Saint Augustine (q. 5,) reads. A double translation is thus given. Calmet.—These chariots were calculated to cut down all that came in contact with them. Curt. iv. Worthington.