2 Samuel 20:19

20:19 I represent the peaceful and the faithful in Israel. You are attempting to destroy an important city in Israel. Why should you swallow up the Lord’s inheritance?”

2 Samuel 20:2

20:2 So all the men of Israel deserted David and followed Sheba son of Bicri. But the men of Judah stuck by their king all the way from the Jordan River to Jerusalem.

2 Samuel 1:8

1:8 He asked me, ‘Who are you?’ I told him, ‘I’m an Amalekite.’

Psalms 55:20

55:20 He attacks his friends;

he breaks his solemn promises to them.

Psalms 120:6-7

120:6 For too long I have had to reside

with those who hate 10  peace.

120:7 I am committed to peace, 11 

but when I speak, they want to make war. 12 


tn Heb “a city and a mother.” The expression is a hendiadys, meaning that this city was an important one in Israel and had smaller cities dependent on it.

tn Heb “went up from after.”

tn The word “River” is not in the Hebrew text, but has been supplied in the translation for clarity.

map For location see Map5-B1; Map6-F3; Map7-E2; Map8-F2; Map10-B3; JP1-F4; JP2-F4; JP3-F4; JP4-F4.

tc The present translation reads with the Qere and many medieval Hebrew mss “and I said,” rather than the Kethib which has “and he said.” See the LXX, Syriac Peshitta, and Vulgate, all of which have the first person.

sn He. This must refer to the psalmist’s former friend, who was addressed previously in vv. 12-14.

tn Heb “stretches out his hand against.”

tc The form should probably be emended to an active participle (שֹׁלְמָיו, sholÿmayv) from the verbal root שָׁלַם (shalam, “be in a covenant of peace with”). Perhaps the translation “his friends” suggests too intimate a relationship. Another option is to translate, “he attacks those who made agreements with him.”

tn Heb “he violates his covenant.”

10 tn The singular participial form probably has a representative function here. The psalmist envisions the typical hater of peace who represents the entire category of such individuals.

11 tn Heb “I, peace.”

12 tn Heb “they [are] for war.”