2 Samuel 1:1--15:37
David ........ he <01732> [when David.]
Ziklag <06860> [Ziklag.]
third <07992> [the third.]
man <0376> [a man.]
clothes <0899> [clothes.]
dirt <0127> [and earth.]
[See on]
threw <05307> [he fell.]
coming <0935> [From.]
escaped <04422> [am I.]
How ... things <04100 01697> [How went. Heb. What was, etc.]
people ......... them <05971> [the people.]
know <03045> [How knowest.]
happened <07136> [As I happened.]
The story of this young man appears to be wholly a fiction, formed for the purpose of ingratiating himself with David, as the next probable successor to the crown. There is no fact in the case, except for the bringing of the diadem and bracelets of Saul, as a sufficient evidence of his death, which, as he appears to been a plunderer of the slain, he seems to have stripped from the dead body of the unfortunate monarch. It is remarkable, that Saul, who had forfeited his crown by his disobedience and ill-timed clemency with respect to the Amalekites, should now have the insignia of royalty stripped from his person by one of those very people.
Mount <02022> [mount.]
Saul <07586> [Saul.]
[Here am I. Heb. Behold me.]
Amalekite <06003> [an Amalekite.]
dizzy <07661> [anguish, etc. or, my coat of mail, or, my embroidered coat hindereth me, that my, etc.]
death <04191> [slew.]
crown <05145> [crown.]
bracelet <0685> [bracelet.]
This was probably worn as an ensign of royalty, as is frequently the case in the East. When the Khalif Cayem Bemrillah granted the investiture of certain dominions to an Eastern prince, the ceremony was performed by sending him letters patent, a crown, chain, and bracelets. The bracelet, says Mr. Morier, are ornaments fastened above the elbows, composed of precious stones of great value, and are only worn by the king and his sons.
tore <07167> [rent.]
<0582> [likewise.]
afraid <03372> [How.]
reach out <07971> [stretch forth.]
Come <05066> [Go near.]
blood <01818> [Thy blood.]
mouth <06310> [mouth.]
chanted <06969> [lamented.]
taught <03925> [teach.]
Bow <07198> [bow.]
{Kasheth,} or the bow, was probably the title of the following threnody; so called, in the oriental style, because Saul's death was occasioned by that weapon, and because the bow of Jonathan, out of which "the arrow was shot beyond the lad," (1 Sa 20:36,) is celebrated in this song.
Book <05612> [the book.]
Yashar <03477> [Jasher. or, the upright.]
So LXX. [ ;] Targum, {siphra deooritha,} "the book of the law;" the Arabic, "the book of Ashee: this is the book of Samuel." This book was probably a collection of divine odes, written to commemorate remarkable events.
beauty <06643> [beauty.]
mighty <01368> [how are.]
report <05046> [Tell.]
Philistines <06430> [Philistines.]
uncircumcised <06189> [uncircumcised.]
mountains <02022> [mountains.]
dew <02919> [no dew.]
grain offerings <08641> [offerings.]
neglected <04899> [not.]
Instead of {belee,} "not," we should probably, with Dr. Delaney and others, read {keley,} "weapons," as it is found on one MS. and in the first edition of the Hebrew Bible, printed at Soncini, 1488: "the shield of Saul; the weapons of the anointed with oil."
neglected <04899> [anointed.]
bow <07198> [the bow.]
during <05273> [pleasant. or, sweet.]
separated .... swifter .... stronger <06504 07043 01396> [they were.]
swifter <07043> [swifter.]
stronger <01396> [stronger.]
warriors <01368> [How.]
[thou was.]
love ......... love <0160> [thy love.]
warriors <01368> [How are.]
weapons <03627> [weapons.]
inquired <07592> [enquired.]
Hebron <02275> [Hebron.]
<0582> [his men.]
cities <05892> [the cities.]
Judah .............. Judah <03063 0582> [the men of Judah.]
anointed <04886> [anointed.]
Jabesh <03003 0582> [the men of Jabesh-gilead.]
David <01732> [David.]
This was a generous and noble act, highly indicative of the grandeur of David's mind. He respected Saul, though he had been greatly injured by him, as the anointed king of Israel, and once his legitimate sovereign; and he loved Jonathan as his most intimate friend.
blessed <01288> [Blessed.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
may ................ done <06213> [I also.]
valiant <03027> [let your.]
valiant <01121> [valiant. Heb. the sons of valour.]
Abner <074> [Abner.]
[Saul's host. Heb. the host which was Saul's. Ish-bosheth.]
[Esh-baal. Mahanaim.]
Gilead <01568> [Gilead.]
Geshurites <0805> [Ashurites.]
The LXX. read [ ,] {Thasiri;} and the Vulgate {Gessuri,} "Geshurites;" but it is probable that for {ashuri,} "Ashurites," we should read {ashairi,} "Asherites," or those of the tribe of Asher.
Jezreel <03157> [over Jezreel.]
years ............ two years <08141 08147> [two years.]
Houbigant proposes to read {shesh shanah,} "six years" instead of {shetayim shanim,} "two years," of the text, which he contends is a solecism; for, in pure Hebrew, the words should be {shetayim shanah;} and this is the reading of twenty MSS.; but two is acknowledged by all the versions and MSS. yet collated.
<04557> [time. Heb. number of days.]
Mahanaim <04266> [A.M. 2951. B.C. 1053. An. Ex. Is. 438. Mahanaim.]
Gibeon <01391> [Gibeon.]
Joab <03097> [Joab.]
group <03162> [together. Heb. them together. pool.]
fight before <06440 07832> [play before.]
<07218> [by the head.]
Probably by the beard or hair of the head. Plutarch, in his Apophthegms, informs us, that all things being ready for a battle, Alexander's captains asked him whether he had any thing else to command them. "Nothing," said he, "but that the Macedonians shave their beards." Parmenio wondering what he meant, "Dost thou not know," said he, "that in fight, there is no better hold than the beard?"
Field of Flints <02521> [Helkath-hazzurim. that is, the field of strong men.]
Abner <074> [Abner.]
three <07969> [three.]
quick <07031> [was as light.]
feet <07272> [foot. Heb. his feet. a wild roe. Heb. one of the roes that is in the field.]
[The word {tzevee,} rather denotes the gazelle or antelope.]
(See note on De 15:22.)
turning <05186> [turned.]
Abner ............. followed Abner <074 0310> [following Abner. Heb. after Abner.]
take ... equipment <03947 02488> [and take thee.]
It seems that Asahel wished to get the armour of Abner as a trophy.
equipment <02488> [armour. or, spoil.]
strike <05221> [wherefore.]
show <05375> [how then.]
abdomen ........ spear ... spear <02570 02595> [the fifth rib.]
respect <05975> [stood still.]
sword .................. tell <02719 0559> [Shall.]
sword <02719> [sword.]
bitter <04751> [it will be.]
tell <0559> [how long.]
God <0430> [As God.]
This was spoken in allusion to the proposal of Abner, (ver. 14,) which led to the slaughter of twelve young men of each party, and thus provoked the battle. It is probable, that Joab had orders simply to act on the defensive, and would not have attacked the Israelites that day unless compelled; therefore the blame lay upon Abner and Israel.
not <03884> [unless.]
morning <01242> [in the morning. Heb. from the morning. gone up. or, gone away.]
Bitron <01338> [Bithron.]
Bithron or Bether is probably the same as {Betarus,} which is placed in the Antonine Itinerary between Caesarea of Palestine and Diospolis or Lydda, 18 miles from the former, and 22 from the latter. The Jerusalem Itinerary mentions a place called Bethar, 16 miles from Caesarea, and 20 from Diospolis, which is probably the same. The Talmudists say that it was four miles distant from the sea.
[Bether. Mahanaim.]
360 <03967 07969> [three hundred.]
The slain of Israel, though greatly exceeding those of Judah, were not great. This might be owing to the directions given by David, to be as lenient as possible; but the death of Asahel seems to have stopped the pursuers, and greatly favoured the escape of the vanquished.
buried <06912> [buried.]
<03212> [went.]
war ... prolonged <04421 0752> [long war.]
house ...... house ........... house <01004> [between.]
David David ... becoming steadily ......... becoming increasingly <01980 01732> [David waxed.]
sons ... born <03205 01121> [sons born.]
Amnon <0550> [Amnon.]
Ahinoam <0293> [Ahinoam.]
Kileab <03609> [Chileab.]
[Daniel. Abigail.]
Absalom <053> [Absalom.]
Talmai <08526> [Talmai.]
Geshur <01650> [Geshur.]
Adonijah <0138> [Adonijah.]
Abner <074> [Abner.]
Rizpah <07532> [Rizpah.]
have sexual relations <0935> [Wherefore.]
This action of Abner's seems a most evident proof that he intended to seize on the government; and it was so understood by Ish-bosheth; see Parallel Texts.
have sexual relations <0935> [gone in.]
Abner <074> [Abner.]
head .... dog <03611 07218> [Am I a dog's head.]
This was a proverbial expression among the Hebrews to denote whatever was deemed worthless and contemptible. Something similar to this was the answer of the Turkish commander at Beer, on the Euphrates, to a request made to see the castle. "Do they," said he, "take me for a child, or an ass's head, that they would feed me with sweet meats, and dupe me with a bit of cloth? No, they shall not see the castle."
demonstrating <06213> [do shew.]
God .......... do <06213 0430> [So do God.]
Lord <03068> [as the Lord.]
Dan <01835> [from Dan.]
afraid <03372> [because.]
land <0776> [Whose.]
<03772> [Make.]
can <03027> [my hand.]
said <0559> [that is. Heb. saying. Thou shalt.]
face ............ visit <06440> [except.]
As Michal was not divorced, but violently separated from David, he had a legal right to demand her, and was justified in receiving her again. It is probable, also, that her marriage with Phaltiel was a force upon her inclinations; and whatever affections he might have for her, it was highly criminal for him to take another man's wife. David required Michal probably both out of affection for her, and to strengthen his interest, by asserting his affinity with the house of Saul.
Michal <04324> [Michal.]
Ish-bosheth <0378> [Ish-bosheth.]
[and hundred.]
Paltiel <06409> [Phaltiel.]
[Phalti.]
went ................ Go <01980> [along weeping. Heb. going and weeping.]
Bahurim <0980> [Bahurim.]
wanting <08543 08032> [in times past. Heb. both yesterday and the third day.]
Lord <03068> [for the Lord.]
hand ............ from ..... from <03027> [By the hand.]
Benjaminites .................... Benjamin <01144> [Benjamin.]
David .... David <01732> [David.]
gather <06908> [will gather.]
rule <04427 05315> [reign over.]
done <06213> [What hast.]
Joab and his brother Abishai, David's nephews, had been very faithful and highly useful to him in his distresses; and, from gratitude and natural affection, he had inadvertently permitted them to assume almost as much ascendancy over him as Abner had over the pusillanimous Ishbosheth: he trusted and feared them too much, and allowed them all the importance they claimed; which had emboldened them, especially Joab, to a high degree of presumption.
came <0935> [that he came.]
know ................. determine ........... discover <03045> [and to know.]
sent <07971> [he sent.]
aside <05186> [took him.]
privately <07987> [quietly. or, peaceably.]
stabbed <05221> [and smote.]
Joab was afraid that Abner, after rendering such essential service to David, would be made the general of the army; and therefore, under pretence of avenging the death of his brother, he treacherously assassinated the unsuspecting and too-confiding Abner: and such was the power of this cool-blooded and nefarious murderer, that the king dared not bring him to justice for his crime. But, while Joab's conduct cannot be too severely reprobated, the justice of God is apparent in Abner's punishment; who, from ambition, had pertinaciously, against his conscience, opposed the declared will of God; and was induced by base resentment to desert Ish-bosheth, and offer his services to David: see ver. 6-10; 4:6.
blood <01818> [for the blood.]
innocent <05355> [guiltless.]
blood <01818> [blood. Heb. bloods.]
blood whirl <02342> [rest.]
cease <03772> [let there.]
cease <03772> [fail. Heb. be cut off. an issue.]
killed Abner <02026 074> [slew Abner.]
killed <04191> [because.]
David ....................... David <01732> [And David.]
David, intending no doubt to punish Joab, and to lessen his authority with the people, commanded him to take upon him the office of chief mourner; but, as his revenge was gratified, his rival removed, and no heavier punishment inflicted, it is probable his hardened mind would feel but little objection to the ceremony.
Tear <07167> [Rend.]
bier <04296> [bier. Heb. bed.]
loudly <05375> [lifted.]
fool <05036 04194> [as a fool dieth.]
That is, as a bad man, as the word frequently signifies in Scripture.
hands <03027> [hands.]
The hand of malefactors were usually secured with cords, and their feet with fetters; a custom to which David affectingly alludes in his lamentation over the dust of Abner. Thy hands, O Abner, were not bound, as found to be a malefactor, nor thy feet put in fetters; thou was treated with honour by him whose business it was to judge thee, and thy attachment to the house of Saul was esteemed rather generous than culpable: as the best of men may fall, so thou fellest by the sword of treachery, not of justice.
criminals <05766 01121> [wicked men. Heb. children of iniquity.]
wept <01058> [wept.]
encouraged <01262> [cause.]
punish <06213> [So do.]
before ... sun <06440 08121> [till the.]
[pleased them. Heb. was good in their eyes. as.]
leader <08269> [a prince.]
Today <03117> [I am.]
weak <07390> [weak. Heb. tender.]
sons <01121> [the sons.]
too much .... to bear <07186> [too hard.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
<03027> [his hands.]
Israel <03478> [and all.]
units <08269> [captains.]
other <08145> [other. Heb. second. Beeroth.]
Jonathan ...................... Jonathan <03083> [Jonathan.]
news <08052> [when the tidings.]
Mephibosheth <04648> [Mephibosheth.]
[Meribbaal.]
<03212> [went.]
rest <04904 07901> [lay on a bed.]
It is customary, in all hot countries, to travel or work very early and very late, and to rest at noon, at which time the heat most prevails.
getting <03947> [as though.]
It is still the custom of the East, according to Dr. Perry, to allow the soldiers a certain quantity of corn, with other articles of provision, together with some pay: and as it was the custom also to grind the corn, as needed, at the break of day, these two captains very naturally went the day before to the palace, where the king's stores appear to have been kept, to fetch wheat, in order to distribute it to the soldiers under them, to be ground at the accustomed hour in the morning. The princes of the East, in those days, as appears from the history of David, reposed on their couches till the cool of the evening: they therefore came in the heat of the day, when they knew their master would be resting on his bed; and as it was a necessary to have the corn before it was needed, their coming at this time, though it might be earlier than usual, excited no suspicion.
stomach <02570> [under.]
head Taking ... head <07218 03947> [took his head.]
When those difficulties dispirit us which should rather invigorate us and sharpen our endeavours, we betray a carelessness of character which is soon taken advantage of by our more watchful neighbours. Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty and ruin. The idle soul is an easy prey to the destroyer.
sought <01245> [sought.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
delivered <06299> [who hath.]
told <05046> [one.]
<05869> [thinking, etc. Heb. he was in his own eyes, as a bringer, etc. who thought, etc. or, which was the reward I gave him for his tidings.]
wicked <07563> [when wicked.]
require <01245> [require.]
earth <0776> [from.]
them ... death .... cut <02026 07112> [slew them.]
hung <08518> [hanged.]
tomb <06913> [in the sepulchre.]
came <0935> [came.]
blood <06106> [we.]
leader <03318> [leddest out.]
shepherd <07462> [feed.]
rule <05057> [a captain.]
leaders <02205> [So all.]
made <03772> [made.]
before <06440> [before.]
designated <04886> [anointed.]
thirty <07970> [thirty.]
forty <0705> [forty.]
seven years ............ years <07651 08141> [seven years.]
Jerusalem <03389> [Jerusalem.]
Jebusites <02983> [the Jebusites.]
said ................... saying <0559> [which spake, etc.]
Dr. Kennicott's amended translation is as follows: "Who spake unto David, saying, Thou shalt not come in hither; for the blind and the lame shall drive thee away, by saying, David shall not come in hither." ver. 8. "And David said, Whosoever smiteth the Jebusites, and through the subterraneous passage reacheth the lame and the blind, who hate the life of David, (because the blind and the lame said, he shall not come into the house,) shall be chief and captain. So Joab, the son of Zeriah, went up first, and was chief."
turn ... back <05493> [Except.]
said ... David ................. saying David <01732 0559> [thinking, David cannot. or, saying, David shall not, etc.]
Zion <06726> [Zion.]
city <05892> [the same.]
approach <05060> [Whosoever.]
said ............................... said <0559> [he shall be.]
said ............................... said <0559> [Wherefore, etc. or, Because they had said, even the blind and the lame, he shall not come into the house.]
City <05892> [city.]
terrace <04407> [Millo.]
steadily <03212 01980 01419> [went on, and grew great. Heb. went going and growing.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
Hiram <02438> [Hiram.]
stonemasons <07023> [masons. Heb. hewers of the stone of the wall. they built.]
David <01732> [David.]
people <05971> [his people.]
names <08034> [the names.]
[Shammuah. or, Shimea.]
Nathan <05416> [Nathan.]
Solomon <08010> [Solomon.]
Elishua <0474> [Elishua. or, Elishama.]
Eliada <0450> [Eliada. or, Beeliada.]
Eliphelet <0467> [Eliphalet. Eliphelet.]
Philistines <06430> [But when.]
fortress <04686> [the hold.]
valley <06010> [the valley.]
asked <07592> [enquired.]
Lord ................. Lord <03068> [And the Lord.]
Baal Perazim ............................. Baal Perazim <01188> [Baal-perazim. that is, The plain of breaches.]
David <01732> [David.]
picked <05375> [burned them. or, took them away.]
up <05927> [came up.]
asked <07592> [enquired.]
circle <05437> [fetch.]
trees <01057> [the mulberry trees.]
The word {becha‹m,} rendered mulberry trees, is rendered by Aquila, [apion,] pear-trees, as the LXX. also render in 1 Ch 14:14, 15; and so the Vulgate in both places has {pyrorum.} The Rabbins, however, believe {bacha} signifies the mulberry-tree; with whom Ursinus agrees. It more probably denotes a large shrub which the Arabs still call {baca,} from its distilling an odoriferous gum, from {bachah} to distil, as tears. Of this opinion is Celsius, who quotes a passage from Abulfadi, who describes it as a balsam shrub, having longish leaves, and bearing a large fruit with an acrid taste. M. Forskal mentions a tree by the name of {b‘ca,} with leaves rather ovated, smooth, entire: its berries are poisonous to the sheep.
sound <06963> [sound.]
decisively <02782> [thou shalt bestir.]
Gibeon <01387> [Geba.]
[Gibeon. Gazer.]
Baalah in Judah <01184> [Baale.]
[Baalah, i.e., Kirjath-jearim.]
name <08034> [whose name, etc. or, at which the name, even the name of the]
Lord of hosts, was called upon.
sits enthroned <03427> [dwelleth.]
loaded <07392> [set, etc. Heb. made the ark of God to ride.]
<01390> [Gibeah. or, the hill.]
with <05973> [accompanying. Heb. with.]
David <01732> [David.]
<01265> [on all manner.]
This place should doubtless be corrected from the parallel place, 1 Ch 13:8; where, instead of {bechol ƒtzey beroshim,} which is literally, "with all trees or wood of fir," we read {bechol “z oovesheerim,} "with all their might, and with songs." This makes a good sense, while the former makes none: the LXX. have the same reading here, [en ischui, kai en odais.]
Nacon <05225> [Nachon's.]
[he is called Chidon. put forth.]
Even the Kohathites, who were appointed to carry the ark, after it was covered by the priests, were forbidden to touch it on pain of death; but Uzzah, who certainly was no priest, probably with some degree of irreverence, having presumed to lay his hand upon the ark, which perhaps was not covered, thus incurred the penalty due to his rashness.
[shook it. or, stumbled.]
he killed ................. God <05221 0430> [God smote.]
negligence <07944> [error. or, rashness.]
angry <02734> [displeased.]
attacked <06555> [made. Heb. broken. Perez-uzzah. that is, The breach of]
Uzzah.
afraid <03372> [afraid.]
ark <0727> [How shall.]
Obed-Edom <05654> [Obed-edom.]
Gittite <01663> [Gittite.]
Lord .............. Lord blessed <01288 03068> [the Lord blessed.]
ark ........... ark <0727> [because.]
David ....................... David ................... David <01732> [So David.]
carried <05375> [when they.]
ox <07794> [oxen.]
dancing <03769> [danced.]
[with all this.]
wearing <02296> [girded.]
David <01732> [David.]
shouting <08643> [with shouting.]
trumpets <06963> [the sound.]
ark <0727> [And as.]
Michal <04324> [Michal.]
despised <0959> [despised.]
brought <0935> [they brought.]
pitched <05186> [pitched. Heb. stretched. offered.]
David <01732> [as soon.]
blessing <01288> [he blessed.]
handed out <02505> [he dealt.]
member .......................... people <05971> [So all the.]
blessing <01288> [bless.]
Michal <04324> [Michal.]
distinguished <03513> [glorious.]
exposed <01540> [uncovered.]
We are only to understand by this expression that David had divested himself of his royal robes, in order to appear humble before the Lord, by assimilating himself to the condition of one of the priests or Levites: for we find that he was "girded with a linen ephod;" and consequently no part of his body was exposed, having only put off his outer garments. The terms uncovered or naked frequently mean no more than this in Scripture.
vulgar <07386> [vain fellows.]
exposed <01540> [shamelessly. or, openly.]
before ....... before ......... father ..... family <06440 01 01004> [before.]
chose <0977> [chose.]
celebrating <07832> [play.]
humiliate <07043> [more vile.]
<05869> [in mine.]
slave girls <0519> [maid-servants. or, handmaids. I be had.]
Michal <04324> [Michal.]
day <03117> [unto the day.]
king <04428> [the king.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
Nathan <05416> [Nathan.]
living in ............ sits <03427> [I dwell.]
ark <0727> [the ark.]
tent <03407> [curtains.]
mind <03824> [all that.]
Lord <03068> [for the.]
night <03915> [that night.]
servant David <05650 01732> [my servant David. Heb. to my servant, to David. Shalt.]
lived <03427> [I have not.]
traveling <01980> [walked.]
tent <0168> [tent.]
moved among <01980> [walked.]
any .... leaders <07626 0259> [any of the tribes.]
[any of the judges.]
Instead of [shbty,] {shivtey,} "tribes," we should probably read, with Houbigant, Drs. Waterland and A. Clarke, and others, [shpty,] {shophtey,} "judges;" which is the reading in the parallel passage. Indeed there is but one letter of difference between them, and letters which might be easily mistaken for each other; the apex under the upper stroke of the [p,] {pay,} being the only mark to distinguish it from the [b,] {baith.} Compare with ver. 11.
care for <07462> [feed.]
took ..... pasture <03947 05116> [I took thee.]
<0310> [following. Heb. after. ruler.]
went <01980> [And I was.]
defeated <03772> [cut off.]
before <06440> [out of thy sight. Heb. from thy face. a great.]
famous <08034> [like unto.]
establish ......... settle <05193 07931> [plant them.]
men <01121> [neither.]
beginning <07223> [as beforetime.]
time <03117> [since.]
relief <05117> [have caused.]
<06213> [he will make.]
time <03117> [And when.]
die <07901> [sleep.]
raise up <06965> [I will set.]
build <01129> [He shall.]
<03559> [I will stablish.]
father <01> [I will be.]
sins <05753> [If he.]
father ............. correct <01 03198> [I will.]
loyal love <02617> [But my.]
removed ...... removed ....... removed <05493> [as I took.]
sat <03427> [sat.]
Lord <0136> [Who am I.]
<06994> [And this.]
spoken <01696> [but thou.]
usual way <08452> [And is this.]
usual way <08452> [manner. Heb. law.]
recognition <03045> [knowest.]
promise <01697> [thy word's.]
purpose <03820> [according.]
great <01431> [Wherefore.]
God <0430> [none.]
unique ... on <0259> [what one.]
went <01980> [went.]
make ... name <07760 08034> [make him.]
great <01420> [great things.]
people ............... nation ...................... people <05971> [thy people.]
nation ...... God .................................... empire .... gods <0430 01471> [nations and their gods.]
made <03559> [confirmed.]
became <01961> [art become.]
reality <06965 05704> [establish it.]
fame <08034> [let thy.]
before <06440> [before thee.]
dynastic <01540> [revealed. Heb. opened the ear.]
build <01129> [I will.]
dynastic <04672> [found.]
words <01697> [thy words.]
willing ... bless ............................ blessed <01288 02974> [let it please thee to bless. Heb. be thou pleased and bless.]
permanently <05769> [for ever.]
Later <0310> [A.M. 2964. B.C. 1040. An. Ex. Is. 451. And after.]
Metheg <04965> [Metheg-ammah. or, the bridle of Ammah.]
[Gath.]
In the parallel passage of Chronicles, we read, "David took Gath and her towns;" and it is probable, that Gath and its districts were called Metheg-ammah in David's time; which, being unusual or becoming obsolete, in the time of the author of the Chronicles, led him thus to explain it.
defeated <05221> [he smote.]
measure ... off ... put <04058> [measured.]
Moabites ............................... Moabites <04124> [And so.]
brought tribute <04503 05375> [brought gifts.]
Hadadezer <01909> [Hadadezer.]
[Hadarezer. Zobah.]
Euphrates <05104> [at the river.]
1,700 .... 20,000 <0505> [from him. or, of his. chariots.]
As 1 Ch 18:4 seven hundred. In the parallel place in Chronicles it is "seven thousand horsemen, a far more probable number. The letter [Zayin,] {zayin,} with a dot upon it stands for seven thousand, and the final letter N–wn,] {noon,} for seven hundred: the great similarity of these letters might easily cause the one to be mistaken for the other, and so produce an error in this place.
David .......... David cut the hamstrings <06131 01732> [David houghed.]
but <03498> [reserved.]
Arameans ................. Arameans <0758> [And when.]
<0935> [came.]
Zobah <06678> [Zobah.]
From 2 Ch 8:3, we learn that Zobah was the district in which Tadmor or Palymyra was situated; and consequently lay between the land of Israel and the Euphrates. The capital was probably the same as the Sabe mentioned by Ptolemy as a city of Arabia Deserta.
garrisons <05333> [garrisons.]
subjects <05650> [became.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
shields <07982> [shields.]
Tebah <0984> [Betah.]
Probably the same as Bathne in Syria, between Bero‘ea and Hierapolis.
[Tibhath, Chun. Berothai.]
Berothai is probably the Barathena of Ptolemy, which he mentions, along with Sabe, as a city of Arabia Deserta, in the confines of the Palmyrenian district.
<03966> [exceeding.]
Toi <08583> [Toi.]
[Tou. Hamath.]
Joram ............................... brought <03141 03027> [Joram.]
[Hadoram. salute him. Heb. ask him of peace.]
blessing ...... victory <01288 03898> [to bless him.]
<0376> [had wars. Heb. was a man of wars. brought with him. Heb. in his hand were.]
King ........................... subdued <04428 03533> [Which.]
Aram <0758> [Syria.]
famous <06213 08034> [gat him.]
defeating <05221> [smiting. Heb. his smiting. the valley of salt.]
18,000 <08083> [being. or, slaying.]
Edom ..... Edomites <0123> [all they.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
Israel <03478> [over all Israel.]
David ...... he guaranteed <06213 01732> [David executed.]
Joab <03097> [Joab.]
Jehoshaphat <03092> [Jehoshaphat.]
secretary <02142> [recorder. or, remembrancer, or writer of chronicles.]
Zadok <06659> [Zadok.]
Seraiah <08304> [and Seraiah.]
[Shavsha. scribe. or, secretary.]
Benaiah <01141> [Benaiah.]
Kerithites <03774> [the Cherethites.]
priests <03548> [chief rulers. or, princes.]
extend kindness <06213 02617> [shew him.]
servant ........................ service <05650> [a servant.]
Ziba .............. Ziba <06717> [was Ziba.]
God's kindness <02617 0430> [the kindness of God.]
That is, the highest degree of kindness; as the hail of God is very great hail; the mountains of God exceeding high mountains; besides which, this kindness was according to the covenant of God made between him and Jonathan.
sons <01121> [yet a son.]
Makir <04353> [Machir.]
Lo Debar <03810> [Lo-debar.]
This place appears to have been situated beyond Jordan; and was probably, as Reland supposes, the same as Debir or Lidbir, Jos 13:26.
Mephibosheth ....................... Mephibosheth <04648> [Mephibosheth.]
[called Meribbaal. he fell.]
be afraid ..... certainly extend <03372 06213> [Fear not.]
certainly extend <06213> [for I will. See on ver.]
guest <03899 0398> [eat bread.]
dead dog <03611 04191> [a dead dog.]
give <05414> [I have given.]
food ....... eat <0398 03899> [shall eat bread.]
The eating at courts was of two kinds; the one public and ceremonious, the other private. Sir John Chardin understands those passages which speak of a right to eat at the royal table, as pointing out a right to a seat there, when the repast was public and solemn. So in a MS. Note on 1 Ki 2:7, he tells us that it was to be understood of the {majilis,} (the term for an assembly of lords, or a public feast,) and not of the daily and ordinary repast. Hence, though Mephibosheth was to eat at all public times at the king's table, yet he would want the produce of his lands for food at other times, which it was necessary for Ziba to understand.
Ziba <06717> [Ziba.]
lord <0113> [According.]
son <01121> [son.]
[Micah. servants.]
guest <0398> [he did eat.]
crippled <06455> [was lame.]
[AM 2967. B.C. 1037. An. Ex. Is. 454. king.]
express ... loyalty ............ loyal <02617 06213> [shew kindness.]
Nahash <05176> [Nahash.]
father .................. father's <01> [as his father.]
think David ................. David <05869 01732> [Thinkest thou that David doth. Heb. In thine eyes doth]
David. not.
shaved off <01548> [and shaved.]
The beard is held in high respect and greatly valued in the East: the possessor considers it as his greatest ornament; often swears by it; and, in matters of great importance, pledges it; and nothing can be more secure than such a pledge; for its owner will redeem it at the hazard of his life. The beard was never cut off but in mourning, or as a sign of slavery. It is customary to shave the Ottoman princes, as a mark of their subjection to the reigning emperor. The beard is a mark of authority and liberty among the Mohammedans. The Persians who clip the beard, and shave above the jaw, are reputed heretics. They who serve in the {seraglios} have their beards shaven, as a sign of servitude; nor do they suffer them to grow till the sultan has set them at liberty. Among the Arabians, it is more infamous for anyone to appear with his beard cut off, than among us to be publicly whipped or branded; and many would prefer death to such a punishment.
cut the <03772> [cut off.]
Jericho <03405> [Jericho.]
disgusted <0887> [stank.]
Aram Beth Rehob ... Aram <01050 0758> [Syrians of Beth-rehob.]
[Zobah.]
Maacah <04601> [Maacah.]
<0382> [Ish-tob. or, the men of Tob.]
army <06635> [all the host.]
entrance <06607> [at the entering.]
This was at the city of Medeba, a city upon the borders of the Ammonites, and in their possession.
Rehob <07340> [Rehob.]
strong .... bravely <02388> [Be of good.]
This is a very animating address, and equal to any thing of the kind in ancient or modern times. Ye fight {pro aris et focis;} for every good, sacred and civil; for God, for your families, and for your countries. Such harangues, especially in very trying circumstances, are very natural, and may perhaps be found in the records of every nation. Several instances might be quoted from Roman and Grecian history; but few are more remarkable than that of Tyrtaeus, the lame Athenian poet, to whom the command of the army was given in one of the Messenian wars. The Spartans had at that time suffered great losses, and all their stratagems proved ineffectual, so that they began to despair of success; when the poet, by his lectures on honour and courage, delivered in moving verse to the army, ravished them to such a degree with the thoughts of dying for their country, that, rushing on with a furious transport to meet their enemies, they gave them an entire overthrow, and by one decisive battle brought the war to a happy conclusion.
strong .... bravely <02388> [play.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
fled <05127> [they fled.]
consolidated <0622> [A.M. 2968. B.C. 1036. An. Ex. Is. 455. gathered.]
<01928> [Hadarezer.]
Euphrates River <05104> [the river. i.e., Euphrates. Shobach. or, Shophach.]
gathered <0622> [he gathered.]
fled <05127> [fled.]
foot soldiers <06571> [horsemen.]
[footmen. Shobach.]
subject <05650> [servants.]
subjects <03372> [feared.]
[A.M. 2969. B.C. 1035. An. Ex. Is. 456. after the year, etc. Heb. at the return of the year.]
time <06256> [at the time.]
The sacred historian seems to intimate that there was one particular time of the year to which military operations were limited; and Josephus informs us that this took place in the beginning of spring. In another part of his works he says, that as soon as spring was begun, Adad levied and led forth his army against the Hebrews. Antiochus also prepared to invade Judea at the first appearance of spring; and Vespasian marched to Antipatris at the commencement of the same season. The kings and armies of the East, says Chardin, do not march but when there is grass, and when they can encamp, which is in April. This rule, however, seems to be disregarded in modern times.
David sent out ................... David <07971 01732> [David sent.]
Rabbah <07237> [Rabbah.]
got ..... bed <06965 04904> [arose from.]
roof ....... roof <01406 04428> [the roof of.]
saw <07200> [he saw.]
very <02896 03966> [very beautiful.]
sent <07971> [sent.]
Bathsheba <01339> [Bath-sheba. or, Bath-shua. Eliam. or, Ammiel.]
Uriah <0223> [Uriah.]
sent ... messengers <07971 04397> [sent messengers.]
sexual <07901> [he lay.]
purifying <06942> [she was, etc. or, and when she had purified herself, etc., she returned.]
purifying <06942> [purified.]
pregnant <02030> [I am with child.]
sent ........ Send ... Uriah ...... sent Uriah <07971 0223> [Send me.]
Joab ...... doing ....... going <07965 03097> [how Joab did. Heb. of the peace of Joab.]
Go down <03381> [go down.]
relax <07364> [wash.]
gift <0310 04864> [there followed him. Heb. there went out after him.]
gift <04864> [a mess.]
ark <0727> [The ark.]
lord ..... lord's <0113> [my lord.]
I go <0589 0935> [shall I then.]
surely ..... alive <02416> [as thou livest.]
drunk <07937> [made him.]
servants <05650> [with the servants.]
wrote ... letter <03789 05612> [wrote a letter.]
It was resolved in David's breast that Uriah must die--that innocent, valiant, and gallant man, who was ready to sacrifice his life for the honour of his prince; and, worse than all, by being himself made the bearer of letters to Joab which prescribed the mode by which he was to be murdered. This was the greatest treachery and villany on the part of David; while Joab appears to enter as fully upon the execution of the murder, being perhaps pleased to have this opportunity of further enthralling his king, and thus increasing his own power.
Station Uriah <03051 0223> [Set ye.]
withdraw <02389> [hottest. Heb. strong. from him. Heb. from after him. and die.]
stationed <05414> [he assigned.]
fell <05307> [there fell.]
Abimelech <040> [Abimelech.]
Jerub-Besheth <03380> [Jerubbesheth.]
[Jerubbaal. Thy servant.]
sword <03415 02719> [displease thee. Heb. be evil in thine eyes. for the sword.]
<02090> [one. Heb. so and such.]
What abominable hypocrisy was here! He well knew that the death of this noble and gallant man was no chance-medley: he was by his own order thrust on the sword.
battle <04421> [make.]
mourned <05594> [she mourned.]
mourning <060> [And when, etc.]
The whole of her conduct indicates that she observed the form, without feeling the power of sorrow. She lost a captain, and got a king for her husband: and therefore, {Lacrymas non sponte cadentes effudit; gemitusque expressit pectore laeto;} "She shed reluctant tears; and forced out groans from a joyful breast!"
brought .... palace <0622 01004> [fetched her.]
what <01697> [But the thing.]
<03415> [displeased. Heb. was evil in the eyes of.]
Lord <03068> [A.M. 2970. B.C. 1034. An. Ex. Is. 457. the Lord.]
David <01732> [unto David.]
came <0935> [he came.]
two <08147> [There were.]
There is nothing in this parable which requires illustration. Its bent is evident; and it was wisely constructed, by not having too near a resemblance, to make David unwittingly pass sentence on himself. The parable was in David's hand what his own letter was in the hands of the brave Uriah. Nathan at length closed in with him in the application of it. In beginning with a parable he shewed his prudence, and great need there is of prudence in giving reproof; but now he speaks as an ambassador from God. He reminds David of the great things God had designed and done for him, and then charges him with a high contempt of the Divine authority, and threatens an entail of judgments upon his family for this sin. Those who despise the word and law of God, despise God himself, and will assuredly suffer for such contempt.
great <03966> [exceeding.]
little <06996 0259> [one little.]
food <06595> [meat. Heb. morsel. lay in his.]
traveler <01982> [a traveller.]
use ..................... took ... poor <03947 07326> [took the.]
David <01732> [David's.]
Lord <03068> [As the Lord.]
die <04194 01121> [shall surely die. or, is worthy to die. Heb. is a son of death.]
pay <07999> [restore.]
Because <06118 0834> [because.]
man <0376> [Thou art.]
chose <04886> [I anointed.]
rescued <05337> [I delivered.]
master's ...... master's wives <0802 0113> [thy master's wives.]
gave .... master's house ..... master's ........ gave .... house <05414 0113 01004> [gave thee.]
more <03254> [I would.]
contempt <0959> [despised.]
doing evil <06213 07451> [to do evil.]
struck <05221> [thou hast.]
sword <02719> [the sword.]
For <06118> [because.]
taking <03947> [hast taken.]
bring <06965> [I will raise.]
take <03947> [I will take.]
That is, in the course of my providence I will permit this to be done. Such phrases in Scripture do not mean that God either does or can do evil himself; but only that he permits such evil to be done as he foresaw would be done, and which, had he pleased, he might have prevented.
secret <05643> [secretly.]
David .............. David <01732> [David.]
sinned <02398> [I have sinned.]
Lord ......... Lord <03068> [The Lord.]
die <04191> [thou.]
matter <01697> [by this deed.]
son <01121> [the child.]
struck ... child <05062 03206> [struck the child.]
prayed <01245> [besought.]
fasted <06684> [fasted. Heb. fasted a fast.]
spend .... lying <03885 07901> [lay all night.]
elders <02205> [the elders.]
seventh day <03117 07637> [seventh day. vex. Heb. do hurt to.]
got <06965> [arose.]
put on oil <05480> [anointed.]
house ............ palace <01004> [the house.]
<01697> [What thing.]
fasted <06684> [I fasted.]
go <01980> [I shall go.]
back .......... return <07725> [he shall not.]
birth <03205> [A.M. 2971. B.C. 1033. An. Ex. Is. 458. she bare.]
Nathan <05416> [Nathan.]
Jedidiah <03041> [Jedidiah. that is, Beloved of the Lord.]
Joab <03097> [Joab.]
Rabbah <07237> [Rabbah.]
Rabbah, or Rabbath-Ammon, also called Philadelphia, from Ptolemy Philadelphus, king of Egypt, was situated east of Jordan, and, according to Eusebius, ten miles east from Jazer. It is sometimes mentioned as belonging to Arabia, sometimes to Coelo-Syria; and was one of the cities of the Decapolis east of Jordan. Josephus extends the region of Perea as far as Philadelphia. It is now, says Burckhardt, called Amman, distant about 19 miles to the S. E. by E. of Szalt, and lies along the banks of a river called Moiet Amman, which has its source in a pond, at a few hundred paces from the south-western end of the town, and empties itself in the Zerka, or Jabbok, about four hours to the northward. This river runs in a valley bordered on both sides by barren hills of flint, which advance on the south side close to the edge of the stream. The edifices which still remain, though in a decaying state, from being built of a calcareous stone of moderate hardness, sufficiently attest the former greatness and splendour of this metropolis of the children of Ammon.
Rabbah <07237> [Rabbah.]
water ..... city <05892 04325> [the city of waters.]
Probably that part of the city situated near the pond, from which the rest received their water.
named <08034 07121> [it be called after my name. Heb. my name be called upon it.]
took <03947> [took.]
weighed <04948> [the weight.]
If this talent was only seven pounds, as Whiston says, David might have carried it on his head with little difficulty; but this weight, according to common computation, would amount to nearly 114 pounds! Some, therefore, think, that {mishkelah} should be taken for its value, not weight; which renders it perfectly plain, as the worth of the crown will be about 5,074œ. 15s. 7d. sterling. The ancients mention several such large crowns, made more for sight than use. Athen‘us describes a crown of gold that was 24 feet in circumference; and mentions others that were two, some four, and others five feet deep. Pliny takes notice of some that were no less than eight pounds weight. Besides the crown usually worn, it was customary for kings, in some nations, to have such large ones as described, either hung or supported over the throne, where they sat at their coronation or other solemn occasions.
great deal <03966 07235> [in great abundance. Heb. very great.]
made ....... saws <07760 04050> [and put them.]
Rather, as the particle [b] frequently signifies, "And he put them to saws, and to harrows, and to axes," etc., as we say, to put a person to the plough, to the anvil, to the last, etc.
[Also.]
Absalom <053> [A.M. 2972. B.C. 1032. A. Ex. Is. 459. Absalom.]
beautiful sister <0269 03303> [a fair sister.]
Tamar <08559> [Tamar.]
love <0157> [loved her.]
frustrated <03334> [vexed.]
Amnon .................... Amnon <0550> [Amnon, etc. Heb. it was marvellous, or hidden, in the eyes of Amnon.]
friend <07453> [a friend.]
Shimeah <08093> [Shimeah.]
Shimeah <08093> [Shimeah. subtil man.]
king's <04428> [Why art.]
depressed <01800> [lean. Heb. thin. from day to day. Heb. morning by morning.]
I love.
brother <0251> [my brother.]
Lie down <07901> [Lay thee.]
make ... couple <03823 08147> [make me.]
took <03947> [she took.]
Dr. Russell says, "The Eastern ladies often wash their own hands, prepare cakes, pastry, etc. in their apartments; and some few particular dishes are cooked by themselves, but not in their apartments: on such occasions, they go to some room near the kitchen."
dough <01217> [flour. or, paste. and made cakes.]
Rather, as Mr. Parkhurst renders, "and tossed it (wattelabbaiv) in his sight, and dressed the tossed cakes (halleveevoth)." This will receive illustration from the account which Mr. Jackson gives of the Arabian manner of kneading and baking. "They have a small place built with clay, between two and three feet high, having a hole at the bottom for the convenience of drawing out the ashes, something similar to that of a brick-kiln. The oven is usually about fifteen inches wide at top, and gradually grows wider to the bottom. It is heated with wood; and when sufficiently hot, and perfectly clear from smoke, having nothing but clear embers at bottom, which continue to reflect great heat, they prepare the dough in a large bowl, and mould the cakes to the desired size on a board or stone placed near the oven. After they have kneaded the cake to a proper consistency, they pat it a little, then toss it about with great dexterity in one hand till it is as thin as they choose to make it. They then wet one side of it with water, at the same time wetting the hand and arm with which they put it into the oven."
[And Ammon.]
Come on .... bed <07901 0935> [Come lie.]
humiliate ... This <06031 03651> [force me. Heb. humble me.]
This <03651> [no such thing ought. Heb. it ought not so.]
foolish thing <05039> [folly.]
speak <01696> [Now therefore.]
humiliated .... raping <06031 07901> [forced her.]
despised her <08130 03966 01419> [hated her.]
her <03966> [exceedingly. Heb. with great hatred greatly.]
robe <03801> [a garment.]
Then .... ashes <03947 0665> [put ashes.]
put ... hands <07760 03027> [laid her.]
Amnon <0550> [Amnon. Heb. Aminon. but hold.]
seriously <07896 01697> [regard not. Heb. set not thine heart on. desolate. Heb. and desolate.]
very angry <03966 02734> [he was very wroth.]
The Septuagint and Vulgate add, [Kai ouk elupese to pneuma Amnon tou huiou autou, hoti egapa auton, hoti prototokos autou en;] et noluit contristare spiritum Amnon filii sui, quoniam diligebat eum, quia primogenitus erat ei: "But he would not grieve the soul of Amnon his son, for he loved him because he was his first-born." The same addition is found in Josephus; and it is probable that it once formed a part of the Hebrew text.
said <01696> [spake.]
good <02896> [neither good.]
hated <08130> [hated.]
sheepshearers <01494> [A.M. 2974. B.C. 1030. An. Ex. Is 461. sheep-shearers.]
invited <07121> [invited.]
king ............ king <03212 04428> [let the king.]
pressed <06555> [pressed.]
blessed <01288> [blessed.]
brother <0251> [let my brother.]
He urged this with the more plausibility because Amnon was the first-born, and presumptive heir to the crown; and he had dissembled his resentment so long and so well that he was not suspected.
Absalom <053> [Absalom.]
instructed ................................. instructions <06680> [commanded.]
<03820 02896> [heart is merry.]
instructed ....................... fear ........... instructions <03372 06680> [fear not.]
instructed ................................. instructions <06680> [have not I. or, Will you not, since I have, etc.]
<01121> [valiant. Heb. sons of valour.]
servants <05288> [servants.]
rode <07392> [gat him up. Heb. rode. mule.]
Then <06965> [arose.]
servants <05650> [all his servants.]
Jonadab <03122> [Jonadab.]
Shimeah <08093> [Shimeah.]
[Shammah. David's brother.]
This was a very bad man: he had given his cousin Amnon the most detestable advice; and here speaks coolly of a most bloody tragedy of which he had been the cause.
talked <06310> [appointment. Heb. mouth. determined. or, settled.]
lord <0113> [let not my lord.]
Absalom fled <01272 053> [Absalom fled.]
[as they servant said. Heb. according to the word of thy servant.]
wept loudly <03966 01065> [very sore. Heb. with a great weeping greatly.]
Absalom fled <01272 053> [Absalom fled.]
As Absalom had committed wilful murder, he could not avail himself of a city of refuge; but went to Talmai, king of Geshur, his maternal grandfather.
Talmai <08526> [Talmai.]
Ammihud <05991> [Ammihud. or, Ammihur.]
[A.M. 2974-2977. B.C. 1030-1027. An. Ex. Is. 461-464.]
Geshur. This was not the Geshur lying between Philistia and Egypt, (Jos 13:13. 1 Sa 27:8,) but another in Syria; probably the same as that beyond Jordan, whose inhabitants are joined with those of Maachathi, De 3:14. Jos 12:5.
king <04428> [the soul of.]
longed <03615> [longed. or, was consumed.]
consoled <05162> [comforted.]
Joab <03097> [A.M. 2977. B. C. 1027. An. Ex. Is. 464. Joab.]
Absalom <053> [toward Absalom.]
Tekoa <08620> [to Tekoah.]
Tekoah was a city of Judah, situated, according to Eusebius and Jerome, twelve miles south of Jerusalem. Josephus says it was not far from the castle of Herodium; and Jerome (Prologue to Amos) says it stood on a hill six miles south from Bethlehem. Dr. Poccocke places it at the same distance; and says there are still considerable ruins on the top of a hill, which is about half a mile long and a furlong broad.
[Tekoa. mourning.]
fashion Then ... told <07760 01697> [put the words.]
bowed ..... face <05307 0639> [fell on her.]
help <03467> [Help. Heb. Save.]
<061> [I am indeed.]
It is very possible that the principal incidents mentioned here were real; and that Joab found out a person whose circumstances bore a near resemblance to that which he wished to represent. She did not make the similitude too plain and visible, lest the king should see her intention before she had obtained a grant of pardon; and thus her circumstances, her mournful tale, her widow's dress, her aged person, (for Josephus says she was advanced in years,) and her impressive manner, all combined to make one united irresistible impression on the heart of the aged monarch.
two ..... two <08147> [and they two.]
intervene <05337> [none to part. Heb. no deliverer between.]
family <04940> [the whole.]
extinguish <03518> [so they.]
extinguish <03518> [quench.]
face .... earth <06440 0127> [upon the earth. Heb. upon the face of the earth.]
instructions <06680> [I will give.]
blame <05771> [the iniquity.]
king ..... king .................. king <04428> [and the king.]
king <04428> [let the king.]
avenger <01350> [thou, etc. Heb. the revenger of blood do not multiply to destroy. the revengers.]
Lord .......................... Lord <03068> [As the Lord.]
hair <08185> [not one hair.]
servant <08198> [Let thine.]
said ............... matter .... Tell <01697 01696> [speak one word.]
said .................. Tell <01696> [Say on.]
devised <02803> [Wherefore.]
people <05971> [people.]
king ............ king <04428> [in that the king.]
die <04191> [we must.]
water <04325> [as water.]
God <0430> [neither, etc. or, because God hath not taken away his life, he hath also devised means, etc. God.]
devises <02803> [he devise.]
security <04496> [comfortable. Heb. for rest. as an angel.]
This is very much like the hyperbolical language which is addressed by the Hindoos to an European when they desire to obtain something from him: "Saheb," say they, "can do every thing. No one can prevent the execution of Saheb's commands. Saheb is God." Though the expression may be imputed to the hyperbolical genius of these countries, yet there was, perhaps, more of real persuasion than we are apt to suppose. Sir John Chardin states, that having found fault with the king of Persia's valuation of a rich trinket, the grand master told him that if a Persian had dared to have done such a thing, it would have been as much as his life was worth. "Know," said he, "that the kings of Persia have a general and full knowledge of matters, as sure as it is extensive; and that, equally in the greatest and smallest things, there is nothing more just and sure than what they pronounce."
<08085> [to discern. Heb. to hear.]
hide ... information <03582 01697> [Hide not.]
Joab ............................................ Joab <03097> [of Joab.]
live <05315> [As thy soul.]
right <03231> [turn.]
put <07760> [he put.]
change <05437> [fetch.]
wisdom <02451> [according.]
knows <03045> [to know.]
do <06213> [I have done.]
<01288> [thanked. Heb. blessed.]
found <04672> [I have found.]
face ............. servant ........................ servant <06440 05650> [his. or, thy.]
Geshur <01650> [Geshur.]
see ............... see <07200> [let him not.]
Israel <03478> [But in all Israel, etc. Heb. And as Absalom there was not a beautiful man in all Israel to praise greatly.]
sole <03709> [from the sole.]
shave ............. shave ............ shave <01548> [when he polled.]
three pounds <08255 03967> [two hundred shekels.]
If the shekel be allowed to mean the common shekel, the amount will be utterly incredible; for Josephus says that "two hundred shekels make five {min‘:}" and the {mina,} he says, "weighs two pounds and a half;" which calculation makes Absalom's hair weigh twelve pounds and a half! But it is probable that the king's shekel was that which Epiphanius and Hesychius say was the fourth part of an ounce, half a {stater,} or two drachms: the whole amount, therefore, of the 200 shekels is about 50 ounces, which make 4 lb. 2 oz. troy weight, or 3 lb. 2 oz. avoirdupois. This need not be accounted incredible, especially as abundance of oil and ointment was used by the ancients in dressing their heads. Josephus informs us, that the Jews also put gold dust in their hair.
had <03205> [born.]
Tamar <08559> [Tamar.]
seeing ... king's <07200 04428> [A.M. 2977-2979. B.C. 1027-1025. An. Ex. Is. 464-466. and saw not.]
willing ................... willing <014> [but he would.]
to ........... adjacent <03027 0413> [near mine. Heb. near my place. go and set.]
Absalom's <053> [And Absalom's.]
better <02896> [it had been.]
am ... fault <03426> [if there.]
Absalom ........ Absalom ................ kissed <05401 053> [A.M. 2979. B.C. 1025. An. Ex. Is. 466. kissed Absalom.]
Absalom <053> [A.M. 2980. B.C. 1024. Absalom.]
get up <07925> [rose up.]
bring <0935> [came. Heb. to come.]
claims <01697> [thy matters.]
king <04428> [there is, etc. or, none will hear thee from the king downward.]
make <07760> [Oh that I.]
just settlement <06663> [I would do.]
embrace .... kiss <02388 05401> [took him.]
kiss <05401> [and kissed.]
way ... won <01589> [stole.]
four years <0705 08141> [A.M. 2983. B.C. 1021. An. Ex. Is. 470. forty years.]
As David reigned in the whole only forty years, this reading is evidently corrupt, though supported by the commonly printed Vulgate, LXX., and Chaldee. But the Syriac, Arabic, Josephus, Theodoret, the Sixtine edition of the Vulgate, and several MSS. of the same version, read four years; and it is highly probable that {arbÆ’im,} forty, is an error for {arbÆ’,} four, though not supported by any Hebrew MS. yet discovered. Two of those collated by Dr. Kennicott, however, have {yom,} "day," instead of {shanah,} "year," i.e., forty days instead of forty years; but this is not sufficient to outweigh the other authorities.
<03212> [let me go.]
repay <07999> [pay.]
I <05650> [thy servant.]
Geshur <01650> [Geshur.]
serve <05647> [I will serve.]
spies <07270> [spies.]
rules <04427> [reigneth.]
Hebron <02275> [Hebron.]
invited <07121> [called.]
naively <08537> [their simplicity.]
Ahithophel <0302> [Ahithophel.]
David's <01732> [David's.]
Giloh <01542> [Giloh.]
offering <02076> [while he offered.]
people <05971> [the people.]
<03820> [The hearts.]
Come on <06965> [Arise.]
bring <05080> [bring. Heb. thrust.]
kill <05221> [and smite.]
servants <05650> [Behold.]
decides <0977> [appoint. Heb. choose.]
king ................ king <04428> [the king.]
king ............. foot .... king <07272 04428> [after him. Heb. at his feet.]
set out <03318> [went forth.]
Kerethites <03774> [Cherethites.]
Gittites <01663> [Gittites.]
Ittai <0863> [Ittai.]
wander around <05128 03212> [go up and down. Heb. wander in going.]
going ..... go ..... go <01980> [seeing.]
loyal love <02617> [mercy.]
Lord <03068> [As the Lord.]
wherever <04725> [surely.]
dependents <02945> [and all the little.]
Sir John Chardin informs us,in a MS. note on this place, that it is usual with the greatest part of the eastern people, especially the Arabs, to carry their whole family with them when they go to war.
land <0776> [all the country.]
Valley <05158> [the brook.]
The brook Kidron, which is but a few paces broad, runs along the valley of Jehoshaphat, east of Jerusalem, to the south-west corner of the city, and then, turning to the south-east, empties itself into the Dead Sea. Like the Ilissus, it is dry at least nine months in the year, being only furnished with water in the winter, and after heavy rains: its bed is narrow and deep, which indicates that it must formerly have been the channel for waters which have found some other, and probably subterraneous course.
Kidron <06939> [Kidron.]
[Cedron. the wilderness.]
Zadok <06659> [Zadok.]
carrying <05375> [bearing.]
back <07725> [Carry back.]
back <07725> [he will bring.]
dwelling <05116> [habitation.]
[I have not.]
<06213> [let.]
seer <07200> [a seer.]
back <07725> [return.]
Mount <04608> [the ascent.]
Olives <02132> [mount Olivet.]
Mount Olivet, so called from its abounding with olive trees, is situated east of Jerusalem, being separated from it only by the valley of Jehoshaphat and the brook Kidron. Josephus says it is five stadia, i.e., 625 geometrical paces from Jerusalem; and St. Luke (Ac 1:12) says it is a Sabbath day's journey, or about eight stadia distant, i.e., to the summit. It forms part of a ridge of limestone hills, extending from north to south for about a mile; and it is described as having three, or, according to others, four summits; the central and highest of which overlooks the whole of the city, over whose streets and walls the eye roves as if in the survey of a model.
going up ........ weeping .... went ......................... weeping .... went up <05927 01058> [and wept as he went up. Heb. going up and weeping.]
head ... covered ................. heads covered <02645 07218> [his head covered.]
This custom was only practised by persons in great distress, or when convicted of great crimes. Thus Darius, when informed by Tyriotes, the eunuch, that his queen was dead, and that she had suffered no violence from Alexander, covered his head, and wept a long time; then throwing off the garment that covered him, he thanked the gods for Alexander's moderation and justice.
feet were bare <03182> [barefoot.]
weeping ............................ weeping <01058> [weeping.]
Ahithophel .................. Ahithophel <0302> [Ahithophel.]
Lord <03068> [O Lord.]
advice <06098> [turn the counsel.]
summit ..................... head <07218> [the top.]
worship <07812> [he worshipped.]
Hushai <02365> [Hushai.]
Arkite <0757> [Archite.]
clothes torn <07167 03801> [coat rent.]
burden <04853> [then thou.]
back <07725> [return.]
father's <01> [as I have been.]
counter <06565> [then mayest.]
tell <05046> [thou shalt tell.]
two sons <01121 08147> [their two sons.]
friend <07463> [friend.]
Absalom <053> [Absalom.]
