2 Samuel 2:23-32
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.]
