2 Samuel 4:1-12

4:1

<03027> [his hands.]

Israel <03478> [and all.]

4:2

units <08269> [captains.]

other <08145> [other. Heb. second. Beeroth.]

4:3

4:4

Jonathan ...................... Jonathan <03083> [Jonathan.]

news <08052> [when the tidings.]

Mephibosheth <04648> [Mephibosheth.]

[Meribbaal.]

4:5

<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.

4:6

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.]

4:7

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.

4:8

sought <01245> [sought.]

Lord <03068> [the Lord.]

4:9

delivered <06299> [who hath.]

4:10

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.]

4:11

wicked <07563> [when wicked.]

require <01245> [require.]

earth <0776> [from.]

4:12

them ... death .... cut <02026 07112> [slew them.]

hung <08518> [hanged.]

tomb <06913> [in the sepulchre.]