_Year. Hebrew, "at the end of the year," (Chaldean; Syriac) which may be explained either of the year after the preceding engagement, or at the end of the civil year, in the autumnal equinox, (Calmet) or of the sacred year, which begins in the spring, (Haydock) when kings more commonly go to battle,... [ Continue Reading ]
_Noon. He had been reposing, according to custom, chap. iv. 7. (Calmet) --- But the devil was not idle. He was meditating a temptation and crime, which involved a great part of the remainder of David's life in misery. (Haydock) --- He had reigned 18 years, and lived 48, almost without blame. (Salien... [ Continue Reading ]
Eliam. By a transposition of letters, he is called Ammiel, in 1 Paralipomenon iii. 5. Both words signify "my people is God's." This son of Achitophel (chap. xxiii. 34,) was one of David's valiant men, as well as Urias, who is styled the Hethite, being born at Eth; (St. Jerome; Salien) or on account... [ Continue Reading ]
_Purified. Literally, "sanctified." Hebrew and Septuagint, "for she was, " &c. (Haydock) --- Hoc ideo additum ne miraremur illico eam concepisse. (Grotius; Aristotle, Anim. vii. 20. --- Women were obliged to bathe after such actions, Leviticus xv. 18._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Feet. As they did not wear stockings, this practice was very common after a journey. David thus insinuated that Urias might take his rest, and go to his wife, that so he might suppose that the child was his own, and the crime of Bethsabee might be concealed. (Calmet) --- King, as a mark of honour,... [ Continue Reading ]
_House, in the court, for the guards. See Atheneus v. 2., &c._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Journey, of thirty hours' length. (Adrichomius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Ark. Most people suppose that the ark and the priests were before Rabba, as they seem to have been present in all expeditions of consequence. (Menochius) (Calmet) --- but, at any rate, the ark was covered with skins or veils, even in the tabernacle at Gabaon, or at Sion. (Haydock) --- Thing. He bin... [ Continue Reading ]
_Couch. It seems he was one of the guards. Josephus says he was Joab's armour-bearer, (Antiquities vii. 7.) and one of David's heroes, chap. xxiii. 39._... [ Continue Reading ]
Morning of the fourth day, as Urias staid three nights at Jerusalem. It is not clear that he was intoxicated the last of them. On that night David permitted him to act as he should think proper; and finding that he obstinately persisted in the resolution of not going to sleep with his wife, he had r... [ Continue Reading ]
_Die. We no longer behold the genius of that David who would not hurt his persecutor. What a change does a shameful passion introduce in the whole conduct of a man! and how does one false step conduct from one abyss to another! Proprium humani ingenii est odisse quem læseris. (Tacitus) --- David cou... [ Continue Reading ]
_Also. Hence David prays with reason; Deliver me from blood ( sanguinibus) of many slain. He was answerable for all (Cajetan)_... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER XI.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Jerobaal? Hebrews write Jeroboseth, to avoid the mention of Baal, as they also do with respect to the name of Isboseth, who was probably called Isbaal. (Calmet) See Judges, ix. 57. --- Joab supposed that David might probably adduce this instance, to shew the danger of approaching too near the wall,... [ Continue Reading ]
_For him. We may apply to her tears those words of Lucan: -----Lachrymas non sponte cadentes_ Effudit, gemitusque expressit pectore læto. "None affected more sorrow for the death of Germanicus, than those who rejoiced the most at that event." (Tacitus, An. ii.) --- The mourning for the dead usuall... [ Continue Reading ]
Lord; not that David had married the woman, but on account of his former conduct towards her and her husband. (Menochius) --- The canon law forbids the marriages of those who have been accomplices in the death of their former partner; and some have thought that this marriage of David was null. But t... [ Continue Reading ]