2 Samuel 18:1

2 Samuel 18:1-8. The battle in the forest of Ephraim

1. And David, &c. The events here recorded cannot have followed immediately on David's arrival at Mahanaim. An interval of a few weeks must be assumed, during which the rival armies were mustered and organized. Cp. note on ch. 2 Samuel 17:24.

numbered The word means not merely to count, but to musterand review.

captains of thousands and captains of hundreds The usual military divisions (1 Samuel 22:7; Numbers 31:14; and see note on 1 Samuel 8:12); corresponding originally to the civil divisions instituted by Moses (Exodus 18:25). See note on 1 Samuel 10:19.