2 Samuel 4:12

And David commanded, &c. Kitto compares the conduct of David towards the murderers of his rival with that of Alexander the Great towards Bessus, who murdered Darius, and of Caesar towards the murderers of Pompey. It may be questioned whether they were actuated by higher motives than "the traditional policy of rulers, who thus provide that they shall be protected for the present, and afterwards avenged" (Tac. Hist.I. 44), but David's indignation was doubtless sincere.

cut off their hands and their feet The hands which had been stretched out against their master, the feet which had been "swift to shed blood" and to seek reward, were exposed to view in the most public and frequented spot in Hebron, for a spectacle and a warning. Cp. Deuteronomy 21:22. We may compare the practice, formerly in vogue in this country, of exposing the heads and limbs of traitors on the city gates.

over the pool Possibly one of the two great reservoirs, "doubtless of high antiquity," which are still to be seen at Hebron. See Robinson's Bibl. Res.II. 74.