BEEROTH - See the marginal reference. From Joshua 9:17, it might have been expected that the population of Beeroth would be Canaanite. But from some unknown cause the Canaanite inhabitants of Beeroth had fled to Gittaim - perhaps the same as Gath - and continued there as sojourners. If this flight o... [ Continue Reading ]
This mention of Mephibosheth seems to be inserted here partly to show that with the death of Ish-bosheth the cause of the house of Saul became hopeless, and partly to prepare the way for the subsequent mention of him 2 Samuel 9:1; 2 Samuel 16:1; 2 Samuel 19:25.... [ Continue Reading ]
LAY ON A BED AT NOON - Render, “was taking his midday rest,” according to the custom of hot countries.... [ Continue Reading ]
AS THOUGH THEY WOULD HAVE FETCHED WHEAT - This is a very obscure passage, and the double repetition in 2 Samuel 4:6 of the murder of the king and of the escape of the assassin, is hard to account for. Rechab and Baanah came into the house under the pretence of getting grain, probably for the band wh... [ Continue Reading ]
CUT OFF THEIR HANDS ... - After they were dead. Their hands and feet were hung up in a place of public resort, both to deter others and also to let all Israel know that David was not privy to the murder of Ish-bosheth.... [ Continue Reading ]