CHAPTER X _The king of Ammon being dead, David sends ambassadors to_ _comfort his son Hanun_, by 2. _Hanun, misled by his courtiers, treats the messengers of David_ _with great indignity_, 3-5. _The Ammonites, justly dreading David's resentment, send, and_ _hire the Syrians to make war upon hi... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 10:2. _I WILL SHOW KINDNESS UNTO HANUN THE SON OF NAHASH_] We do not know exactly the nature or extent of the obligation which David was under to the king of the Ammonites; but it is likely that the Nahash here mentioned was the same who had attacked Jabesh-gilead, and whom Saul defea... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 10:3. _THINKEST THOU THAT DAVID DOTH HONOUR THY FATHER_] It has been a matter of just complaint through all the history of mankind, that there is little sincerity in courts. Courtiers, especially, are suspicious of each other, and often mislead their sovereigns. They feel themselves t... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 10:4. _SHAVED OFF THE ONE HALF OF THEIR BEARDS_] The _beard_ is held in high respect in the East: the possessor considers it his greatest ornament; often swears by it; and, in matters of great importance, _pledges_ it. Nothing can be more secure than a pledge of this kind; its owner w... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 10:5. _TARRY AT JERICHO_] This city had not been rebuilt since the time of Joshua; but there were, no doubt, many cottages still remaining, and larger dwellings also, but the _walls_ had not been repaired. As it must have been comparatively a _private_ place, it was proper for these m... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 10:6. _THE CHILDREN OF AMMON SAW THAT THEY STANK_] That is, that their conduct rendered them abominable. This is the Hebrew mode of expressing such a feeling. See Genesis 34:30. _THE SYRIANS OF BETHREHOB_] This place was situated at the extremity of the valley between Libanus and Ant... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 10:7. _ALL THE HOST OF THE MIGHTY_] All his _worthies_, and the flower of his army.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 10:8. _AT THE ENTERING IN OF THE GATE_] This was the city of _Medeba_, as we learn from 1 Chronicles 19:7.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 10:9. _BEFORE AND BEHIND_] It is probable that one of the armies was in the _field_, and the other in the _city_, when Joab arrived. When he fronted this army, the other appears to have issued from the city, and to have taken him in the rear; he was therefore obliged to divide his arm... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 10:12. _BE OF GOOD COURAGE_] This is a very fine military address, and is equal to any thing in ancient or modern times. Ye fight _pro aris et focis_; for every good, sacred and civil; for God, for your families, and for your country.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 10:14. _THE SYRIANS WERE FLED_] They betook themselves to their own confines, while the Ammonites escaped into their own city.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 10:16. _THE SYRIANS THAT_ WERE _BEYOND THE RIVER_] That is, the _Euphrates_. _HADAREZER_] This is the same that was overthrown by David, 2 Samuel 8:3 and there called Hadadezer; which is the reading here of about _thirty_ of Kennicott's and De Rossi's MSS. But the ר _resh_ and ד _dal... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 10:17. _DAVID - GATHERED ALL ISRAEL TOGETHER_] He thought that such a war required his own presence.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 10:18. _SEVEN HUNDRED CHARIOTS - AND FORTY THOUSAND HORSEMEN_] In the parallel place, 1 Chronicles 19:18, it is said, _David slew of the Syrians SEVEN THOUSAND men_, which fought in _chariots_. It is difficult to ascertain the right number in this and similar places. It is very proba... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 10:19. _MADE PEACE WITH ISRAEL_] They made this peace separately, and were obliged to pay tribute to the Israelites. Some copies of the Vulgate add here after the word _Israel,_ _Expaverunt et fugerunt quinquaginta et octo millia coram Israel_; "and they were panic-struck, and fled _... [ Continue Reading ]