Begun. Hebrew, "be pleased, (Haydock) or thou hast had the goodness to bless." Syriac, "I pray thee bless." CHAPTER XVII. Daughters. Villages (See 2 Kings viii. 1.; Menochius) and dependant towns. (Worthington) Gifts. Hebrew mincha, a word used to denote the offerings of bread, &c., Leviticus ii. Here it signifies the tribute (Calmet) imposed on the conquered. (Haydock) Adarezer, or Adadezer, 2 Kings. --- When he, the king of Soba, went to extend. Hebrew, "to strengthened his hand on the," &c. --- Hand often denotes power, extent, possession. Footmen. Hebrew may well signify, "1000 chariot-horses and 7000 men who mounted the chariots and the horses." We only find 1700 horsemen, 2 Kings viii. 4. But soon after it is added, David houghed all the chariot-horses. (Calmet) --- They were thus rendered useless. The king was forbidden to keep many horses. (Du Hamel) Damascus. Hebrew, "Aram of Darmesek." Elsewhere the r is omitted. A garrison. Literally, "soldiers." This word has been lost by the neglect of some Hebrew transcriber. (Calmet) --- Protestants supply it. (Haydock) Quivers. Hebrew, "the shields," &c. The term is variously translated, 2 Kings. Chun, called probably Betath, and Berothai, 2 Kings. Adoram, or Joram, 2 Kings. --- Desire. Hebrew, "to ask if all went well with him, and to bless him. Edom, or rather Syria, (Aram) which might easily be exchanged for Edom, 2 Kings viii. David could not satisfy his devotion by building a temple; but he made preparations. Solomon left part of the treasures unconsumed, 1 Paralipomenon xxvi. 26. (Calmet) --- These effects, being destined for sacred uses, are said to be consecrated to the Lord. (Worthington) Edomites. David seems to have been present, and the victory is sometimes attributed to him. Joab afterwards slew 18,000, 3 Kings xi. 15., and title of Psalm ix. (St. Jerome, Trad.) (Calmet) --- Pits. This place was fatal to that nation: there Amasias destroyed 20,000, 2 Paralipomenon xxv. 12. (Tirinus) Abiathar and Achimelech had both names indifferently. Hebrew reads Abimelech, which is a manifest mistake. The name of Abiathar perhaps ought to be in the place of Achimelech; as we know that he was the son of the latter, and the high priest under David. Some would translate, "and Abiathar, son of Achimelech." --- Susa, or Saraias, secretary. About. Literally, "at the hand of the king," to execute his orders, and to assist him. Septuagint, "vicegerents." Syriac, "princes." They are styled priests, 2 Kings viii. 18.