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. CHAPTER XVIII. Land, or city, 2 Kings x. 3. (Calmet) --- What evils proceed from evil counsellors! From. Hebrew, "in the midst, above the thighs:" exposing them to derision. (Haydock) Done. Hebrew, "made themselves stinking." Septuagint, "that the people of David were covered with confusion." The insult fell on all Israel. --- Mesopotamia is not mentioned [in] 2 Kings, as the troops perhaps did not arrive soon enough for the first battle, ver. 16. Chariots. This number seems excessive, and it may have been put for infantry; the number of which, specified [in] 2 Kings, was 33,000. But the troops of Mesopotamia are not there mentioned, and this supplies what was left defective. (Calmet) --- The chariots may signify those who fought upon them, (Menochius) ver. 18., and Isaias xxi. 7. (Tirinus) --- Sometimes the whole number is specified; at others only a part. River, in Mesopotamia. Joab did not allow them time to arrive. --- Sophach, or Sobac. Adarezer sent also to collect these forces, 2 Kings. CHAPTER XIX. Chariots. Literally, "chariot." 2 Kings has only 700, and 40,000 horsemen. (Calmet) --- Ten men might be in each chariot. (Du Hamel) Went. Hebrew, "made peace with David." The many petty kings who had hitherto been tributary to Adarezer, submitted now to the conqueror. (Calmet) Year. Hebrew, "at the return of the year," in spring. (Calmet) Melchom. Septuagint add the explanation, "their king." It may also be referred to the idol of Ammon. (Haydock) --- The massy crown was suspended over David's head. (Tirinus) (Du Hamel) Harrows. Hebrew, "cut them with saws, and with harrows; (Haydock) or, rollers of iron, and with saws." But some other term was probably used, as we find saws before. (Calmet) --- Protestants have "axes." This exemplary punishment was in consequence of the violation of the law of nations. Abulensis pronounced it lawful. Tirinus accuses David of a grievous sin of cruelty; observing that he was at this time involved in the sin of adultery: and people easily fall from one abyss into another. Cruelty and lust often go together. Yet it seems best to suspend our judgment. (Haydock) --- David might only treat the most guilty in this manner. (Du Hamel) Gazer, which seems preferable to Gob, 2 Kings xxi. 18. Adeodatus. Hebrew, "Elchanan, the son of Jair, of Lehem;" or, "slew Lechemi, brother of Goliath;" or equal to him in strength. (Calmet) --- Brother is here supplied, as it is wanting, 2 Kings. (Du Hamel) Rapha, head of the giants of Palestine. (Calmet)