4.—that there arose war at Gezer &c.] At this place followed the several transactions and disasters of David's affairs for the space of about thirteen years, which VOL. I. are to be supplied from the second book of Samuel, from chap. xii. to chap. xxi. 15, &c. Pyle. Chap. XXI. ver. 1. And Satan stood up &c.] See the notes at 2 Sam. xxiv. 1. On the phrase "stood up against Israel," it should be remarked, that standing up was the posture of those who charged and accused any person of a crime in a court of justice; see 1 Kings xxii. 21. Thus the allusion here may be, that Satan is represented as bringing some sin to the charge of the Israelites, which he laid before God as a reason for punishing them. For this is the manner of the Holy Scripture, thus to bring things down, and accommodate them to the lowest capacities. Bp. Patrick. 9.—Gad, David's seer,] See the note on 2 Chron. xxxiii. 19. 20. And Ornan turned back, and saw the angel.] This book, it will be observed, supplies many circumstances omitted in the account given in the book of Samuel; and amongst these is the circumstance of Ornan, or Araunah, having himself seen the angel; for there it was only mentioned that David saw him. Bp. Patrick. 23. — and the threshing instruments for wood.] That is, to burn the sacrifice of the oxen. The threshing instrument used in the East is not like a flail, but is a sledge, drawn by two oxen, and driven by a man seated in a chair fixed on the sledge. Such instruments as these might serve to accomplish the purpose of con- 25. — six hundred shekels of gold] See note at 2 Sam. xxiv. 24. 26. — he answered him — by fire] In a similar manner God testified His acceptance of the sacrifices of Gideon and Elijah; and this was the highest and plainest token of His gracious acceptance of any sacrifice. Bp. Patrick.