land of Tob] A part of a countrey, lying along mount Gilead, not far from the Ammonites in the entrance of Arabiz the desart. 2 Sam. 10. 6, 8.
vain men] Idle fellows, that had no calling, nor means of maintenance.
went out with him] i. e. In military expeditions to fetch in booty to live upon, wanting other means; and as it is likely from the Ammonites, and with such good successe, that hereby the Gileadites were moved to think him the fittest man to be their generall.