11.—lifted up his spear against three hundred] At 2 Sam. xxiii. 8, it is stated that "he lift up his spear against eight hundred, whom he slew at one time." Some have supposed that an error in the number has crept into one of the passages; or perhaps it may be plainer to interpret, that he slew 300 with his own hand, and thereby routed the enemy, in which flight 500 more were slain during the pursuit. Bp. Patrick. A catalogue of David's mighty men. that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: but David would not drink of it, but poured it out to the LORD, 26. Also the valiant men &c.] The rest that here follow make up the thirty famous soldiers in David's army, with an addition of some others, whose exploits made them worthy to be left on record. There are some changes and additions, with respect to the names of several of them, which must be accounted for by length of time and accidental circumstances. Pyle. — whose faces were like the faces of lions,] This expression may be understood to signify the fierceness of their countenances; or rather perhaps, as is preferable, the undauntedness of their courage. Pyle. Chap. XIII. ver. 3. — let us bring again the ark of our God] It is stated in 2 Sam. v, vi, that this took place after what is mentioned in the next chapter respecting the wars of Hiram and David with the Philistines. And thus probably it happened; only David, as became a good king whose first care is about religion, took advice, as soon as he came to the crown, of the elders of his people, concerning the bringing up the ark of God, which was not put in execution till some time afterwards. — for we enquired not at it in the days of Saul.] The words in the Hebrew may be translated, "We enquired not about it in the days of Saul:" meaning, that they were not solicitous in those days to find a fit place for the residence of the ark of God, where they might conveniently attend upon His worship and service, being hindered by perpetual wars, and not sufficiently concerned about religion. Bp. Patrick. For what follows in this chapter, see the notes on 2 Sam. vi. Chap. XIV. ver. 4. — these are the names of his children] Two more names are mentioned here than were given at 2 Sam. v. Probably two of the children died David conquers the Philistines. The priests and Levites Before CHRIST about 1043. 1047. all Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek David. And David heard of it, and went out against them. 2. — even of Saul's brethren] The circumstance here mentioned is remarkable, that these persons who took part with David were of the kindred of Saul. They were probably moved so to act by some extraordinary cause, either by the great virtues of David, or by abhorrence of the persecution raised against an innocent man, or by regard to the words of Samuel concerning David's right to the kingdom. Bp. Patrick. 2. — None ought to carry the ark — but the Levites:] The former miscarriage, when they brought up the ark from Kirjath-jearim, had taught David to treat it with greater reverence, and to have it carried on the shoulders of the priests, according to the prescription of the law at Num. iv. 15. Bp. Patrick. 8. — into the hold to the wilderness] There are several holds or inaccessible places mentioned, where David secured himself from Saul's persecution. See 1 Sam. xxii. 4; xxiii. 14; xxiv. 22. Perhaps however the text may still be referring to Ziklag. Bp. Patrick. 13. — for that we sought him not after the due order.] This good king does not wholly excuse himself and lay Before CHRIST 1043. 13. about 1043. Or, Jahannam. 15. — that went over Jordan in the first month,] This is mentioned as a proof and instance of their undaunted valour, that they ventured to swim over Jordan in the most dangerous season, and "put to flight all them of the valleys, &c." that is, some of the neighbouring people who had seized the opportunity of invading and spoiling the land thereabout, perhaps when Saul was engaged in an enterprise against the Philistines. Bp. Patrick. 17. — into all lands:] Into a great many lands; for in this restrained sense the Hebrew word rendered all is frequently used. Bp. Patrick. Chap. XV. ver. 1. And David made him houses] The history now returns to the transactions of David at Jerusalem, which were left off at chap. xiii. The king having "made him houses," that is, having completed all the apartments of his palace, and prepared a new tabernacle for the reception of the ark, resolved to move it thither. Pyle. 18. Then the spirit came upon Amasai,] That is, God moved him with an heroical boldness and resolution to profess, in the name of them all, their fidelity to David in such pathetical words as convinced him of their good intentions towards him. Bp. Patrick. 19. — but they helped them not:] See 1 Sam. xxix. 1. &c. where it is related, that the Philistines refused the assistance of David and his companions, from suspecting their good faith. The armies that came to David at Hebron. Before CHRIST about 1056. Or, with a hand. 1048. Or, captains, or, men. + Heb. hands. Or, prepared. + Heb. brethren. + Heb. a multitude of them. + Heb. men of names. 20. As he went to Ziklag, &c.] Others of the tribe of Manasseh, whose names are here mentioned, joined him at the very point of time when "the band of (Amalekite) rovers" had destroyed his fortunes and carried his family into slavery, which great loss these valiant commanders helped to repair. See 1 Sam. xxx. Pyle. 22. For at that time] Namely, after the battle in which Saul was slain. Dr. Wells. 32. — men that had understanding of the times,] The meaning of these words has been the subject of doubt. Some have supposed them to imply such a skill in computing the years and months, as enabled them exactly to determine the time of all festivals, the new moons, the passover, &c. Howbigant. But a more probable sense seems to be, that these men of Issachar now gave proof of their knowledge of the times, or fit seasons of action, in telling the rest of the nation that this was the proper season for making David king, when Saul's family was dead; and that he was the person most likely to subdue the Philistines, by whom they had been so often beaten. Bp. Patrick, Pyle. Or generally, men who had political prudence to discern and embrace the fit seasons for all actions. S. Clarke. 40. — and on oxen,] The mention of oxen as beasts of burden is remarkable; but the same custom still obtains in the East. Dandini expresses surprise at seeing them so employed in the neighbourhood of Tripoli in Syria. Harmer. The ark fetched from Kirjath-jearim. CHAP. XIII, XIV. David's felicity in people, &c. Before CHRIST 1045. # CHAP. XIII. Chap. XVII. ver. 5.—I—have gone from tent to tent, &c.] In the parallel place at 2 Sam. vii. 6, it is said, "I have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle;" the meaning of both is the same, that the ark of the Divine Presence was kept in a moveable tent, and not in a fixed temple. Bp. Patrick. The expression, "I have gone from tent to tent," may allude to the removal of the tent from one place to another; "I have gone David's prayer and thanksgiving. He subdueth the Philistines, &c. Before CHRIST about 1043. 20. — with psalteries on Alamoth;] Or the words may be translated, "together with Alamoth." What is meant by Alamoth is uncertain; but, from its being joined with psalteries, it is thought to mean a musical instrument. Bp. Patrick. 21. — with harps on the Sheminith] Or "together with the Sheminith." The Hebrew Sheminith refers to the number eight, whence some understand by it an instrument with eight strings, or an instrument which sounds the note called an octave by musicians. Simonis. 26. — when God helped the Levites] When God enabled them to discharge their duty without any gross error or disaster befalling them. Pyle. Or, when He encouraged them in their work with some comfortable sign of His approbation. S. Clarke. He is forbidden to build God an house, CHAP. XVI, XVII. but is promised blessings in his seed. ark of the covenant of the LORD Asaph and his brethren, to minister before the ark continually, as every day's work required: