Syrians] Hebrew, are Aram, and Aramites, for Syria, and Syrians: So still in the Old Testament. These came of Aram the sonne of Shem, Gen. X. 22. We read of Padan-Aram, wherein Haran was, the place where Terah, Bethuel, and Laban dwelt, Gen. XI. 32. and XXVIII. and XXIX. chapters. Of Aram Naharaim, Judg. III. 8. of Aram-Zobah, Ps. LX. title. Of Aram of Damascus, in this Text. The word is of a great latitude, and comprehends great Countreys in it. As Mesopotamia, so called, because in the middle of two armes of Euphrates; or of the two famous rivers of Euphrates and Tygris. And to this Situation the names of Padan-Aram, and Aram-Naharaim do relate. But in later ages Aram most relates to Aram of Damascus, that Syria whereof Damascus was the chief Citie. And of this Syria see more in my Annotations on Amos I. 4, 5. For the Catalogue of the Kings of Syria, see the great Annotations on Amos I. 4. We read of four battels of David with the Syrians. The first, here, when they came to succour Hadadezer against David. And in this, two and twenty thousand of them slain, 1 Chron. XVIII. 5. The second. ver. 13. in the Valley of Salt. And Edomites are named there, 1 Chron, XVIII. 11, 12. and Psal. LX. in the Title of it; Because both Syrians, and Edomites joyned in the battell against Davids Generals, Joab, and Abishai: and therefore the victory is ascribed to each of the three: and the number flaine is twelve thousand, Ps. LX. 1. and six thousand more, either by Joab alone, before the main battel; or by both the brethren, after it in the pursuit of the victory; in all eighteen thousand, 2 Sam. VIII. 13. 1 Chron. XVIII. 12. The third battel, 2 Sam. X. 6,—14. when the Syrians joyned to help the Ammonites; and fled before Joab, 1 Chron. XIX. 6. 7, 10, 14. The fourth battel with the Syrians, 2 Sam. X. 15,—19. wherein David slew (the men) of seven hundred Chariots, i. e. of seven hundred rancks, or troops, having ten in a ranck or troop; not ten men in a Charet; in all seven thousand, 1 Chron. XIX. 18. And fourty thousand horsemen, 2 Sam. X. 18. And fourty thousand footmen, 1 Chron. XIX. 18. And Shobach, the Captaine of their Hoast.