Westminster Annotations, 2 Samuel (2 Kings) · Chapter 5
CHAP. V.
Vers. 1. CAme all the tribes] 1 Chro. 11. 1. That is, elders and chief of all, or else their ambassadours.
thy bone] That is, descended from the same father Jacob, and therefore all brethren, out of which God commandeth to chuse a king, Deut. 17. 15. See Gen. 29. 14, Judg. 9. 2.
V. 2. leddest out] That is, wast then our captain, and so the more sit to be chosen king, because thou art expert in war, and able to lead an army. So Num. 27. 17.
the Lord] That is, hath already anointed thee king by Samuel, 1 Sam. 16. 11, 12.
shalt feed] That is, shalt govern them with such fidelity, affection and care, as a good sheepherd doth his sheep, Psal. 78. 70, 71.
V. 3. before the Lord] Calling him to be a witnesse and judge of performing the covenants which were made between them. See Judg. 11. 11.
V. 5. seven yeers, and six moneths] Chap. 2. 11.
thirty and three] The last yeer being begun, but not finished; for he reigned precisely but thirty and two yeers and six moneths: but, to make up a round number, the last yeer, though not compleat, is added, as is usuall in the Scriptures, Judg. 20. 46.
V. 6. the king and his men] That is, his army went, by Gods direction, and consent of the elders that were with him.
Jerusalem] Before called Jebus, Judg. 19. 10. and Salem, Gen. 14. 18. Psal. 76. 2. belonging to Judah and Benjamin: but yet a chief and strongest part of it, till this time, was in the possession of the Jebusites, the old inhabitants of this city, Judg. 1. 8, and 19. 12.
spake unto David] That is, in scorn and derision, trusting in the impregnable strength of their sort, That though there were none but the blinde and lame to defend it, they were sufficient to hold it against all Davids forces. Some think, That in contempt of David and his forces, they had placed onelyonly blinde, lame and impotent persons in the fort to defend it, boasting that they were sufficient, in respect of the strength of the fort. Some, by blinde and lame, understand the idolls of the Jebusites, to whom, as their protectors, they entrusted the fort, calling them blinde and lame, according to the Israelites esteem, and not their own, boasting that they should sinde them able enough to defend them.
thinking, David cannot come in hithen] Or, saying, David shall not, &c.
V. 8. getteth up] That is, shall enter the sort first, and slay the Jebusites, 1 Chron. 11. 6. taking away the lame and blinde, or the idols placed there.
that are hated] That is, by reason of that scorn which the Jebusites put upon him; vers. 6. whether we understand the idols, which Davids Soul hated; or impotent persons, in regard of their presumptuous contempt.
he shall be chief and captain] 1 Chron. 11. 6.
wherefore they said, The blinde and the lame shall not come into the house] Or; because they had said; even the blinde and the lame, He shall not come into the house.
they said] That is, it became a proverb among the people, for a perpetuall memoriall of this victory: or els… taken up and used to reprove them who were too presumptuous and confident in their own strength, seeing they might be deceived as well as these Jebusites. Others read it as in our margin …; because they had said] That is, David promiseth this reward to him that should take away the blinde and lame, because they had pu… this scorn upon him.
V. 9. Milio] A deep and broad valley or di…ch, dividing Sion from the lower city; from whence David raised his wall of defence about Sion. See 1 King. 9. 15.
V. 10. went on] Hebr. went going and growing] That is, prospered in all his attempts.
V. 11. Hiram king of Type] 1 Chron. 14. 1. A royall, potent and famous city of merchandise, situate on and in the sea, by the west limits of Asher. See Josh. 19. 29.
cedar] Out of Lebanon, of which he was lord and master.
masons] Hebr. hewers of the stone of the wall.
V. 12. perceived] That is, by Gods blessing and prospering of him in all his affairs.
V. 13. concubines] See Judg. 19. 1, 2. 1 Chron. 3. 5.
V. 14. Shamnua] Called also Shimea, 1 Chron. 3. 5.
Elishua] Called also Elishama, 1 Chron. 3. 6.
V. 16. Eliada] Called Beeliada, 1 Chron. 14. 7.
V. 17. But when the Philistines heard] 1 Chron. 11. 16. and 14. 8.
to seek David] To wit, that they might sight with him before he were well setled in his kingdom.
the hold] That is, some strong fort, that he and his camp might be safe from the attempts of his enemies, till he had further direction from God what to do.
V. 18. Rephaim] Or, of the giants, Gen. 14. 5. situate on the north limits of Judah in Benjamin, westward from Jerusalem; Josh. 15. 8.
V. 19. David enquired] See 1 Sam. 23. 9. 3…. 7. 2 Sam. 2. 1.
V. 20. Baal-perazim] Isa. 28. 21. So called by David, on this occasion.
of waters] Which breaking in with violence, run over and overturn all.
Baal-perazim] That is, the plain of breaches.
V. 21. their images] That is, the idolls which they brought with them, trusting in them for victory. See 1 Sam. 31. 9.
burnt them] Or, took them away; By Davids commandment; according to the law, 1 Chron. 14. 12. Deut. 7. 25.
V. 24. of a going] That is, a noise of an army marching, with horse-men and chariots; the which perhaps the Philistines also hearing, were terrified, as 2 King. 7. 6.
shall the Lord] Or, then is the LORD gone.
V. 25. Goba] Called also Gibeah in Benjamin, Judg. 19. 13. and 20. 10. and Gibeon, 1 Chron. 14. 16.
Gazer] Situate in the west of Ephraim, Josh. 16. 10. but now possessed by the Philistines.