Richard Challoner

This Book relates the transactions from the death of Saul until the end of David's reign, being a history for the space of about forty-six years.

I killed him: This story of the young Amalecite was not true, as may easily be proved by comparing it with the last chapter of the foregoing book.

He reigned two years: Viz., before he began visibly to decline: but in all he reigned seven years and six months; for so long David reigned in Hebron.

There was a long war between the house of Saul: Rather a strife or emulation than a war with arms; it lasted five years and a half.

David took more concubines and wives of Jerusalem: Not harlots, but wives of an inferior condition; for such, in scripture, are styled concubines.

Gabaa: The hill of Cariathiarim, where the ark had been in the house of Abinadab, from the time of its being restored back by the Philistines.

Choirs: Or companies of musicians.

I will establish his kingdom: This prophecy partly relateth to Solomon: but much more to Christ, who is called the son of David in scripture, and who is the builder of the true temple, which is the church, his everlasting kingdom, which shall never fail.

Recorder: Or chancellor.

Scribe: Or secretary.

Princes: Literally priests. (Cohen) So called, by a title of honour, and not from exercising the priestly functions.

The Cerethi and Phelethi: The king's guards.-- Ibid.

I will raise: All these evils, inasmuch as they were punishments, came upon David by a just judgment of God, for his sin, and therefore God says, I will raise, etc.; but inasmuch as they were sins, on the part of Absalom and his associates, God was not the author of them, but only permitted them.

Amiable to the Lord: Or, beloved of the Lord. In Hebrew, Jedidiah.

The city of waters: Rabbath the royal city of the Ammonites, was called the city of waters, from being encompassed with waters.

A very wise man: That is, a crafty and subtle man: for the counsel he gave on this occasion shows that his wisdom was but carnal and worldly.

Blessed: That is, and gave thanks to the king.

Concubines: That is, wives of an inferior degree.

Weeping: David on this occasion wept for his sins, which he knew were the cause of all his sufferings.

Hath bid him curse: Not that the Lord was the author of Semei's sin, which proceeded purely from his own malice, and the abuse of his free will. But that knowing, and suffering his malicious disposition to break out on this occasion, he made use of him as his instrument to punish David for his sins.