Richard Challoner

The concubines: The inferior wives.

Six: Counting the father in the number.

Jabes: That is, sorrowful.

He that made: That is, Joazim, the meaning of whose name in Hebrew is, he that made the sun to stand. In like manner the following names, Lying (Chozeba), Secure (Joas), and Burning (Saraph), are substituted in place of the Hebrew names of the same signification.

Plantations and Hedges: These are the proper names of the places where they dwelt. In Hebrew Atharim and Gadira.

Accounted to Joseph: That is, as to the double portion, which belonged to the firstborn; but the princely dignity was given to Juda, and the priesthood to Levi.

Beria: This name signifies in evil, or in affliction.

Esbaal: Alias Isboseth.

Meribbaal: Alias Miphiboseth. 2 Kings 4:4.

Nathineans: These were the posterity of the Gabaonites, whose office was to bring wood, water, etc., for the service of the temple.

Two ariels: That is, two lions, or lion-like men; for Ariel in Hebrew signifies a lion.

out of the house of Abinadab: 2 Samuel 6:3 adds "who was in Gabaa." That is 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.

Wherefore if to transgress the Sabbath, and to touch the falling Ark, drew down the wrath of God so signally as to deprive the offender of even a momentary respite, shall he who corrupts unutterably awful doctrines find excuse and pardon? Assuredly not. A want of zeal in small matters is the cause of all our calamities; and because slight errors escape fitting correction, greater ones creep in. As in the body, a neglect of wounds generates fever, mortification, and death; so in the soul, slight evils overlooked open the door to graver ones. (St. John Chrysostom Commentary on Gal 1:7)

David took other wives in Jerusalem: Not harlots, but wives of an inferior condition; for such, in Scripture, are styled concubines. (Bishop Richard Challoner on 2 Sam 5:13)

David consulted the Lord: David never waged war unless he was driven to it. Thus prudence was combined in him with fortitude in the battle. For even when about to fight single-handed against Goliath, the enormous giant, he rejected the armor with which he was laden. 1Sam 15:17 His strength depended more on his own arm than on the weapons of others. Then, at a distance, to get a stronger throw, with one cast of a stone, he slew his enemy. After that he never entered on a war without seeking counsel of the Lord. Thus he was victorious in all wars, and even to his last years was ready to fight. And when war arose with the Philistines, he joined battle with their fierce troops, being desirous of winning renown, whilst careless of his own safety. 2Sam 21:15 (St. Ambrose Duties of the Clergy 35.177)

The prophecy, to give out the tunes: Singing praises to God is here called prophecy: the more, because these singers were often inspired men.

Seven thousand chariots: That is, of men who fought in chariots.

2 Samuel 21:19 reads "the son of the Forrest," so it is rendered in the Latin Vulgate, by giving the interpretation of the Hebrew names, which are Elhanan the son of Jaare.

The difference of the numbers here and 2 Kings 24. is to be accounted for, by supposing the greater number to be that which was really found, and the lesser to be that which Joab gave in.

Three years famine: 2 Samuel 24:13 reads "seven years". The apparent discrepency lies in the error in the Hebrew manuscripts. The Greek Septuagint, which is a translation of a much more ancient version, reads "three years famine". (John Litteral) Or it can be explained as that which joined with the three foregoing years of famine mentioned, 2 Samuel 21. and the seventh year of the land's resting, would make up the seven years proposed by the prophet, 2 Samuel 24:13.