Verse 1
famine. One of the thirteen mentioned. See note on Genesis 12:10.
year after year = the year after that year: i.e. 932. David being now fifty-eight.
the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.
Verse 2
Gibeonites. Compare Joshua 9:3, Joshua 9:16, Joshua 9:17.
now. Note the Figure of speech Parenthesis. App-6.
were = they [were].
children = sons.
Verse 4
any man. Hebrew. "ish. App-14.
Verse 5
coasts = borders.
Verse 6
men. Hebrew. "enosh. App-14.
Verse 8
Michal. Some codices, cited in the Massorah, with Septuagint and Syriac, read "Merab", as in 1 Samuel 18:19.
Verse 12
men = lords, or masters (Hebrew. baalim). Compare 1 Samuel 31:10, 1 Samuel 31:13.
street. The open space by the gate (2 Chronicles 32:6. Nehemiah 8:1, Nehemiah 8:3, Nehemiah 8:16).
when = in the day.
Verse 14
and Jonathan. Some codices, with two early printed editions, and Septuagint, read "the bones of Jonathan".
all. Some codices, with one early printed edition, read "according to all".
God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4.
Verse 15
war again. 930-923 B.C.
waxed faint. David was now sixty.
Verse 16
giant = Rapha. See App-23and App-25,
thought to have slain, or, said he would slay.
Verse 17
light = lamp. Compare Genesis 15:17. 1 Kings 15:4. Proverbs 13:9; Proverbs 20:20, though not the same word in Genesis 15:17,
Verse 18
Gob. Some codices, with two early printed editions, read "Nob".
Verse 19
the brother of Goliath. Omit the italics, and understand another giant of the same name as the Goliath of 1Samuel 17.
staff. Hebrew "wood", put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause) for what was made from it. App-6.
Verse 21
defied = reproached.