Bible Commentaries
2 Samuel 20

Verse 1

man . Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 .

son of Bichri = a descendant of Becher (Genesis 46:21 ).

tents . One of the emendations of the Sopherim ( App-33 ), by which they transposed the middle two letters of the primitive text and made it read "tents" instead of "gods". The same was done in 1 Kings 12:16 , and 2 Chronicles 10:16 . See notes there.

Verse 6

thou. Some codices, with two early printed editions, read "now", and others, with Septuagint, read "now therefore "

Verse 7

men. Hebrew. 'enosh. App-14 .

Verse 8

as he went forth it fell out = and it (the sword) dropped out, and fell.

Verse 9

Art thou . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .

Verse 13

he was removed , or, thrust.

people . Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 .

Verse 14

he = Joab.

Berites = Bichrites (2 Samuel 20:1 ).

him = Sheba.

Verse 15

bank = mound.

trench = rampart.

Verse 16

hear . Repeated by Figure of speech Epizeuxis. App-6 .

Verse 18

They shall , &c. Figure of speech Parcemia. App-6 .

Verse 19

a city and a mother = a city, a mother city, too. Figure of speech Hendiadys ( App-6 ): i.e. a metropolitan city.

the LORD . Hebrew. Jehovah . App-4 .

Verse 20

far be it. Repeated by Figure of speech Epizeuxis. App-6 .

Verse 21

mount = hill country.

Behold . Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .

Verse 22

all. Some codices, with three early printed editions, omit "all".

her wisdom. Compare Ecclesiastes 9:14 , Ecclesiastes 9:15 .

tent . Compare 2 Samuel 19:8 .

Verse 23

Benaiah . Compare 2 Samuel 8:18 ; 2Sa 23:20 . 1 Kings 1:8 ; 1 Kings 2:34 .

Verse 24

Adoram . Same name as Adoniram (1 Kings 4:6 ).

Verse 25

scribe , or secretary. Compare 2 Samuel 8:17 .

Verse 26

chief ruler . Compare 2 Samuel 8:18 ; 2 Samuel 23:38 .