Bible Commentaries
2 Samuel 21

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-23 and 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 1 Samuel 17:0 .

staff . Hebrew "wood", put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause) for what was made from it. App-6 .

Verse 21

defied = reproached.