The sons of Salma: Bethlehem, the Netophathites, Atroth Beth Joab, and half of the Manahathites, the Zorites.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 54. Salma, or Salmon’s descendants, people Bethlehem, and so forth—Crowns. Valiant heroes who assisted Joab to gain crowns. Worthington.—Hebrew “Hateroth,” the house (Septuagint Alex. of the house of Jobab) of Joab; ( Bible.) perhaps the famous general who had land near Absalom’s, on the frontiers of Ephraim, where Ataroth was situated.—And half. Hebrew “half of the Manahethites.” Prot. ( Bible.) or “of Menuchat, towards Zarai.” The author seems purposely to mention to whom the cities at first belonged, that the right owners might be reinstated in their possessions, at their return from Babylon. Calmet.—This verse may specify six towns, Bethlehem and Netophat, ( Bible.) Beth-Joab, Chatsi, Manachti, and Atsothi.