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At the time of the return of the year, at the time when kings go out, Joab led out the army and wasted the country of the children of Ammon, and came and besieged Rabbah. But David stayed at Jerusalem. Joab struck Rabbah, and overthrew it.
Verse 1. Year. Hebrew “at the return of the year,” in spring. Calmet.
David took the crown of their king from off his head, and found it to weigh a talent of gold, and there were precious stones in it. It was set on David’s head, and he brought very much plunder out of the city.
Verse 2. Melchom. Septuagint add the explanation, “their king.” It may also be referred to the idol of Ammon. Bible.—The massy crown was suspended over David’s head. Tirinus. D.
A talent is about 30 kilograms or 66 pounds or 965 Troy ounces
He brought out the people who were in it, and had them cut with saws, with iron picks, and with axes. David did so to all the cities of the children of Ammon. Then David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.
Verse 3. Harrows. Hebrew “cut them with saws, and with harrows; ( Bible.) or, rollers of iron, and with saws.” But some other term was probably used, as we find saws before. Calmet.—Prot. have “axes.” This exemplary punishment was in consequence of the violation of the law of nations. Abulensis pronounced it lawful. Tirin accuses David of a grievous sin of cruelty; observing that he was at this time involved in the sin of adultery: and people easily fall from one abyss into another. Cruelty and lust often go together. Yet it seems best to suspend our judgment. Bible.—David might only treat the most guilty in this manner. D.
After this, war arose at Gezer with the Philistines. Then Sibbecai the Hushathite killed Sippai, of the sons of the giant; and they were subdued.
Verse 4. Gazer, which seems preferable to Gob. 2 Kennicott. 21:18.
Again there was war with the Philistines; and Elhanan the son of Jair killed Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam.
Verse 5. Adeodatus. Hebrew “Elchanan, the son of Jair, of Lehem;” or, “slew Lechemi, brother of Goliath;” or equal to him in strength. Calmet.—Brother is here supplied, as it is wanting. 2 Kennicott. D.
There was again war at Gath, where there was a man of great stature, who had twenty-four fingers and toes, six on each hand and six on each foot; and he also was born to the giant.
When he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea, David’s brother, killed him.
Verse 7. Rapha, head of the giants of Palestine. Calmet.
These were born to the giant in Gath; and they fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants.