he took counsel with his princes and his mighty men to stop the waters of the springs which were outside of the city, and they helped him.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 3. City. The torrent Cedron afforded the only good supply of water. It was often dry, and was only three steps across, when full of melted snow or rain. The waters of Siloe and Gihon were collected in it. Yet it was no difficult enterprise for the king to turn the stream, and introduce the waters through the rock into a large reservoir, in the city, by the canal, which is mentioned 2 Esdras 2:14. Sirach 48:19. The besieged were more frequently deprived of water. Judith 7:6. Babylon was taken by Semiramis, Cyrus, and Alexander, after they turned aside the waters of the Euphrates; and Cæsar obliged the town of Cahors to surrender, by intercepting the springs. Frontin. iii. 7. Calmet.