He brought out the people who were in it, and put them to work under saws, under iron picks, under axes of iron, and made them go to the brick kiln; and he did so to all the cities of the children of Ammon. Then David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 31. Sawed. Hebrew “he put them under saws, and under rollers of iron, and under knives,” and so forth Bible.—The Jews say that Isaias was killed by being sawed asunder; to which punishment Saint Paul alludes. Hebrews 11:37. Menochius.—Brick-kilns, or furnaces. Psalms 20:10. Muis.—David and his companions were thrown into the fiery furnace. Daniel 3:6, 11, Esther 13:7. Calmet.—Some condemn David of excessive cruelty on this occasion. Tirinus. Sanctius.—But the Scripture represents his conduct as irreproachable, except in the affair of Urias; (3 Kennicott. 15:5,) and at this distance of time, we know not the motives which might have actuated him to treat his enemy with such severity. The Ammonites had probably exercised similar cruelties on his subjects. See 1 Kennicott. 11:2, Amos 1:13. Calmet.—They had shamefully violated the law of nations, and had stirred up various kings against David. Menochius.—Salien blames Joab for what may seem too cruel. But, though he was barbarous and vindictive, we need not condemn him on this occasion, no more than his master; as we are not to judge of former times by our own manners. Bible.—War was then carried on with great cruelty. Calmet.