He went through all the tribes of Israel to Abel, to Beth Maacah, and all the Berites. They were gathered together, and went also after him.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 14. Tribes, north-west of the Jordan. Calmet.—Abela and Bathmaacha. Cities of the tribe of Nephtali. Challoner.—The former is called simply Abel (4 Kennicott. 15:29. Calmet.) as it is here by the Prot. version. Bible.—It is also called Abyla, (Luke 3:1,) and Hoba, (Genesis 14:15. Calmet.) between Damascus and Paneas, (Euseb.) situated on the borders of Syria, as well as Beth Maaca, or “the canton of Maacha,” or Machati. Joshua 12:5.—Chosen. Hebrew Berim, (which is translated “Berites,” by the Prot. Bible.) is derived from Bara, “to choose,” by S. Jerom. Septuagint have read airim, “cities.” Some suppose that the inhabitants of Bahurim (near Mount Ephraim, verse 21, where Semei, a relation of Saul, and many disaffected people resided) shut themselves up with him in Abela.