The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 261

EXPOSITION. than an archaic method of spelling, instances CHAPTER XI. of which have been made rare by the extreme Ver. 1.-After the year was expired; fastidiousness of Hebrew scribes. There is, IIP-brew 1md Revised Version, at the re- however, another example not far off, where turn of the year; that is, ne J oeephus po.re.- the Hebrew word for "poor" is e.leo written phrases it, " the next spring." It seems with an inserted aleph. quito certain that the war with Hadarezer Ver. 2.-David arose from off' his bed. It did not take place in the same year 88 the was usual in Palestine, and remains so in all defeat of the Syrians at Medeba. For the hot countries, to te.ke a siesta. in the heat of gathering of hie mercenaries by Nahash the day (eh. iv. 5): and, on a.waking, David would occupy a long tim!l, and it was done walked backward and forward on the flat so leisurely, that not only did news of it roof of hie house (1 Sam. ix. 25), to enjoy the reach Jerusalem, but David was able to col- cool breezes of the evening. In so doing he lect hie forces, and instead of awaiting the W88 probably following his usual habits; but invasion, could deliver hie attack on the temptation came upon him, as so often is the enemy's ground. The battle at Medeba took case, unexpectedly. We are told that it is place in the autumn, and, as it was impos- regarded in the Ee.et 88 improper for one sible to keep the field with winter so near, neighbour to look over the battlement of his J oab marched back to Jerusalem, intending house into the inner conrt of the next dwell- in the spring to return to the siege of Rabbah. ing (Philippson). Considering the jealousy But David quickly had !information that a with which Orientals guard the female mem- more serious war was impending, and, instead bers of their fe.mily from intrusion, it was a of sending J oab, he now gathers " all Israel," wrong act on the king's part to spy into what ancl, after gaining a victory, it is plain that was going on in the recesses of the adjoin- he mo.rched into the Syrian territories, and ing house. But he did so, and suffered for it compelled by his presence the allies of years of disgrace and misery. For he saw a Hade.rezer to transfer their allegie.nce to beautiful woman, the wife of one of his high him. Simultaneously with this war he had officers, bathing, probably to pnrify herself to meet the attack of the Edomites, for which from some legal uncleBillless, snch as those purpose he detached Abiehai with a por- mentioned in Lev. xv. No blame, so far, tion of his army: and it was necessary also must be attached to her. The place was re- to poet garrisons in their country, and in garded as perfectly secluded, and probably Aram of Damascus. It was while he was neither she nor Uriah had ever suspected thus occupied in the Arameo.n states that that what went on there could be observed he gathered the "much brass " spoken of in from the roof of the king's palace. eh. viii. 8. The Ammonites would neces- Ver. 3.-Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam. sarily be left to themselves while these great In eh. x::ilii. 3! Eliam is said to be the son events were going on, but now, after a respite of Ahithophel, and thus Bath.hebe. would of a year and a he.If, David sent J'oab, and be his granddaughter. Mr. Blunt, in hie his servants, that is, his officers-the word 'Undesigned Coincidences,' p. 143, et seq., "servant" in Oriental courts being con- sees in this the expla.ne.tion of the adherence stantly used to designate those high in re.nk to the side of Absalom of a man so high in near the king's person-and all Israel; that King David's service. It was the result of is, an army go.thered from all the tribes. his indignation at David's profligate treat- In accordance with the cruel customs of ment of so nee.r a relative. In 1 Chron. iii. ancient warfare, they began by laying the 5 she is called "Bathshua., the daughter of whole couutry waste, and putting all whom Ammiel." The latter is a transposition of they found to the sword, o.nd thus destroyed Elie.m, both names being compounded of .Am, the ohildren of Ammon before lnying siege people, and El, God. Uri&h the Hittite. We to the cnpital, into which all the people by read in eh. x.xiii. 39 the.t he was one of these harsh measures had been forced to go David's "mighties," and it is reme.rkable for refuge. In the Hebrew there is a curious that we should thus find high in rs.nk in spelling, the word "kings" being written David's army a member of that grand race melakim, with an a.leph to represent the who had disputed with Egypt and Assyria long a. It is a mistake to suppose that a the empire of the East. Their head now different word, malakim, "o.ngels" or "am- was Toi, King of Hawath. ~ssadore,'' is meant, o.e it is nothing more Ver. ½.-David sent messengers, a.nd took 268 THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. [cB. XI, 1-27.