2 Samuel 12:31

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 12:26-31

We have here an account of the conquest of Rabbah, and other cities of the Ammonites. Though this comes in here after the birth of David's child, yet it is most probable that it was effected a good while before, and soon after the death of Uriah, perhaps during the days of Bath-sheba's mourning for him. Observe, 1. That God was very gracious in giving David this great success against his enemies, notwithstanding the sin he had been guilty of just at that time when he was engaged in this war,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 12:31

And he brought forth the people that were therein ,.... Not all the inhabitants of the place, but the princes of the children of Ammon, the counsellors of Hattun, who advised him to use David's ambassadors in so shameful a manner, and others that expressed their pleasure and satisfaction in it: and put them under saws, and under harrows of iron, and under axes of iron ; whereby they were cut asunder, as some were by the Romans and others F14 Suetonius in Vita Caii, c. 27. Vid.... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 12:31

He brought forth the people - And put them under saws. From this representation a great cry has been raised against "David's unparalleled, if not diabolic, cruelty." I believe this interpretation was chiefly taken from the parallel place, 1 Chronicles 20:3 , where it is said, he cut them with saws, and with axes, etc. Instead of וישר vaiyasar , he sawed, we have here (in Samuel) וישם vaiyasem , he put them; and these two words differ from each other only in a part of a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 12:15-31

The facts are: 1 . The child born to David becoming very sick, he entreats God for its life by prayer and fasting. 2 . He persists in refusing the consolations which the elders of his household offer him. 3 . The child dying on the seventh day and David observing the whisperings of his servants, at once ascertains by direct inquiry the certainty of it. 4 . His servants noticing that, on ascertaining the fact of the child's death, he lays aside the tokens of grief and resumes... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 12:26-31

( 1 Chronicles 20:1-8 :l-3) The fall of Rabbah. This event, which occurred after a two years' siege, between the fall of David and his repentance, presents several significant contrasts. 1 . Material success associated with moral failure. His army victorious, his enterprise terminating in triumph; David himself overcome by temptation, and troubled with a guilty conscience. Worldly success and prosperity are no true measure of moral worth and inward peace and happiness. 2 . ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 12:31

The people that were therein. The cruel treatment described in this verse was inflicted, first of all, upon those who had defended Rabbah, now reduced to a small number by the long siege; but David next proceeded through all the cities, that is, the fortified towns of the Ammonites, inflicting similar barbarities. They were confined probably to the fighting men, and most of these would make their escape as soon as resistance became hopeless. The general population would, of course, scatter... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 12:31

For the saw as an implement of torture compare Hebrews 11:37.Harrows of iron - Or rather thrashing-machines (Isaiah 28:27; Isaiah 41:15, etc.).Axes - The word so rendered occurs only here and in 1 Chronicles 20:3. It evidently means some cutting instrument.Made them pass through the brick-kiln - The phrase is that always used of the cruel process of making their children pass through the fire to Moloch, and it is likely that David punished this idolatrous practice by inflicting something... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 12:31

2 Samuel 12:31. He brought forth the people The words are indefinite, and therefore not necessarily to be understood of all the people, but of the men of war, and especially of those who had been the chief actors of that villanous action against David’s ambassadors, and of the dreadful war ensuing upon it; for which they deserved severe punishments. Indeed, since David left Shobi in the government of Rabbah, (2 Samuel 17:27,) it must be presumed that he left some besides female subjects... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 12:1-31

11:1-20:26 CONFLICTS IN DAVID’S FAMILYDavid takes Bathsheba as wife (11:1-12:31)While the Israelite army was out fighting another battle against Ammon, David, back in Jerusalem, committed a series of sins that brought him sorrow and trouble for the rest of his life. To begin with, he was guilty of sexual immorality with Bathsheba, wife of Uriah, one of David’s top soldiers (11:1-5; cf. 23:39).On discovering that Bathsheba was pregnant, David thought of a plan to cover up his sin. He recalled... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 2 Samuel 12:31

put = appointed, appointed over, set, &c. Hebrew. sum (Genesis 2:8 ; Genesis 45:8 , Genesis 45:9 ; Genesis 47:6 . Exodus 2:14 ; Exodus 5:14 . 1Sa 8:11 ; 1 Samuel 7:10 . 2 Kings 10:24 .Psalms 78:5 ; Psalms 81:5 .Hosea 1:11 , &c.) under = with, especially to work with. Hebrew letter (Beth), prefixed as preposition = in, within, with. When the preposition "under " = beneath, then it is either part of a verb or one of four distinct words: 'el (2 Samaritan Pentateuch 2 Samuel 2:23 ); ... read more

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