2 Samuel 21:1-22

The Famine and some Exploits against the Philistines

1. It is for Saul, and for his bloody house] rather, ’upon Saul and his house rests bloodshed.’ The Gibeonites] The lives of the Gibeonites had been spared, through fear of God’s anger being excited by any breach of the covenant made with them (Joshua 9, especially Joshua 9:20).

2. Amorites] Strictly speaking, the Gibeonites were Hivites (Joshua 9, 7), especially 2 Samuel 21:20).

2. Amorites] Strictly speaking, the Gibeonites were Hivites (Joshua 9:7), but ’Amorites’ was a general name for the Canaanites.

3. Wherewith shall I make the atonement?] i.e. what sum of money shall I pay as compensation?

4. RV ’It is no matter of silver or gold between us and Saul, or his house; neither is it for us to put any man to death in Israel.’ They would not accept compensation in money, nor did they wish that Israel, apart from Saul, should suffer.

6. Hang them up] The method of execution is uncertain.

Whom the Lord did choose] RV ’The chosen of the Lord.’

8. Michal] Evidently a mistake for ’Merab.’ It was Merab who married Adriel (1 Samuel 18:19). Brought up] RV ’bore.’

9, 10. Barley harvest is in April, and the early rain (until water dropped) in October.

15-22. The text in this section and also in its continuation (2 Samuel 23:8-39) is very corrupt.

15, 16. Read, ’and his servants with him, and settled in Nob, and fought against the Philistines, and---which was of the sons of the giant.’ The giant’s name has been lost.

19. Jaare-oregim] in 1 Chronicles 20:5; ’Jair.’ Elhanan.. slew the brother of Goliath] AV represents the reading of Chronicles. RV represents the text of Samuel, as we now have it, ’Elhanan.. slew Goliath the Gittite.’ If we adopt it, we must suppose that Elhanan was another name of David; but see on 1 Samuel 17.