*H And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and masons, and carpenters, to build him a house.
Ver. 1. Hiram. This embassy, and the war with the Philistines, took place before the ark was removed. C.
* Footnote * 2_Kings 5 : 11
And Hiram the king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters, and masons for walls: and they built a house for David.*H And David perceived that the Lord had confirmed him king over Israel, and that his kingdom was exalted over his people Israel.
Ver. 2. Perceived, by divine revelation, or by his constant success, (M.) as well as by the presents of "the king of Tyre, and the unanimity" of all the people. D. — Over his. Heb. and Sept. on account of his people. Kings are more for their subjects than for themselves. C.
* Footnote * 2_Kings 5 : 13
And David took more concubines and wives of Jerusalem, after he was come from Hebron: and there were born to David other sons also and daughters:*H Jebahar, and Elisua, and Eliphalet,
Ver. 5. Eliphalet and Noga are not mentioned. 2 K. v. 15. C. See C. iii. 9. H.
*H Elisama, and Baaliada, and Eliphalet.
Ver. 7. Baaliada, probably the same with Eliada. C.
*H And the Philistines hearing that David was anointed king over all Israel, went all up to seek him: and David heard of it, and went out against them.
Ver. 8. Seek him, with a design to oppress him, before his throne was established. H.
* Footnote * 2_Kings 5 : 17
And the Philistines heard that they had anointed David to be king over Israel: and they all came to seek David: and when David heard of it, he went down to a strong hold.*H And when they were come to Baalpharasim, David defeated them there, and he said: God hath divided my enemies by my hand, as waters are divided: and therefore the name of that place was called Baalpharasim.
Ver. 11. Baalpharasim, "the god or master of divisions." C. — The place was so called afterwards. D.
*H And they left there their gods, and David commanded that they should be burnt.
Ver. 12. Burnt, conformably to Deut. vii. 25. These idols were commonly made of wood, and covered with plates of gold, &c. The Philistines took them along with them to battle, as the Hebrews carried the ark on many occasions. The Greeks, at the siege of Troy, had their gods on board their vessels; (Iliad ix.) and the Romans had theirs on their ensigns, in their wars.
*H And David consulted God again, and God said to him: Go not up after them, turn away from them, and come upon them over against the pear trees.
Ver. 14. Pear or mulberry trees, (2 K. v. 23. C.) on the side where the idols were. T.
*H And when thou shalt hear the sound of one going in the tops of the pear trees, then shalt thou go out to battle. For God is gone out before thee to strike the army of the Philistines.
Ver. 15. Tops, or on the height. God sent an invisible army to David's assistance.
*H And David did as God had commanded him, and defeated the army of the Philistines, slaying them from Gabaon to Gazera.
Ver. 16. Gazera, on the borders of the Philistines, near Azotus. C.
*H And the name of David became famous in all countries, and the Lord made all nations fear aim.
Ver. 17. All countries and nations, in the vicinity. H.