_Satan. This shews that the Lord only (Haydock) permitted David's sin, (2 Kings xxiv.; Worthington) and in this sense only he is said to have instigated him; (Du Hamel) though we read this was done by the fury of the Lord, or by an evil spirit. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Israel, who will be severely punished. (Calmet) --- Sin is often used in this sense. (Vatable)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_The number, &c. The difference of the numbers here and [in] 2 Kings xxiv. 9., is to be accounted for, by supposing the greater number to be that which was really found, and the lesser to be that which Joab gave in; (Challoner) or the transcribers of this place have been inaccurate. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Number. These might therefore escape the pestilence. (Du Hamel) --- For. Hebrew, "because the king's word was abominable to Joab." We read that Benjamin was numbered unto David, chap. vii. 5, 11. But that might be on another occasion; or the register continued in the archives, and was not brought t... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER XXI.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Iniquity. David was guilty, though he retained both faith and hope. (Worthington)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Seer, or prophet, whom David kept at court and consulted. He was endued himself with the prophetic spirit._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Three; a word omitted in Hebrew, but supplied by the Protestants. (Haydock) --- "I will bring three things upon thee." (Septuagint)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Three years' famine; which joined with the three foregoing years of famine, mentioned [in] 2 Kings xxi., and the seventh year of the land's resting, would make up the seven years proposed by the prophet, 2 Kings xxiv. 13. (Challoner) --- Perhaps it would be as well to acknowledge a mistake, (2 King... [ Continue Reading ]
_Men. Susanna spoke on a different supposition, (Daniel xiii. 23., and Ecclesiasticus ii. 22.) of eternal punishment, in consequence of sin. David prefers to be punished by the hand of a tender father, rather than that of an enemy; (Tirinus; Estius) and he does not wish to screen himself from suffer... [ Continue Reading ]
_Took. Hebrew, "repented of evil," taking pity of unhappy victims. --- Ornan, or Areuna. (Challoner) --- He had been king of the Jebusites before David took Jerusalem. (Mariana; Tirinus)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Altar. Hence it appears that holy men erected altars by God's command. (Du Hamel)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Now. Hebrew, "and Oranan turned back." --- Angel. Vatican Septuagint, the king and his four sons with him, along with Achabin." Other editions have, "and his four sons hidden with him." Arabic, "and the king, being come near to Aran, he saw David and his," &c. Syriac reads in like manner; but says... [ Continue Reading ]
_Worth. Hebrew, "give it me for the full price," or "worth." Septuagint, "the money was weighed."_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Six hundred sicles, &c. This was the price of the whole place on which the temple was afterwards built: but the price of the oxen was fifty sicles of silver, 2 Kings xxiv. 24. (Challoner) --- Or the fifty sicles were given for the threshing-floor alone. (Calmet) (Du Hamel)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Fire, to testify his approbation. (Worthington; Tirinus) See Genesis iv. 4., and 2 Paralipomenon vii. 1. (Calmet) --- This altar represented the cross, on which the Victim of our reconciliation [Jesus Christ] was offered. (Du Hamel)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_God. He performed what God had commanded. But he would have offered other voluntary victims at Gabaon, if he had been able. (Calmet) --- The distance shewed the propriety of building the temple at Jerusalem, (Du Hamel) which was nearly in the centre of the country. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]