_Isboseth is omitted in Hebrew but understood. He is expressed in the
Septuagint. The Alexandrian copy generally substitutes Memphibosthai,
by mistake; as he (Miphiboseth) was the son of Jonathan, ver. 4.
(Haydock) --- Weakened. Hitherto Abner had been the chief support of
Saul's family. His traitor... [ Continue Reading ]
_Bands, ( Latronum.) Literally, "robbers," or people who live on
plunder, like the posterity of Ismael, and of Esau, Genesis xxvii. 40.
The life-guards of princes are often styled latrones, (Calmet) from
their being stationed at their "sides," as if Laterones. (Menochius)
----- Fixumque latronis,_... [ Continue Reading ]
_That. Hebrew, &c., "this day," when the historian wrote. (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Miphiboseth. All from Beroth, (ver. 2,) may be included within a
parenthesis, being only mentioned here to let us know the state of
affairs, (Haydock) and how the son of Jonathan could have no
pretensions of the crown. (Grotius) (Calmet) --- He would be almost 12
years old at the death of his uncle... [ Continue Reading ]
_At noon, "to divide the day," as Varro (iii. 2,) writes. This custom
is very prevalent in hot countries. --- And the, &c., is all omitted
in Hebrew and in most ancient manuscripts of St. Jerome's version. It
is taken from the Septuagint, (Calmet) who do not notice any farther
the taking ears of cor... [ Continue Reading ]
_Corn. Soldiers were paid with corn, instead of money. They came,
therefore, under this pretext; or they brought some as a present to
the king, (Liranus) or pretended that they were come to purchase,
(Menochius) or bringing a sample to sell; (Tirinus) ut emptores
tritici. (Chaldean) Protestants, " a... [ Continue Reading ]
_Parlour. Hebrew, "bed-chamber." --- Wilderness. Avoiding places
frequented. (Haydock) --- The distance was about 40 leagues, which
they could not travel in one night. (Calmet) --- Adrichomius says it
was 30 hours' walk. Septuagint, "west-ward." (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Life. They wish to recall to David's remembrance what Saul had done
against him, that he may approve the more of what they had
perpetrated. (Menochius) --- They supposed that, as Abner had been
well received, they should obtain still greater favour. (Salien)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Innocent. Isboseth was such, at least, in their regard. He might also
have mounted his father's throne, bona fide; and, at any rate, it was
not their business to decide the matter (Calmet) in this treacherous
manner. Thus Alexander punished Bessus, who had murdered his master,
Darius, with whom the... [ Continue Reading ]
_Feet, while they were alive, (Theodoret; Menochius) almost as
Adonibezec had treated many; (Judges i. 6,) or they were first put to
death, and the parts cut off were fastened to a cross; as the head and
right hand of Cyrus were by his brother Artaxerxes. (Xenophon, Anab.
iii.) (Calmet) --- Josephus... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER IV.... [ Continue Reading ]