And David took from him a thousand [chariots], and seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: and David houghed all the chariot [horses], but reserved of them [for] an hundred chariots.

Ver. 4. And David took from him a thousand chariots.] As 1 Chronicles 18:4. And the seven hundred horsemen were ranks of horsemen, ten in a rank, and so make seven thousand (ib.). Josephus saith that he slew five thousand horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen. Of David's houghing the horses he maketh no mention, because it might seem to have been unwisely done, though in obedience to God's will, and according to Joshua's practice. It is well observed concerning Josephus, that writing the antiquities of his own nation with an intention to communicate them to others, he described them as stately as he could; and when he thought the simplicity of the Scripture did not suffice to the commendation of things done amongst his Hebrews, he either added or detracted from the holy history; and therefore he is to be read with discretion.

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