ON THE THIRD DAY - This indicates that Aphek was three days’ march from Ziklag, say about 50 miles, which agrees very well with the probable situation of Aphek (1 Samuel 4:1 note). From Ziklag to Shunem would not be less than 80 or 90 miles. The Amalekites, in retaliation of David’s raids 1 Samuel... [ Continue Reading ]
Abiathar had continued to abide with David, ever since he joined him at Keilah 1 Samuel 23:6. On inquiry of the Lord by the ephod, see Judges 1:1 note. The answers were evidently given by the Word of the Lord in the mouth of the high priest (compare John 11:51).... [ Continue Reading ]
BESOR - Thought to be the stream of the Wady Sheriah which enters the sea a little south of Gaza.... [ Continue Reading ]
THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS - Indicating that at least so long a time had elapsed since the sack of Ziklag.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE CHERETHITES - Here used as synonymous with Philistines 1 Samuel 30:16. In David’s reign the body-guard commanded by Benaiah consisted of Cherethites and Pelethites (Philistines?) and a picked corps of six hundred men of Gath commanded by Ittai the Gittite. It would seem from this that the Cheret... [ Continue Reading ]
The meaning is, “and David took all the sheep and oxen which the Amalekites drove” (i. e. had in their possession) “before that acquisition of cattle” (namely, before what they took in their raid to the south), “and they” (the people) “said, This is David’s spoil.” This was his share as captain of t... [ Continue Reading ]
BETHEL - i. e. Bethuel 1 Chronicles 4:30, quite in the south near Beer-sheba, Hormah, and Ziklag; or Bethul Joshua 19:4, one of the cities of the Simeonites. SOUTH RAMOTH - Rather, “Ramoth of the South country” 1 Samuel 27:10; 1Sa 30:1, 1 Samuel 30:14, so-called to distinguish it from Ramoth-Gilead,... [ Continue Reading ]
AROER - Not Aroer on the Arnon, but (if rightly written) some town in Judah, not elsewhere named. Siphmoth, Rachal 1 Samuel 30:29, and Athach 1 Samuel 30:30, are unknown and not elsewhere mentioned; but Zabdi the Shiphmite 1 Chronicles 27:27, who was over David’s wine-cellars, was evidently a native... [ Continue Reading ]
CHOR-ASHAN - Perhaps the same as Ashan Joshua 15:42, in the Shephelah of Judah, inhabited by Simeonites, and one of the priests’ cities 1 Chronicles 4:32; 1 Chronicles 6:59.... [ Continue Reading ]
HEBRON - Now El-Khulil (see Genesis 23:2). Hebron was a city of refuge Joshua 20:7, and one of the cities of the Kohathites Joshua 21:11. It lies twenty miles south of Jerusalem.... [ Continue Reading ]