Chapter 20

1 Rabbah is besieged by Joab, spoiled by David, and the people thereof tortured. 4 Three giants are slain in three several overthrows of the Philistines.

1. Came to pass. Chapter 20 deals with the completion of the Ammonite campaign (vs. 1–3), and with exploits of certain Israelite heroes against Philistine giants (vs. 4–8). For the parallel account, see on 2 Sam. 11:1; 12:26, 30, 31; 21:18–22.

After the year was expired. Literally, “at the time of the return of the year.” This was the spring of the year. It was at that season that armies regularly went forth to battle. The rainy winter season was not suitable for military operations. But with spring the rains ceased and the harvests ripened, providing invading armies with food. Assyrian records show that it was a regular practice for armies to go forth on their campaigns in the month of Nisan. Nisan was the first month of the Assyrian and Babylonian year, the first month of the Hebrew religious year (see Ex. 12:2; Deut. 16:1 [called Abib]; Esther 3:7), and probably the first month of the civil year in the northern nation of Israel after the disruption. Judah began its civil year with Tishri (the 7th month), in the autumn. On the two beginnings of the year, see Vol. II, pp. 109–111, 116.

Tarried at Jerusalem. In Samuel the account continues from this point with the narrative of David’s adultery with Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah the Hittite (2 Sam. 11:2–27).

Joab smote Rabbah. At the climax of the siege Joab called for David to come and effect the final capture (see on 2 Sam. 12:27–29).

2. A talent of gold. A talent is about 75 lb. avoirdupois. It is difficult to imagine anyone’s wearing a crown of such weight. If it was the crown and not, as some think, a precious stone, that was “worn” on this occasion, some means of support must have been provided to help carry this unusual weight (see on 2 Sam. 12:30).

3. Cut them with saws. This expression varies by only one letter in the consonantal Hebrew from the reading in Samuel, which says “put them under saws”; that is, David put the Ammonites under forced labor with these implements (see on 2 Sam. 12:31).

4. Gezer. See on 1 Chron. 14:16.

Sibbechai. See on 2 Sam. 21:18, which places this battle with the Philistines at Gob, evidently an unidentified place near Gezer. Sibbechai was one of the valiant commanders of David’s army (1 Chron. 11:29; 27:11).

Sippai. Or, “Saph” (2 Sam. 21:18).

5. War again. According to 2 Sam. 21:19 the site of the new war was again Gob (see on 1 Chron. 20:4).

Jair. Or, “Jaare-oregim, a Beth-lehemite” (2 Sam. 21:19).

Goliath. The warrior over whom David as a mere youth had gained his great victory (1 Sam. 17:4). Gath was the home of men of great stature (1 Chron. 20:6, 8).

6. Whose fingers. The Hebrew text here is shorter than in 2 Sam. 21:20. The clause describing the digits of the giant reads literally, “And his fingers [the Hebrew word for “fingers” is used also to designate the toes] six and six—twenty and four.”