Commentary on the Whole Bible

Now it came to pass - See the same history, Sa2 10:1 (note), etc., and the notes there.

And cut off their garments in the midst - Usque ad eorum, pudenda. So the Targum, Jarchi, and others; leaving exposed what nature and decency require to be concealed. See on Sa2 10:4 (note).

Chariots and horsemen out of Mesopotamia - These are not mentioned in the parallel place in Samuel; probably they did not arrive till the Ammonites and their other allies were defeated by the Israelites in the first battle.

Thirty and two thousand - The whole number mentioned in Samuel is, Syrians, of Beth-rehob, and of Zoba, twenty thousand; of King Maacah, one thousand; of Ish-tob, twelve thousand; in all thirty-three thousand. Of chariots or cavalry there is no mention. These could not have been the whole army.

Be of good courage - See the note on Sa2 10:12.

Forty thousand footmen - See this number accounted for in the note on Sa2 10:18 (note).

They made peace with David, and became his servants - See on Sa2 10:19 (note), and the concluding note in that place; and see for omissions in Chronicles, the preface to these books.