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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comAdam Clarke Commentary - 2 Samuel 5:6 - 5:6
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The king and his men went to Jerusalem - This city was now in the hands of the Jebusites; but how they got possession of it is not known, probably they took it during the wars between Ish-bosheth and David. After Joshua’s death, what is called the lower city was taken by the Israelites; and it is evident that the whole city was in their possession in the time of Saul, for David brought the head of Goliath thither, 1Sa 17:54. It appears to have been a very strong fortress, and, from what follows, deemed impregnable by the Jebusites. It was right that the Israelites should repossess it; and David very properly began his reign over the whole country by the siege of this city.
Except thou take away the blind and the lame - Scarcely a passage in the sacred oracles has puzzled commentators more than this. For my own part, I do not think that it is worth the labor spent upon it, nor shall I encumber these pages with the discordant opinions of learned men. From the general face of the text it appears that the Jebusites, vainly confiding in the strength of their fortress, placed lame and blind men upon the walls, and thus endeavored to turn into ridicule David’s attempt to take the place: Thou shalt not come in hither, except thou take away the blind and the lame; nothing could be more cutting to a warrior.
Dr. Kennicott has taken great pains to correct this passage, as may be seen in his First Dissertation on the Hebrew Text, pages 27 to 47. I shall insert our present version with his amended text line for line, his translation being distinguished by italics; and for farther information refer to Dr. K.’s work.
2Sa 5:6.
And the king and his men went to And the king and his men went to
Jerusalem unto the Jebusites, the inhabitants of Jerusalem unto the Jebusites, the inhabitants of
the land: who spake unto David, saying, the land; who spake unto David, saying;
Except thou take away the blind and the Thou shalt not come in hither; for the blind
lame, thou shalt not come in hither: thinking, and the lame shall drive thee away by saying,
David cannot come in hither. “David shall not come in hither.”
2Sa 5:8.
And David said - Whosoever getteth And David said - Whosoever smiteth the
up to the gutter, and smiteth the Jebusites, Jebusites, and through the subterranean passage
and the lame and the blind, that are hated reacheth the lame and the blind who
of David’s soul - Wherefore they said, The hate the life of David (because the blind and
blind and the lame shall not come into the the lame said, “He shall not come into the
house. house,”) shall be chief and captain. So
Joab the son of Zeruiah went up first, and
was chief.