II. This section corresponds to 2Samuel 21:18-22. The chronicler has omitted the history of Absalom's rebellion, with all the events which preceded and followed it, as recorded in 2 Samuel 13-20; and, further, the touching story of the sacrifice of seven sous of Saul at the demand of the Gibeonites (2Samuel 21:1-14).

(4) And it came to pass after this.--Comp. Notes on 1Chronicles 18:1; 1Chronicles 19:1. The chronicler has omitted, whether by accident or design, the account with which, in 2Samuel 21:15-17, this fragmentary section begins, and which tells how David was all but slain by the giant Ishbi-benob.

There arose war.--Literally, there stood, an unique phrase, which perhaps originated in a misreading of that which appears in 2Samuel 21:18, "there became again."

Gezer.--Samuel, "Gob," an unknown place. Each word (spelling Gob fully) has three consonants in Hebrew, of which the first is common to both, and the other two are similar enough to make corruption easy. For "Gezer," see Joshua 16:3. The Syriac and Arabic here read "Gaza"; but Gezer (so LXX. and Vulg.) seems right.

Sibbechai the Hushathite.--See 1Chronicles 11:29; 1Chronicles 27:11.

Sippai.--Samuel, "Saph."

Of the children of the giant.--See margin. Render, Sippai, of the offspring (a special term--y?lide--see Numbers 13:22; Joshua 15:14) of the Rephaites. "Rapha" was doubtless the collective tribal designation of the gigantic Rephaim (Genesis 14:5).

And they were subdued--Added by chronicler.

Verse 4. - For the Gezer (גֶזֶר) of this verse, the parallel place (2 Samuel 21:18) shows Gob (גוב), a name not known, but which careless transcription may have easily made out of the former. The Syriac Version, however, as well as the Septuagint, has Gath in that verse as well as in the two verses following (2 Samuel 21:18-20), another name also easily interchangeable in Hebrew characters with Gezer. The "yet again" of our ver. 6 would well accord with the supposition that the conflict with the Philistines was at Gath, or at the same place, each of the three times. Gezer belonged to Ephraim, and was situated to the north of Philistia (1 Chronicles 7:28; 1 Chronicles 14:16). Sibbechai (see also 1 Chronicles 11:29; 1 Chronicles 27:11). Sippai. In the parallel place spelt Saph. It is remarkable that, in the Peshito Syriac, over Psalm 143, is found the inscription," Of David, when he slew Asaph, the brother of Gulyad, and thanksgiving that he had conquered." Of the children of the giant. The Hebrew word for "giant," rapha (always in these verses spelt with a final aleph, but in the parallel verses always with he final), is here (Authorized Version) translated. "The Rapha, a native of Gath, was the forefather of the Canaanitish Rephaim, mentioned as early as Genesis 14:5; Genesis 15:20; Deuteronomy 2:11; Deuteronomy 3:11; Joshua 12:4; Joshua 15:8; Joshua 17:15. The slaying of Ishbi-benob (2 Samuel 21:16) is not here given. It is also to be observed that the lengthy account of Samuel, respecting Absalom and his rebellion (2 Samuel 13-21.) is not found here.

20:1-8 David's wars. - Though the Lord will severely correct the sins of his believing people, he will not leave them in the hands of their enemies. His assistance will overcome all advantages of number and strength of those that defy his Israel. All that trust in Christ, shall be made more than conquerors through him that loveth them.See Gill on 1 Chronicles 20:1, 2 Samuel 11:1, 1 Chronicles 20:2, 2 Samuel 12:30, 2 Samuel 21:15, and 1 Chronicles 21:1.