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plural), mentioned in Exodus 26:1. These formed the Mishcan, or dwelling - thus
proving that "the curtains" hung within the wooden framework, and constituted the
"dwelling" itself.
(^284) Nathan, "given" - a prophet (whereas Gad is designated as a "seer," 1 Samuel
9:9), whose name here appears for the first time. For further notices of him see 2
Samuel 12; 1 Kings 1:10, 22, 34; 1 Chronicles 29:29; 2 Chronicles 9:29. From the
latter two passages it appears that Nathan wrote a history of David and (at least in
part also) of Solomon.
(^285) The use here of the name "Jehovah of Hosts" is very significant. It marks, on the
one hand, the infinite exaltation of the Lord above all earthly dwellings, and, on the
other, the real source of David's success in war.
(^286) It is quite evident that the sentences must be arranged and punctuated as we
have done, and not as in our Authorised Version. The same remark applies to the
tenses of the verbs.
(^287) Not "sat," as in our Authorised Version (2 Samuel 7:18). Sitting was not the
attitude of prayer, either under the old dispensation or in Apostolic times.
(^288) The expression "taking the bridle," means taking the command or supremacy
(comp. Job 30:11). The term "mother" is applied to the principal city in a district,
the other towns being designated "daughters."
(^289) By combining the accounts in 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles, it will be seen that
the army consisted, as might be expected, of these three kinds of forces, although
only chariots and horsemen are mentioned in Chronicles, and foot-men in Samuel.
In general these two narratives supplement each other, and also not infrequently
enable us to detect and correct from the one text clerical errors that have crept into
the other.
(^290) This is the correct rendering, and not as in our Authorised Version.
(^291) In 2 Samuel 8:4 by a clerical error the number is given as 700. In general, as
already stated, the details of the two accounts must be compared, so as to correct
copyists' omissions and mistakes in either of them. It need scarcely be pointed out
how readily such might occur in numerals, and where the details were so numerous
and intricate.
(^)