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(^1) I do not mean for the credibility of one or another special miracle, but for that of
miracles in general.
This, no doubt, must be metaphysically true; but practically it is only a hypothetical
statement, since, admittedly, and, as the very idea of miracles implies, we know
nothing of this higher nature or order of things. But may we not assert that a miracle
does not seem so much an interference with the laws of Nature -of which at most we
have only partial and empirical knowledge -as with the laws and habits of our own
thinking concerning Nature. And if so, does not this place the question on quite another
footing?
(^2) Tradition instances this curious (if not historically accurate) evidence of it, that the
coins which he had struck bore on one side the emblem of a shepherd's staff and scrip,
and on the reverse a tower (Ber. R. 39).
(^3) Both Absalom and Tamar were the children of Maacah, daughter of the king of
Geshur, whom David married after his enthronement in Hebron (2 Samuel 3:3).
Amnon was the son of Ahinoam, the Jezreelitess (2 Samuel 3:2).
(^4) This is the correct rendering, and not "garment of divers colors," as in our Authorized
Version (2 Samuel 13:18, 19). The maiden princesses seem to have worn as mark of
distinction a sleeved cloak-like upper garment. Comp. the Hebrew of ver. 18.
(^5) In the East, burdens are carried on the head.
(^6) That is, in a hostile sense, as the same expression is used in Deuteronomy 28:7. The
Hebrew text seems to admit no other translation than that which we have given. The
Authorized Version, through following the Rabbis, is evidently incorrect.
(^7) The Hebrew "200 shekels" must depend on a copyist's mistake, the lower stroke of k ,
20, having been obliterated, thereby making the numeral r , 200.
(^8) We infer this not only from 2 Samuel 14:22, but also from the ready guess of the king
(ver. 19).
(^9) This is certainly the correct translation. Comp. the similar use of the expression in
Daniel 11:28. If, as the Authorized Version puts it, the king's heart had been toward
Absalom, there would have been no need to employ the woman of Tekoah, nor would
the king have afterwards left Absalom for two full years without admitting him to his
presence (14:28).
(^10) This is the correct rendering of the latter clauses of 2 Samuel 14:14.
(^)