Lux Domini
And it came to pass, when David was come to Mahanaim, that Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and Machir the son of Ammiel of Lodebar, and Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim,

Key themes

Justice and mercyHumilityDavidic covenantSin and judgment

Glossary

David Person

Beloved, the eighth and youngest son of Jesse, a citizen of Bethlehem. His father seems to have been a man in humble life. His mother’s name is not recorded. Some think she was the Nahash of 2 Sam. 17:25 .

Mahanaim Place

Two camps, a place near the Jabbok, beyond Jordan, where Jacob was met by the “angels of God,” and where he divided his retinue into “two hosts” on his return from Padan-aram ( Gen. 32:2 ). Modern identification: Tell edh Dhahab el Gharbi.

Gilead Place

Biblical region. Modern identification: Tell edh Dhahab esh Sherqiyeh.

Ammiel Person

People of God. (1. ) One of the twelve spies sent by Moses to search the land of Canaan ( Num. 13:12 ). He was one of the ten who perished by the plague for their unfavourable report ( Num. 14:37 ).

Ammon Place

Biblical region. Modern identification: Amman.

Barzillai Person

Of iron. (1. ) A Meholathite, the father of Adriel ( 2 Sam. 21:8 ). (2. ) A Gileadite of Rogelim who was distinguished for his loyalty to David. He liberally provided for the king’s followers ( 2 Sam. 17:27 ).

Lo-debar Place

No pasture, ( 2 Sam. 17:27 ), a town in Gilead not far from Mahanaim, north of the Jabbok (9:4, 5). It is probably identical with Debir ( Josh. 13:26 ). Modern identification: Tel Dover.

Rabbah Place

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Amman.

Rogelim Place

Fullers, a town of Gilead, the residence of Barzillai the Gileadite ( 2 Sam. 17:27 ; 19:31 ), probably near to Mahanaim. Modern identification: Zaharet.