(18) Seven thousand men which fought in chariots, and forty thousand footmen.--Heb., seven thousand chariotry (rekeb), &c. Samuel reads, "seven hundred chariots, and forty thousand horse-men." Such deviations seem to indicate independent sources. We can hardly choose between the two accounts; but "horsemen" may be more correct than "footmen." (See 1 Chronicles 18:4-5.)
And killed Shophach . . .--Abridged statement. (Comp. 2 Samuel 10:18.)
Verse 18. - Seven thousand men which fought in chariots. The parallel passage has the men of seven hundred chariots. There could not be ten fighting men to a chariot. The reading of Samuel is more likely to be correct than our present reading. Forty thousand footmen. The parallel place shows "horsemen."
19:1-19 David's wars. - The history is here repeated which we read 2Sa 10. The only safety of sinners consists in submitting to the Lord, seeking peace with him, and becoming his servants. Let us assist each other in a good cause; but let us fear lest, while made instruments of good to others, we should come short of salvation, through unbelief and sin.
And killed Shophach . . .--Abridged statement. (Comp. 2 Samuel 10:18.)