(36) Igal.--Chronicles has Joel. The two names differ in Hebrew only in one letter, and that a very similar one; but he is described here as the son of Nathan of Zobah, in Chronicles as the brother of Nathan. Brother is in Hebrew ahi, and some MSS. in Chronicles read the son of Ahinathan. If this be accepted, the only difference would be in the form of a name, Nathan or Ahinathan.

Bani the Gadite.--In Chronicles Mibhar the son of Haggeri. Entirely unlike as these readings appear, they are not so very different in the original. Mibhar is for Zobah of the previous clause, a word at present missing in Chronicles; the son of (Ben) is for Bani; and the Gadite (with the article) differs from Haggeri only by the change of the often confused letters d and r. The text here is the true one.

Verse 36. - Igal the son of Nathan of Zobah. In Chronicles, "Joel the brother of Nathan," Igal and Joel in Hebrew being almost the same. If the text here is correct, he was by birth a Syrian of Zobah, for which see note on 2 Samuel 10:6. Bani the Gadite. In Chronicles, "Mibhar the son of Haggeri," "Mibhar" taking the place of "from Zobah;" "the son," ben, that of "Bani;" and Haggadi, "the Gadite," becoming "Haggeri."

23:8-39 David once earnestly longed for the water at the well of Bethlehem. It seems to be an instance of weakness. He was thirsty; with the water of that well he had often refreshed himself when a youth, and it was without due thought that he desired it. Were his valiant men so forward to expose themselves, upon the least hint of their prince's mind, and so eager to please him, and shall not we long to approve ourselves to our Lord Jesus, by ready compliance with his will, as shown us by his word, Spirit, and providence? But David poured out the water as a drink-offering to the Lord. Thus he would cross his own foolish fancy, and punish himself for indulging it, and show that he had sober thoughts to correct his rash ones, and knew how to deny himself. Did David look upon that water as very precious which was got at the hazard of these men's blood, and shall not we much more value those benefits for purchasing which our blessed Saviour shed his blood? Let all beware of neglecting so great salvation.Igal the son of Nathan of Zobah,.... kingdom in Syria, 2 Samuel 8:3; according to Hillerus (s) the same with Joel, 1 Chronicles 11:38,

Bani the Gadite; who was of the tribe of Gad, as the Targum; in the room of this stands "Mibhar, the son of Haggeri", in 1 Chronicles 11:38.

(s) Onomastic. Sacr. p. 856.