2 Samuel 5:21

5:21 The Philistines 1  abandoned their idols 2  there, and David and his men picked them up.

2 Samuel 6:1

David Brings the Ark to Jerusalem

6:1 David again assembled 3  all the best 4  men in Israel, thirty thousand in number.

2 Samuel 15:13

David Flees from Jerusalem

15:13 Then a messenger came to David and reported, “The men of Israel are loyal to Absalom!” 5 

2 Samuel 16:15

The Advice of Ahithophel

16:15 Now when Absalom and all the men 6  of Israel arrived in Jerusalem, 7  Ahithophel was with him.

1 tn Heb “they”; the referent (the Philistines) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

2 tc For “idols” the LXX and Vulgate have “gods.”

3 tn The translation understands the verb to be a defective spelling of וַיְּאֱסֹף (vayyÿ’esof) due to quiescence of the letter א (alef). The root therefore is אסף (’sf, “to gather”). The Masoretes, however, pointed the verb as וַיֹּסֶף (vayyosef), understanding it to be a form of יָסַף (yasaf, “to add”). This does not fit the context, which calls for a verb of gathering.

4 tn Or “chosen.”

5 tn Heb “the heart of the men of Israel is with Absalom.”

6 tn Heb “and all the people, the men of Israel.”

7 map For location see Map5-B1; Map6-F3; Map7-E2; Map8-F2; Map10-B3; JP1-F4; JP2-F4; JP3-F4; JP4-F4.