Here is an account of the state of David's court after his restoration. Joab retained the office of general, being too great to be displaced. Benaiah, as before, was captain of the guards. Here is one new office erected, which we had not (Sa2 8:16-18), that of treasurer, or one over the tribute, for it was not till towards the latter end of his time that David began to raise taxes. Adoram was long in this office, but it cost him his life at last, Kg1 12:18.

Ira - was a chief ruler about David - The Hebrew is כהן לדויד cohen ledavid, a priest to David; and so the Vulgate, Septuagint, Syriac, and Arabic. The Chaldee has רב rab, a prince, or chief. He was probably a sort of domestic chaplain to the king. We know that the kings of Judah had their seers, which is nearly the same: Gad was David's seer, Sa2 24:11, and Jeduthun was the seer of King Josiah, Ch2 35:16.

The conclusion of this chapter is very similar to the conclusion of Sa2 8:16-18 (note), where see the notes.

And Ira also the Jairite,.... Which some take to be the same with Ira the Ithrite, Sa2 23:38; a son of Jether or Ithra the Israelite, Sa2 17:25; though others suppose he was Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, Sa2 23:26; and so the Targum here calls him Ira the Jairite, which was of Tekoah; and Tekoah being the chief place in Israel for oil olive (d), with which the lamps were lighted, Jarchi thinks he had the name of Jairite from Jair, which signifies to enlighten; but rather he was a descendant from Jair the Gileadite, and perhaps was a great friend to David when in Gilead, and from whence he brought him and promoted him: for he

was a chief ruler about David; a prime minister, an intimate friend, the chief of his privy council; perhaps he succeeded Ahithophel; it is much we hear nothing of Hushai.

(d) Misn. Menachot, c. 8. sect. 3.

Next: 2 Samuel Chapter 21

DAVID'S GREAT OFFICERS. (Sa2 20:23-26)

Now Joab was over all the host of Israel--David, whatever his private wishes, found that he possessed not the power of removing Joab; so winking at the murder of Amasa, he re-established that officer in his former post of commander-in-chief. The enumeration of David's cabinet is here given to show that the government was re-established in its wonted course.

Next: 2 Samuel Chapter 21