Teks -- 2 Samuel 18:24 (NET)

18:24 Now David was sitting between the inner and outer gates, and the watchman went up to the roof over the gate at the wall. When he looked, he saw a man running by himself.

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per frasa)

Wesley: 2Sa 18:24 - Gates

For the gates of the cities then were, as now they are, large and thick; and for the greater security, had two gates, one more outward, the other inward. Here he sat, that he might hear tidings when any came into the city.

JFB: 2Sa 18:24-32 - David sat between the two gates

That is, in the tower-house on the wall that overhung the gate of Mahanaim. Near it was a watchtower, on which a sentinel was posted, as in times of war, to notify every occurrence. The delicacy of Ahimaaz' communication was made up by the unmistakable plainness of Cushi's. The death of Absalom was a heavy trial, and it is impossible not to sympathize with the outburst of feeling by which David showed that all thoughts of the victory he had won as a king were completely sunk in the painful loss he had sustained as a father. The extraordinary ardor and strength of his affection for this worthless son break out in the redundancy and vehemence of his mournful ejaculations.

Clarke: 2Sa 18:24 - David sat between the two gates

David sat between the two gates - He was probably in the seat of justice. Before the gate of the city it is supposed there was an enclosure, which had its gate also; David sat in the space between these two doors. Over the larger gate there appears to have been a turret, on which a sentinel or watchman stood continually, and gave information of what he saw in the country.

TSK: 2Sa 18:24 - between // the watchman

between : 2Sa 18:4; 1Sa 4:13

the watchman : 2Ki 9:17-20; Isa 21:6-9, Isa 21:11, Isa 21:12; Eze 33:2-7

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per Ayat)

Poole: 2Sa 18:24 - Between the two gates // Unto the wall

Between the two gates for the gates of the cities then were, as now they are, large and thick; and, for the greater security, had two gates, one more outward, the other inward. Here he sat, that he might hear tidings when any came into the city.

Unto the wall unto the top of the wall or tower upon the gate, where watchmen used to watch. Compare 2Ki 9:17 Eze 33:2 .

Haydock: 2Sa 18:24 - Two gates

Two gates, one leading into the town, the other into the country. In the middle was a chamber for public meetings, and another above, Job xxix. 7. On the roof a guard was stationed on this occasion.

Gill: 2Sa 18:24 - And David sat between the two gates // and the watchman went up to the roof over the gate unto the wall // and lifted up his eyes and looked // and, behold, a man running alone

And David sat between the two gates,.... Of the city of Mahanaim; which being a fortified place had two walls, one within another, and in each wall a gate; and between these David sat, waiting for news of the battle:

and the watchman went up to the roof over the gate unto the wall; the gate to the outward wall, over which was a tower, and on that a flat roof; to which the watchman went to observe if he could see an express coming; no doubt by David's orders:

and lifted up his eyes and looked; that is, very diligently and wistfully:

and, behold, a man running alone: which made him the more observable, and was the more likely to be a messenger.