20:1 the time when kings go out Military campaigns typically were waged during the spring, because the weather was good and provisions were plentiful.

David remained in Jerusalem An allusion to David’s affair with Bathsheba, which occurred while his army was besieging Rabbah (2 Sam 11:2–12:23).

20:2 David took the crown of When Joab was close to taking Rabbah, he sent for David to join the battle (2 Sam 12:27–29).

Battles of Saul and David Table

a talent of gold About 75 pounds (34 kilograms).

20:4 with the Philistines See note on 1 Sam 4:1.

Philistines

the descendants of the Rephaim The Hebrew text describes Sippai as belonging to the Rephaim, a term sometimes translated as “giants” (see note on Deut 3:11).

Giant Clans in the Old Testament

20:5 the brother of Goliath The account in Samuel says that Elhanan killed Goliath himself (see 2 Sam 21:19 and note), conflicting with the account of young David killing Goliath (1 Sam 17).

like a weaver’s beam This description is used of Goliath’s spear, as well as the spear of an Egyptian killed by another of David’s mighty men. See 1 Sam 17:7 and note.

20:6 and he had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, twenty-four in all See 2 Sam 21:20 and note.

was also a descendant of the Rephaim See note on 1 Chron 20:4.

20:7 son of Shimea See note on 2 Sam 21:21.