All the congregation of Israel. — As represented by the Council of Chiefs, who, according to the passage in Samuel, were 30,000 iıı number.
And that it be. — Rather, and if it be. The clause is not dependent. David says: “If before you (the thing be) good, and if (the motion come) from Jehovah.” The former phrase recurs in Nehemiah 2:5; Nehemiah 2:7, and is late Hebrew; the latter is illustrated by Genesis 24:50.
Let us send abroad. — Literally, break we forth, send we, i.e., let us send with all despatch.
Everywhere. — Not in the Hebrew.
Land. — Hebrew, lands or territories, i.e., of the various tribes. Comp. Genesis 26:3-4, where the same plural implies the partition of Canaan into many smaller national domains.
In their cities and Suburbs. — In the cities of their pastures. The Levites appear to have occupied themselves with pastoral pursuits when not engaged in the services of religion (comp. 1 Chronicles 6:57 seq.).
That they may gather themselves unto us. — The result would be a great addition to an already large gathering. However, it does not follow that every one to whom the summons came would be willing or able to obey it. The invitation was, in fact, a kind of formal proclamation to the entire people of a solemn act of national importance.