Then David said unto the messenger, Thus shalt thou say unto Joab, Let not this thing displease thee, for the sword devoureth one as well as another: make thy battle more strong against the city, and overthrow it: and encourage thou him.
Ver. 25. Let not this thing displease thee.] Thus he smootheth up Joab, slights the slaughter of so many gallant men, and deeply dissembleth with the messenger, to the intent that neither his cruel command, nor Joab's fawning obedience, may be discovered. But was this David? O quantum mutatus!
For the sword devoureth one as well as another.] Heb., So and such; lords and losels lowlies together. Mars est αλλοπροσαλλος : down they go pell-mell, without difference.