And he brought forth the people that [were] therein, and put [them] under saws, and under harrows of iron, and under axes of iron, and made them pass through the brickkiln: and thus did he unto all the cities of the children of Ammon. So David and all the people returned unto Jerusalem.
Ver. 31. And he brought forth the people that were therein.] The ring leaders especially, who had been chief in abusing David's messengers. The Corinthians abused certain Roman ambassadors, and were therefore burnt to the ground by L. Mummius: a for irasci populo Romano nemo sapienter possit, saith Livy. No wise man will wrong the people of Rome: much less the people of God: and least of all the ambassadors of Christ. Hath any one ever waxed fierce against him and prospered? Job 9:4 I think not.
And put them under saws, and under harrows of iron.] This was a kind of most terrible torture, Amo 1:3 Heb 11:37 when
"Tribulaeque, trahaeque et iniquo pondere rastri," - Virg. Georg. i.
saws, harrows, axes were used in this sort, for punishment of offenders. Whether David did not herein overdo, the doctors are divided. Certain it is, that what miseries soever impenitent sinners suffer here, they are but a typical hell, a praeludium to the wrath to come, a beginning of sorrows, a foretaste of torments without end and past imagination.
And made them pass through the brickkiln.] Per fornacem Moleci, through Molech's furnace; where they made their children to pass through the fire, as Junius judgeth.
a Cic. pro lege Manil.