2 Samuel 20:26

“And Ira also the Jairite, etc.] Which some take to be the same with Ira the Ithrite, (<102338>2 Samuel 23:38); a son of Jether or Ithra the Israelite, (<101725>2 Samuel 17:25); though others suppose he was Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, (<102326>2 Samuel 23:26); and so the Targum here calls him Ira the Jairite, which was of Tekoah; and Tekoah being the chief place in Israel for oil olive f347, with which the lamps were lighted, Jarchi thinks he had the name of Jairite from Jair, which signifies to enlighten; but rather he was a descendant from Jair the Gileadite, and perhaps was a great friend to David when in Gilead, and from whence he brought him and promoted him: for he was a chief…”

“Ira the Jairite - Not mentioned before: perhaps the same as “Ira an Ithrite” (marginal reference), i. e., an inhabitant of Jattir in the hill country of Judah Joshua 15:48; 1 Samuel 30:27. Perhaps we ought to read “Ithrite,” for “Jairite.” A chief ruler ... about David - More simply and clearly, “was David’s kohen” (2 Samuel 8:18 note). In the early part oph David’s reign his own ons were כהן kôhên (chief rulers). The deaths of Amnon and Absalom, and the dissensions in the family, had probably caused the change of policy in this respect. return to 'Top of Page' Footnotes: Copyright Statement These files are public domain. Bibliographical Information Barnes, Albert. "Commentary on 2 Samuel…”

“20:26 David’s personal priest was probably not a Levite but rather a special class of religious servant appointed for his royal court (see study note on 8:18)”

“Ira: Sa2 23:38; Ch1 11:40, Ithrite Jairite: Jdg 10:4, Jdg 10:5 chief ruler: or, prince, Sa2 8:18; Gen 41:43, Gen 41:45; Exo 2:14, Exo 2:16; The Hebrew is cohen ledawid, which might be rendered, a priest of David; and so the Septuagint, Vulgate, Syriac, and Arabic. The Chaldee has rav, a chief or prince. Probably he was a kind of domestic chaplain or seer to the king. Sa2 24:11; Ch2 35:15 Next: 2 Kings (2 Samuel) Chapter 21”