2 Samuel 20:26

26 And Ira, a descendant of Jair, was a priest to David.

2 Samuel 20:26 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 20:26

And Ira also the Jairite
Which some take to be the same with Ira the Ithrite, ( 2 Samuel 23:38 ) ; a son of Jether or Ithra the Israelite, ( 2 Samuel 17:25 ) ; though others suppose he was Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, ( 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 F4, 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 ruler about David;
a prime minister, an intimate friend, the chief of his privy council; perhaps he succeeded Ahithophel; it is much we hear nothing of Hushai.


FOOTNOTES:

F4 Misn. Menachot, c. 8. sect. 3.

2 Samuel 20:26 In-Context

24 Adoram was in charge of forced labor. Jehoshaphat, son of Ahilud, was the royal historian.
25 Sheva was the royal scribe. Zadok and Abiathar were priests.
26 And Ira, a descendant of Jair, was a priest to David.
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