1883 Haydock Douay Rheims Bible

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I Chronicles 20:3 And the people that were therein he brought out: and made harrows, and sleads, and chariots of iron, to go over them, so that they were cut and bruised to pieces. In this manner David dealt with all the cities of the children of Ammon: and he returned with all his people to Jerusalem.

Harrows. Hebrew, "cut them with saws, and with harrows; (Haydock) or, rollers of iron, and with saws." But some other term was probably used, as we find saws before. (Calmet) --- Protestants have "axes." This exemplary punishment was in consequence of the violation of the law of nations. Abulensis pronounced it lawful. Tirinus accuses David of a grievous sin of cruelty; observing that he was at this time involved in the sin of adultery: and people easily fall from one abyss into another. Cruelty and lust often go together. Yet it seems best to suspend our judgment. (Haydock) --- David might only treat the most guilty in this manner. (Du Hamel)