Rabbi Elchanan Lewis
Question
-- There is an evident contradiction between Shmuel Bet 8:4 and Hayamim Aleph 18:4 as to the number of horsemen. 2 Sam 8:4 And David captured from him, one thousand and seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen; and David hamstrung all the chariots [horses] and left over of them for a hundred chariots. 1 Chron. 18:4 And David captured from him a thousand chariots and seven thousand horsemen and twenty thousand footmen; and David hamstrung all the chariot [horses] and left over of them a hundred chariots. The ArtScroll commentary on Chronicles cites Radak who says simply that “the two accounts complement one another and that these two perspectives form the respective views which Samuel and Chronicles make of the events recorded here.” Are there any other views of the Meforshim?
Answer
The Metsudat David on chronicles explains that is Shmuel 2 it only mentions the important ones which explains the lesser number there.
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