²⁷and over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite: and over the increase of the vineyards for the wine cellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite: =27.= _the Ramathite_] The well-known Ramah was in Benjamin, but there was also a Ramah (or Ramoth) of the South (Joshua xix. 8; 1 Samuel xxx. 27) from which the epithet “Ramathite” might be derived. _the Shiphmite_] The adjective is probably derived from “Siphmoth” (1 Samuel xxx. 28), the name of a place in the south of Judah. If so, we should read either “Siphmite” here, or “Shiphmoth” in 1 Samuel. ²⁸and over the olive trees and the sycomore trees that were in the lowland was Baal-hanan the Gederite: and over the cellars of oil was Joash: =28.= _sycomore_] The fig-mulberry, a tree having leaves like mulberry-leaves, and bearing a fruit resembling figs. Compare 2 Chronicles i. 15; Amos, vii. 14. _in the lowland_] Hebrew _Shephelah_. See note on 2 Chronicles i. 15 (“vale”). _Gederite_] i.e. inhabitant of “Geder” (Joshua xii. 13), perhaps another form of “Gederah” (Joshua xv. 36). A place in the south of Judah is intended in any case. See note on xii. 4. ²⁹and over the herds that fed in Sharon was Shitrai the Sharonite: and over the herds that were in the valleys was Shaphat the son of Adlai: =29.= _Sharon_] The great maritime plain bounded on the east by the “lowland” (Shephelah). “The valleys” would probably be the depressions among the hills of the Shephelah which open out into Sharon; compare Canticles ii. 1. ³⁰and over the camels was Obil the Ishmaelite: and over the asses was Jehdeiah the Meronothite: =30.= _Obil_] The name is a form of the Arabic word _ābil_, “one who feeds camels.” _the Meronothite_] _Meronoth_ was perhaps near Gibeon and Mizpah; compare Nehemiah iii. 7. ³¹and over the flocks was Jaziz the Hagrite. All these were the rulers of the substance which was king David’s. =31.= _Hagrite_] Compare v. 10. =32‒34= (compare xviii. 15‒17 = 2 Samuel viii. 16‒18; compare 2 Samuel xx. 23‒26). DAVID’S OFFICERS AT COURT. ³²Also Jonathan David’s uncle¹ was a counsellor, a man of understanding, and a scribe: and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni was with the king’s sons: ¹ Or, _brother’s son_.