20:8 the great stone. This was possibly a well-known landmark, on the order of those mentioned elsewhere in Samuel (15:17; 1 Sam. 19:22; 20:19). The large stone may have been an altar (cf. 1 Sam. 14:33, 34), and some have suggested a link with the “great high place” in Gibeon (1 Kin. 3:4).

Gibeon. See note 2:12.

it fell out. Whether the sword fell to the ground, or into the folds of Joab’s tunic (possibly girded up for marching), is not stated. See note on v. 10.