What is the meaning of "Al Yado"?
Rashi: To him. He stood, and they passed. Malbim - he told each one whether or not to go with him.
Radak: It is in front of him, like it says "Al Pnei Melech" (at the end of our verse).
What are "v'Chol ha'Kreisi v'Chol ha'Pleisi"?
Brachos 4a: It is the Urim v'Tumim. 1
Mahari Kara (Melachim I, 1:38): They are Giborim from Eretz Keresim; Peletim are residents of Chevel Yam Pelishtim - "Hoy Yoshvei Chevel ha'Yam Goy Keresim" (Tzefanyah 2:5).
Radak citing Targum Yonasan: All the archers and slingshot shooters.
Radak: These were known families. 2
Malbim: The Kreisi are David's Giborim.
Radak: This is difficult. Why does it say "v'Chol"? (Also, the Urim v'Tumim should be mentioned next to the Kohen Gadol! And below (20:7) it says that also ha'Kreisi veha'Pleisi chased after Sheva ben Bichri, and it does not mention any Kohen! These are not difficult if the Gemara merely expounds an additional Perush of the words. - PF)
Radak (8:18): These families were obedient to the king, and constantly saw him.
Who were the Gitim?
Radak: They 1 say that they were Nochrim, and also Itai ha'Giti was a Nochri.
Radak: I say that they were Jews who lived in Gas, and now they came to help David.
Otzar ha'Midrash Eisenstein, Yisbarach p.251 says so; Avodah Zarah 44a says that Itai was a Nochri.
What is the meaning of "b'Raglo"?
Radak: It is for the sake of him, like "va'Yevarech Hashem Oscha l'Ragli" (Bereishis 30:30) - due to me. Malbim - they wanted to be among David's army; Itai ha'Giti was appointed over them.
Radak based on Targum Yonasan: It is with him, i.e. with Itai ha'Giti. Even though he is not mentioned [until the coming verse], it is know that he led them. Also verse 22 says "Itai ha'Giti and all his men."
