Why does it say "b'Gas Al Tagidu"?
Rashi: Lest the Pelishtim rejoice over us (our afflictions).
Radak: This is a lamentation. They already knew in Gas and in the cities of the Pelishtim! Rather, it is a lamentation, like David lamented over Sha'ul and Yehonason "Al Tagidu v'Gas Al Tevaseru b'Chutzos Ashkelon Pen Tismachnah Bnos Pelishtim Pen Ta'aloznah Bnos ha'Arelim" (Shmuel II, 1:20). They killed Yisrael in the war! Rather, it is a lamentation.
Malbim: After saying to make a eulogy like Tanim, he retracts and says to be quiet, lest they tell in Gas. Uziyah took Gas from the Pelishtim, and it was in Yehudah's hand. Pelishtim were waiting to take it back. If you will cry there, they will know and overpower.
Why should they not cry?
Radak: If they will see you crying, they will rejoice over this.
Malbim: Refer to 1:10:1:3.
What is "b'Veis l'Afrah"?
Rashi: It is "Afras Avi ha'Ezri" (Shoftim 6:24; it is where the angel appeared to Gid'on).
Radak: It is due to the houses that became earth ? now they are desolate. The Lamed is due to Batei ha'Chatzerim, which were outside the city 1 . It says Bayis as a Klal, in place of Batim, just like "Lo Seshev Ishah Li b'Veis David? Ki Kodesh Hemah" (Divrei ha'Yamim II, 8:11).
I do not understand how the Lamed hints to them. (PF)
Why does it mention these places? All of Eretz Yisrael was destroyed!
Radak: The names of these places have a similarity to the action; it makes the lamentation more eloquent.
Malbim: Do not cry in Gas, lest Pelishtim hear (refer to 1:10:1:3). You may mourn normally in Veis l'Afrah of Binyamin ? it is far from Pelishtim.
Why does it say "Afar Hispalashi"?
Rashi: Iy uses an expression similar to the name of the city (Afrah). The same applies to the coming verse, "Yosheves Shafir Eryah Voshes Lo Yatz'ah Yosheves Tza'anan" (refer to 1:11:3:1).
Radak #1: Perhaps this is truly Afar (earth).
Radak #2: It is Efer (ashes), which is also called Afar ? "me'Afar Sereifas ha'Chatas" (Bamidbar 19:17). It says "Bas Ami Chigri Sak v'Hispalashi va'Efer" (Yirmeyah 6:26). This is a way of mourning ? "Yoshev b'Soch ha'Efer" (Iyov 2:8). Yonason translates 'cover your heads with ashes.'
It is written Hispalashti, and we pronounce it Hispalashi!
Radak: The Kesiv is the Navi's words [about himself; I rolled], like it says "Espedah v'Eililah" (8).
