“mule.” See commentary on 2 Samuel 13:29.

“Gihon.” That is, the Gihon Spring, which was on the eastern side of the city, and it would have been surrounded by a large and well-fortified gate area. Also, this was only about 650 yards from En-rogel, which is on the southeast end of the city where Adonijah was proclaiming himself king. The two opposing groups could quite easily hear each other.