2 SAMUEL CHAPTER 3 The war between the house of David and the house of Saul. Six sons born to David in Hebron, 2 SAMUEL 3:1. Abner, displeased with Ish-bosheth, 2 SAMUEL 3:6, revolteth to David, who requireth of him that he bring with him Michal, which he does, and communes with the elders of Israel... [ Continue Reading ]
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CHILEAB, called also _Daniel_, 1 CHRONICLES 3:1. GESHUR; a part of Syria, northward from the land of Israel, DEUTERONOMY 3:14 JOSHUA 12:5. See 2 SAMUEL 13:37, 2 SAMUEL 14:23 15:8. Her he married, as it may seem, in policy, that he might have a powerful friend and ally to assist him against Ish-boshe... [ Continue Reading ]
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DAVID'S WIFE: this is added, either because she was of obscure parentage, and was known by no other title but her relation to David; or to distinguish her from some other person of that name, who possibly might be of no good fame; or because this was his first and most proper wife, best known by her... [ Continue Reading ]
He used all his endeavours to support Saul's house; which is mentioned, to show the reason of his deep resentment of the following aspersion. Or, he strengthened himself in the house of Saul, i.e. he so managed all affairs, as to get all the riches and power into his own hands; which made Ish-boshet... [ Continue Reading ]
Either, first, To satisfy thy own lust. Or rather, secondly, By that pretence to take away my crown first; for this was that which stirred up his jealousy and rage, and caused him to speak that to Abner which otherwise he neither would nor durst. But whether Abner were guilty or no, it is not eviden... [ Continue Reading ]
A DOG'S HEAD, i.e. a vile and contemptible creature, as a dog was. See DEUTERONOMY 23:18 1 SAMUEL 24:14 2 SAMUEL 9:8, 2 SAMUEL 16:9 JOB 30:1 ECCLESIASTES 9:4. And a _dog's head_ is put for a _dog_ by a synecdoche, usual both in the Hebrew and in other languages, as the _head_ is oft put for the whol... [ Continue Reading ]
Whence it appears that this wicked wretch did all this while fight against his own knowledge and conscience, and against God himself.... [ Continue Reading ]
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HE COULD NOT ANSWER ABNER, because he durst not provoke Abner further, lest he should really execute what he supposed as yet he only threatened. Because he feared him, as having a greater interest in, and power with, both the army and the rest of the people, than himself had.... [ Continue Reading ]
MESSENGERS ON HIS BEHALF; who in his name and stead might treat with David concerning his reconciliation with him. Thus God overrules the lusts and passions of wicked men, to accomplish his own wise and holy purposes. And who then dare contend with that God who makes even his enemies to do his work,... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL MAKE A LEAGUE WITH THEE, to wit, upon thy terms; which, all circumstances considered, seems to be lawful, to prevent the great effusion of Israelitish blood, which otherwise would certainly have been split. And although the principle of this action of Abner's was base and wicked, yet the acti... [ Continue Reading ]
ISH-BOSHETH S consent was necessary, both to take her away from her present husband, and to persuade her to return to David. Hereby David opened to him also a door of hope for his reconciliation, lest being desperate he should hinder Abner in his present design. MY WIFE MICHAL; who, though she was t... [ Continue Reading ]
For, being forsaken by Abner, he durst not deny David, into whose power he saw he must unavoidedly come; and besides he supposed that she might be an effectual instrument to make his peace with David.... [ Continue Reading ]
BAHURIM; a city of Benjamin, upon the borders of Judah. See 2 SAMUEL 19:16 1 KINGS 2:8.... [ Continue Reading ]
Even in Saul's time you highly honoured him, and prized his conduct, and wished that the power were in his hands; and great numbers of you went to him when he was in the hold, 1CH 12. And after Saul's death you would gladly have advanced him to the crown, if your respect to Saul's family, together w... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW THEN DO IT; you shall have my free consent and utmost assistance in procuring it. THE LORD HATH SPOKEN OF DAVID; he wickedly pretends religion, when he intended nothing but the satisfaction of his own pride, and malice, and fury against Ish-bosheth. It is very probable God spake these words, but... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE EARS OF BENJAMIN; to these he particularly and applies himself. because they might be thought most kind to Saul his house, and most loth to let the kingdom go out of their own tribe; and therefore it was necessary that he should use all his art and power with them, to persuade them to a compl... [ Continue Reading ]
Which in those times was customary when persons entered into covenant. See GENESIS 26:30, GENESIS 31:44,46.... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL ISRAEL, i.e. the elders and chieftains of all Israel, representing and ruling all the rest.... [ Continue Reading ]
A TROOP of robbers, either Philistines, or Edomites, or some others, who taking advantage of the discord between the houses of Saul and David, made inroads into Judah, as they had occasion.... [ Continue Reading ]
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WHAT HAST THOU DONE? thou hast committed a great oversight, to dismiss so dangerous and mischievous a person when he was in thy hands.... [ Continue Reading ]
To search out thy counsels and secret designs, and to make use of them against thee.... [ Continue Reading ]
HE SENT MESSENGERS AFTER ABNER, in the king's name, and upon pretence of some further communication with him.... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE GATE; in the entrance into the city before he came to the king; and in the place where conferences used to be. QUIETLY; with appearance of great civility and kindness. Or, _secretly_, as having some matter of great importance to utter, which none but himself must hear. SMOTE HIM THERE UNDER T... [ Continue Reading ]
David said publicly, before his courtiers and people; and seriously, as in God's presence; I call the Lord to witness, that this was not done by my instigation or authority, or by any public counsel, but only by Joab's malice; and therefore I trust that God will not punish me nor my kingdom, but Joa... [ Continue Reading ]
LET IT REST, i.e. this blood, the guilt and punishment of it. AND ON ALL HIS FATHER'S HOUSE. But children were not to suffer for their parent's sin, DEUTERONOMY 24:16; and therefore either this was only a prediction; or, if it were an imprecation, David may seem to have transgressed his bounds, and... [ Continue Reading ]
JOAB AND ABISHAI; for though Joab only committed the murder, yet Abishai was guilty of it, because it was done with his consent, and counsel, and help, and approbation; for by these and such-like actions men are involved in the guilt of other men's sins, at least in God's judgment. Abner slew Asahel... [ Continue Reading ]
DAVID SAID TO JOAB; him he especially obliged to it; partly to bring him to repentance for his sin; partly to expose him to public shame, and to the contempt and hatred of all the people, with whom he had too great an interest, which hereby David designed to diminish. MOURN BEFORE ABNER, i.e. attend... [ Continue Reading ]
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i. e. As a wicked man; for such are oft called FOOLS in Scripture. Was he cut off by the hands of justice for his crimes? Nothing less; but by Joab's malice and treachery. Or did he die by his own folly, because he had not wisdom or courage to defend himself? Ah, no. The words may be thus rendered:... [ Continue Reading ]
THY HANDS WERE NOT BOUND, NOR THY FEET PUT INTO FETTERS; thou didst not tamely yield up thyself to Joab, as his prisoner, to be bound hand and foot, at his pleasure. Joab did not overcome thee generously and honourably in an equal combat, nor durst he attempt thee in that way, as a general or soldie... [ Continue Reading ]
TO EAT MEAT; to refresh and cheer up his depressed spirits, as they used to do at funerals. See JEREMIAH 16:5 EZEKIEL 24:17. TILL THE SUN BE DOWN, i.e. till evening; for then fasting days ended of course.... [ Continue Reading ]
TOOK NOTICE OF IT; observed what the king said and did. It pleased them; they were satisfied concerning David's integrity, and the method he used here for his own just vindication. WHATSOEVER THE KING DID; either in this matter; or rather, in all things following this action. The meaning is, by his... [ Continue Reading ]
Not done by his design or good will.... [ Continue Reading ]
A GREAT MAN, both for his illustrious quality, and for his high courage and wise conduct; and especially now for his great usefulness and serviceableness to me in giving me the entire and peaceable possession of all Israel. But still observe David's prudence and piety, that he doth not commend him f... [ Continue Reading ]
WEAK, or _tender_, in the infancy of my kingdom, not well rooted and settled in it. The metaphor is taken from a young and tender child or plant. THE SONS OF ZERUIAH; Joab and Abishai, the sons of my sister Zeruiah. TO HARD FOR ME, i.e. two powerful. They have so great a command over all the soldier... [ Continue Reading ]