Happened — His presence was casual in itself, though ordered by God's providence. No part — The tribe of Judah have monopolized the king to themselves, and will not allow us any share in him; let them therefore enjoy him alone, and let us seek out a new king. The son of Jesse — An expression of cont... [ Continue Reading ]
Every man — That is, the generality of those Israelites who were present.... [ Continue Reading ]
Tarried — Either, because the people being wearied out by the late war, were not forward to engage in another: or because the soldiers had more affection to Joab, than to their new general.... [ Continue Reading ]
Abishai — Not to Joab; lest by this means he should recover his place, and Amasa be discontented, and David's fidelity in making good his promise to Amasa be questioned.... [ Continue Reading ]
Joab's men — The remainders of Joab's army who were there present, with whom also Joab might go as a reformade, watching an opportunity to do what he designed.... [ Continue Reading ]
Amasa went — Having gathered some forces, and given due orders for the rest to follow him, he returned to Jerusalem, and by the king's command went after those mentioned 2 Samuel 20:7, and being come up to them at the place where they waited for him, he put himself in the head of Joab's men, and the... [ Continue Reading ]
Beard — As the manner of ancient times was, when they saluted one another.... [ Continue Reading ]
The sword — Which falling out, as it seemed, casually, he supposed that Joab intended only to put it into its scabbard, and therefore took no care to defend himself against the stroke. So Joab — Who now boldly resumed his former place, and marched in the head of the army. It is not strange, that Ama... [ Continue Reading ]
One — Left there on purpose to deliver the following message. Favoureth Joab — He that would have Joab to be general, rather than such a perfidious rebel as Amasa. For David — He that wisheth David good success against Sheba, and against all rebels.... [ Continue Reading ]
Stood still — Wondering at the spectacle, and enquiring into the author and occasion of it. Removed — Perceiving, that it both incensed them against Joab and hindered the king's service. Cast a cloth upon him — But the covering of blood with a cloth cannot stop its cry to God for vengeance.... [ Continue Reading ]
He — Sheba, who marched from tribe to tribe to stir them up to sedition. Abel — Unto Abel — beth — maachah, as this place is called here in the Hebrew text, 2 Samuel 20:15, to distinguish it from other Abels; and to signify, that this was that Abel which was in the northern border of Canaan towards... [ Continue Reading ]
They — That is, Joab and his army. A bank — From whence they might either batter the wall, or shoot at those who defended it. It stood — The bank stood in, or near to the trench, or the wall of the city; so that the city was in great danger of being taken.... [ Continue Reading ]
Then cried a wise woman — It seems none of all the men of Abel, offered to treat with Joab: no, not when they were reduced to extremity: but one wise woman saved the city. Souls know no difference of sex: many a manly heart is lodged in a female breast. Nor is the treasure of wisdom the less valuabl... [ Continue Reading ]
Ask counsel — This city which thou art about to destroy, is no mean and contemptible one, but so honourable and considerable for its wisdom, that when any differences arose among any of the neighbours, they used proverbially to say, We will ask the opinion and advice as the men of Abel about it, and... [ Continue Reading ]
A mother — Great cities are commonly called mothers; as lesser towns or villages subject to them, and depending upon them, are called their daughters. Inheritance — That is, a considerable part of, that land which God hath chosen for his particular possession. The destruction which thou art about to... [ Continue Reading ]
Ephraim — Probably mount Ephraim was a place in Benjamin so called, either because it was upon the borders of Ephraim or for some notable action or event of the Ephraimites in that place. His head — Which she undertook, because she knew the present temper of the citizens, and soldiers too. And it is... [ Continue Reading ]
Wisdom — Prudently treated with them about it, representing to them the certainty and nearness of their ruin, if they did not speedily comply with her desires, and certain deliverance if they did.... [ Continue Reading ]
Over all the host — The good success of this, and of the former expedition, under the conduct of Joab, had so fixed his interest in the army, and others of David's fastest friends, that the king could not without danger displace him.... [ Continue Reading ]