CHAPTER III _Account of the children born to David in Hebron_, 1-5. _Abner being accused by Ish-bosheth of familiarities with_ _Rizpah, Saul's concubine, he is enraged; offers his services_ _to David; goes to Hebron, and makes a league with him_, 6-22. _Joab, through enmity to Abner, pretends t... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 3:6. _ABNER MADE HIMSELF STRONG_] This strengthening of himself, and going in to the late king's concubine, were most evident proofs that he wished to seize upon the government. See 1 Kings 2:21-11; 1 Kings 12:8; 1 Kings 16:21.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 3:8. AM _I A DOG'S HEAD_] Dost thou treat a man with indignity who has been the only prop of thy tottering kingdom, and the only person who could make head against the house of David?... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 3:9. _EXCEPT, AS THE LORD HATH SWORN TO DAVID_] And why did he not do this before, when he knew that God had given the kingdom to David? Was he not now, according to his own concession, fighting against God?... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 3:11. _HE COULD NOT ANSWER ABNER A WORD_] Miserable is the lot of a king who is governed by the general of his army, who may strip him of his power and dignity whenever he pleases! Witness the fate of poor Charles I. of England and Louis XVI. of France. Military men, above all others,... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 3:13. _EXCEPT THOU FIRST BRING MICHAL_] David had already _six_ _wives_ at Hebron; and none of them could have such pretensions to _legitimacy_ as Michal, who had been taken away from him and married to Phaltiel. However distressing it was to take her from a husband who loved her most... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 3:14. _DELIVER_ ME _MY WIFE_] It is supposed that he meant to screen Abner; and to prevent that _violence_ which he might have used in carrying off Michal.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 3:16. _WEEPING BEHIND HER_] If genuine affection did not still subsist between David and Michal, it was a pity to have taken her from Phaltiel, who had her to wife from the conjoint authority of her _father_ and her _king_. Nevertheless David had a legal right to her, as she had neve... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 3:18. _THE LORD HATH SPOKEN OF DAVID_] Where is this spoken? Such a promise is not extant. Perhaps it means no more than, "Thus, it may be presumed, God hath determined.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 3:21. _HE WENT IN PEACE._] David dismissed him in good faith, having no sinister design in reference to him.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 3:27. _AND SMOTE HIM THERE_] Joab feared that, after having rendered such essential services to David, Abner would be made captain of the host: he therefore determined to prevent it by murdering the man, under pretense of avenging the death of his brother Asahel. The murder, however,... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 3:29. _LET IT REST ON THE HEAD_] All these verbs may be rendered in the _future_ tense: it _will_ rest on the head of Joab, c. This was a prophetic declaration, which sufficiently showed the displeasure of God against this execrable man.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 3:31. _DAVID SAID TO JOAB_] He commanded him to take on him the part of a principal mourner.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 3:33. _THE KING LAMENTED OVER ABNER_] This lamentation, though short, is very pathetic. It is a high strain of poetry; but the _measure_ cannot be easily ascertained. Our own translation may be measured thus: - Died Abner as a fool dieth? Thy hands were not bound, Nor thy feet put... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 3:36. _THE PEOPLE TOOK NOTICE_] They saw that the king's grief was sincere, and that he had no part nor device in the murder of Abner: see 2 Samuel 3:37.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 3:39. _I_ AM _THIS DAY WEAK_] Had Abner lived, all the tribes of Israel would have been brought under my government. _THOUGH ANOINTED KING_] I have little else than the title: _first_, having only one tribe under my government; and _secondly_, the sons of Zeruiah, Joab and his brethr... [ Continue Reading ]