2 Samuel 20

Chap. XX. Ver. 1—26. The insurrection of Sheba, which is suppressed by Joab and Abishai; and Joab’s treacherous murder of Amasa.—A jealousy now arises between Judah and Israel, on the ground that the other tribes had not been formally consulted; and one Sheba, a Benjamite, and a man of Belial, takes advantage of this to raise an insurrection. David, a perfect picture of grief in consequence, sends Amasa (to whom he had promised the chief command) to collect together the men of Judah within three days, in order to subdue the rebel. Some unknown circumstance, however, detaining Amasa beyond his time, and the rebels rapidly increasing, the king commissions Abishai and Joab to take his faithful body guards, and go in pursuit of them, and meeting Joab, that treacherous man, being actuated by jealousy, in the very act of salutation, stabs him, as he had one others, in the groin, so that his bowels fell out; and he left him dead on the road, while, with his brother Abishai, he went after Sheba.

This man’s head being given up by the people of the town in which he had taken refuge, Joab sounded a retreat, and the insurrection was at an end. This event was effected through the advice and influence of another wise woman, (like the widow of Tekoah,) who, by her judicious policy, at the expense of one life only, put an end to the insurrection, and restored peace to Israel. Indeed, that policy may generally be pronounced wise and judicious, that the three great scourges of mankind, the others being pestilence and famine. Chap. XX. Ver. 1—51. David’s thanksgiving.—It is probable that this song of praise was composed early in the reign of David, and soon after he was finally delivered from the persecuting rage of Saul.

Perhaps it stands in this place, as it was found among those compositions, which David used in his private devotions: and in the book of Psalms, as it was

Notes on the verses

Chap. XX. Ver. 1. Every man the 1 tribe, not to the camp of David. Sheba, being a Benjamite, it is probable was also of Saul’s family, which gave some colour to his attempt. Ver. 2. Every man of Israel.—This is a remarkable instance of the vague manner in which the terms all and every are sometimes used in Scripture; it is very evident by the sequel, that here it can only mean many, for the insurrection appears far less formidable than that of Absalom. Ver. 3. So they were shut up, &c.—{The confinement, and seclusion of these women was the only measure which, in reason and prudence, could be adopted. In China, when an emperor dies, all his women are removed to an edifice called the palace of chastity, situated within the palace, in which they are shut up for the remainder of their lives.

Macartney.}—B. and be buried by the grave of my father and my his son Chimham to his kind offices. ] to his tents.—That is, to the tent of his own tribe, and retired maintenance. Ver. 8. It (his sword) fell out.—So Herodotus mentions of Cambyses that his sword fell out of his girdle, and wounded him in the thigh. But, considering Joab’s treacherous character, it is certainly very possible that this was not merely accidental. Ver. 9. By the beard.—| Thevenot says, that among the Turks it is a great affront to take one by the beard, unless it be to kiss him, in which case they often do it. D’Arvieux, describing an assembly of Arab emirs at an entertainment, says, “After the usual civilities, caresses, kissings of the beard and of the hand, which every one gave and received according to his rank and dignity, they sat down upon mats.”

The doing this by the Arab emirs corresponds with the conduct of Joab, and illustrates this horrid assassination. ]— Ver. 10. In the fifth rib.—See note on (2 Samuel 2:23). The LXX. here render it “the groin.” Ver. 12. Every one…. stood still—The army themselves were so shocked at this instance of treachery, that they could not be got on till the melancholy spectacle was removed. Ver. 14. Unto Abel.—[Or rather, probably, Abel of Beth-Maachah, as in the next verse. It appears, from Joab having marched “through all the tribes of Israel,” to have been situated in the northern confines of the land of Israel: and in the half tribe of Manasseh, east of Jordan, as that was the situation of Maachah, to which it belonged.

This agrees with the situation of the Abel, which Eusebius and Jerome place between Paneas, or Cesarea Philippi, and Damascus. Josephus says it was a fortified city, and a metropolis of the Is-raelites; and also that it belonged to the ten tribes, having been taken from the king of Damascus. |—Bagster. Ver. 15. Cast up a bank.—It was customary to raise such embankments to support their battering engines, in the ancient art of war.—It stood in the trench.—Perhaps it was surrounded by it; or, as the margin reads, These banks were raised to a sufficient height to batter the wall. Ver. 18. Ask counsel at Abel.—That is, this place was formerly so famed for the wisdom and prudence of its inhabitants, that all Israel used to consult them in difficult cases; and therefore Joab need not disdain to listen to them.

But the margin reads, ‘‘They plainly spake in the beginning, (i. e. in former times,) saying, Surely they will ask of Abel;” i. e. ask them whether they are willing to make peace, according to (Deuteronomy 20:11). before any attack. So no any attempt to explain it; but this appears to us forced and unnatural. See Ver. 19. A mother in Israel.—That is, the metropolis of a district. See note on ver. 14. above.