2 Samuel 3
DOYLY2 Samuel 3:2
- — of the children of Benjamin:] It is specially mentioned that Rechab and Baanah were Benjamites, because, being of the same tribe with Saul, they had stronger ties upon them to be honest and faithful to his family. It is thus shewn more fully how vile and ungrateful they were, and how justly they deserved the severe but exemplary punishment which David inflicted on them. Stackhouse.
— for Beeroth also &c.] Though this place was now in the hands of the Philistines, yet it belonged to the tribe of Benjamin, Joab. xviii. 25. Bp. Patrick.
- — thou shalt feed my people Israel.] This expression seems rather made use of, to put David in mind that he was created a king, not so much for the advancement of his own honour and interest, as for the good and benefit of the community, which he was to rule with all tenderness, and watch over with all diligence. The very manner of the expression implies, that kings ought to have the same care of their people, as the shepherd has of his flock; and that, as the shepherd is not the owner of the sheep he keeps, so should a king consider his subjects as a flock committed to his care by the only true Lord of mankind, to whom he must give an account of his administration. Stackhouse.
This is the first time that we meet with any description of a ruler or governour of a people characterized under the idea of a shepherd; and it is remarkable, that the first person so characterized was at first in fact a shepherd. How fine an instruction does this expression convey to princes, that they are not, in the intention of Providence, the tyrants, but the guardians of their people; and that their business is the preservation and well being of their flock, from the duty which they owe to the great Lord and Owner of both! Dr. Delaney.
2 Samuel 3:5
- — who lay on a bed at noon.] As the custom was and still continues to be, in all hot climates. Dr. Chandler.
2 Samuel 3:6
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— as though they would have fetched wheat:] In the Hebrew, “carrying wheat:” which they either brought into the king’s granaries for the use of his household; or carried forth for the supply of the soldiers, who were maintained at the king’s charge. Bp. Patrick.
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— Except thou take away the blind and the lame.] This is said by way of scorn and contempt: they imagined their fortress to be so impregnable, that they told him the blind and the lame were able to defend it against him and all his forces. Bp. Patrick, Drs. Wells and Chandler.
2 Samuel 3:7
- — through the plain] The flat country between Mahanaim and Hebron. a Chap. I. 16. in his own ages as a bringer, &c. ¶ Or, which was the reward I gave him for his tidings. David anointed king of Israel. He taketh Zion from the Jebusites. your hand, and take you away from the earth?
2 Samuel 3:8
- — Whosoever getteth up &c.] There is some uncertainty as to the construction of this sentence. The words, “he shall be chief and captain,” are supplied in our translation from the account of the same event at 1 Chron. xi. 6. the words of the original Hebrew, when taken in their order, admit of the following sense: “He that smiteth the Jebusites, let him throw down into the ditch both the blind and the lame, which David
c Chap. 2. 11. Or, saying, David shall act, &c.
2 Samuel 3:12
- And David commanded his young men, &c.] The behaviour of David on this occasion is well worthy of attention. It is a proof of his virtue and integrity, and of his detestation and abhorrence of treachery and cruelty, when, instead of approving and rewarding those who had killed their king Ish-bosheth, as they expected, he put them to death, though the death of that prince secured the kingdom to him. This teaches us in general, that we ought, not only to do no hurt to our enemies, but also that we ought in no instance to countenance injustice and vice in any degree, whatever advantage we may derive from them. Ostervald.
— cut off their hands and their feet.] It is still the custom in Turkey, when the ministers of state incur the displeasure of the people, to cut off their hands, head and feet, and throw them before the palace gate. Thus were the sons of Rimmon served for slaying Ish-bosheth. Harmer.
— hanged them up over the pool] As a publick mark of greater ignominy, and of David’s strong detestation of what they had done. Dr. Wells. David’s behaviour in this treatment of the murderers of Ish-bosheth was highly commendable, not only as it was an act of justice in itself, but as it publickly declared that he would never be served by treachery and murder, nor ever forgive such crimes, however the pretence for committing them might be for his own interest and service. The concern he expressed for the death of Ish-bosheth, especially for the manner of it, “in his own house upon his bed,” argued humanity and honour, and an utter abhorrence of villains and their crimes. Dr. Chandler.
Chap. V. ver. 1. — we are thy bone and thy flesh.] Meaning, that they were of the same blood with him, being descended from their common father, Israel; and that he was therefore qualified by the law of God, Deut. xvii. 15, to be their king. Bp. Patrick.
2 Samuel 3:18
- — The Lord hath spoken of David, &c.] Abner knew before full well that God had destined the kingdom for David; yet then he was well content to smother a known truth for his own turn: but now that the
publication of it may turn for his advantage, be wins the heart of Israel, by shewing God’s charter for him whom he had so long opposed. Hypocrites make use of God for their own purposes, and care only to make Divine authority a colour for their own designs. Bp. Hall.
2 Samuel 3:26
- — the well of Sirah.] Probably not far from Hebron: Josephus says, twenty furlongs from it.
2 Samuel 3:27
- — in the gate] As this was a public place, where men met to transact business, and the courts of justice sat, Abner suspected no danger there. Bp. Patrick.
— smote him there — that he died,] Who can but glorify God in His justice, when he sees the bitter end of this treacherous dissimulation! David might deservedly welcome a guest who undertakes to bring all Israel under allegiance to himself; but God never meant to use so unworthy means for so good a work. Joab returns from pursuing a troop; and, finding Abner dismissed in peace and expectation of beneficial return, follows him; and, whether out of envy at a
David curseth Joab, and mourneth for Abner.
Heb. loods. 28 ¶ And afterward when David heard it, he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before the LORD for ever from the † blood of Abner the son of Ner: 29 Let it rest on the head of Joab, and on all his father’s house; and let there not † fail from the house of Joab one that hath an issue, or that is a leper, or that leaneth on a staff, or that falleth on the sword, or that lacketh bread. 30 So Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had slain their brother ‘Asahel at Gibeon in the battle. 31 ¶ And David said to Joab, and to all the people that were with him, Rend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. And king David himself followed the † bier. 32 And they buried Abner in Hebron: and the king lifted up his voice, and wept at the grave of Abner; and all the people wept.
new rival of honour, or from a desire of revenging Asahel, he repays him both dissimulation and death. God does most justly by the hand of Joab, that which Joab did for himself most unjustly. Bp. Hall. This murder of Abner by Joab is allowed to be a base piece of treachery: though his pretence for this villanous action was to revenge the death of his brother Asahel, yet undoubtedly his principal reason was, his jealousy of Abner, and his fear of losing the first post under the king. Dr. Chandler. How empty and ill-founded are the purposes of vain man! Abner, who promises kingdoms, (ver. 10,) cannot secure to himself one certain hour of life. David had sent him away, and he departed in peace; but, being called back by Joab, he fell. Envy, doubtless, and jealousy of Abner’s merit with David, in gaining over the tribes to him, were the principal motives to this base action, as well as revenge for the blood of Asahel. Dr. Delaney. 29. Let it rest on the head of Joab, &c.] These, and the following words, must be looked upon rather as a prophetic prediction, than as a private imprecation; or else, as the expressions of violent passion, since he thought that the punishment for so borrid a crime could not be too severe or too lasting. Bp. Patrick. — that falleth on the sword.] That commits suicide out of some discontent or disturbance of mind. Dr. Wells. 31. — the bier.] The word here translated, “the bier,” is in the original, “the bed,” on which persons of quality were wont to be carried forth to their graves, as ordinary people were upon that which we call a bier. Kings were sometimes carried out on beds richly adorned and gilt, as Josephus tells us was the case with Herod. Bp. Patrick. 33. — Died Abner as a fool dieth?] Died he by the hands of justice for some folly or wickedness? No such matter. Dr. Wells. Or, “Died he as a worthless vile fellow dieth?” so the Hebrew word properly signifies. Dr. Chandler.
2 Samuel 3:39
- — I am this day weak, &c.] That is, he was not so established in his new kingdom, as to deem it prudent to punish Joab and Abishai, in the manner they deserved, for so base a fact. Dr. Wells.
Chap. IV. ver. 1. — his hands were feeble.] He despaired of his cause, knew that he had no strength to support his interest, and gave up all for lost. Dr. Chandler.