2 Samuel 2

David at Gods command, removeth with his household and people to Hebron, vers.1,&c. Where those of Juda anoint him King over them, 4. He commendeth and comforteth the citizens of Jabes in Gilead, for burying Saul, 5. On the contrary Abner installeth Ishoseth Sauls son, King over Israel, 8. And leadeth forth his armed men against David’s men by Gibeon, 12. Where after a terrible and bloody fight of four and twenty young champions, he is put to flight by Joab, 17. Asahel pursueth him, and is thrust thorough by him, 19. Abner and Joab at length part again from another, 26. Asahel is buried, 32.

1. And it came to pass after this, that David enquired of the LORD, [See 1 Sam.23.6, 9. and 30.7, 8. and Judge.1.on v.1.] saying; shall I go up into one of the Cities of Juda? And the LORD said unto him; Go up: and David said; Whither shall I go up? and he [i.e. the LORD] said; unto Hebron. [Lying in Juda, not far from the Western mount, and allotted to the children of Aarob. See Genes.13.18. Jos.21.10, 11, 12. From whence may be gathered, that David indeed for his own person in particular dwelt and kept Court there, but that his people or souldiers abode in the next adjacent Cities and places, (as below v.3.) that the Priests and Levites, to whom this City was given by the tribe of Juda, might not be straitened in their possession.]

2. So David went up thither, as also his two wives, Ahinoam the Jizreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal [Understand, that had been Nabals wife. so 1 Sa.30.5. See 1 sam.25.39, etc. and compare below, chap.12.15.] the Carmelite.

3. David also made his men that were with him, [Understand the warlike men, that had followed him in his banishment. See 1 Sam.22.2.] go up every man with his household: and they dwelt in the Cities of Hesbron. [i.e. which lay about Hebron, and belonged there unto]

4. After that came the men of Juda; and there anointed David king over the house of Juda: [David was first by Gods appointment secretly anointed King by Samuel, 1 Sam.16.13. Here he is again anointed by his own tribe, the tribe of Juda, who undoubtedly knew the will of God. The third time he is anointed by all Israel, below chap.5.3. This all tending to the strengthening and encouraging of David, and establishing of his calling, as also typifying and shadowing out of the anointing of our LORD Jesus Christ. See 1 Kings 1.on vers.34.] Then they told David. [Who had asked or inquired, what was become of Sauls dead body, desiring to bury it, if it had not been done] saying; They are the men of Jabes in Gilead, that have buried Saul. [See 1 Sam.31, 11.12, 13.]

5. Then David sent messengers to the men of Jades in Gilead: and he said i.e. sent word] unto them; Blessed be ye unto the LORD, [See Genes.24.on v.31. Ruth.2.20. and 3.10.] that ye [Or, who] have shewed this kindnesse unto your lord, unto Saul, and have buried him.

6. So now the LORD shew kindnesse and faithfulnesse unto you: and I also, I will do this good (deed) to you, [i.e. requite, or, in this sense: as the LORD will requite it unto you, so will I also do it. Oth. according to this good (deed) or, goodnesse] because done this thing. [Or, who have, &c.]

7. And now, let your hands be strong, and be valiant [Heb. children, or, sons of valour, or, courage. See below chap.3. on vers.34.] seeing your lord Saul is dead. [As if he should say, Let not your courage abate, although your lord and King be dead] and also they of the house of Juda have anointed me King over them. [Heb. The house of Juda have, &c. So that basides the willingnesse and readinesse, I have also the power and ability to help and succour you in all occasional straits. Although David was assured of Gods purpose and counsel, yet nevertheless he useth these lawful and commendable means, by welldoing to gain the hearts of the Israelites, and to wait with considence and patience for the issue or event.]

8. Now Abner [Called also Abiner. See 1 Sam.14.50, 51.] the son of Ner, the Captain General, that Saul had, took Isboseth, [Heb. Isch-boscheth] Sauls son, and tarried him over to Mahanaim. [i.e. over the river Jordan, where Mahaniam lay, by the brook Jabbok, not far from Jabes in Gilead: See Genes.32.2. Abner seemeth to have done this, to get the Gileadites, to whom David had sent his messengers, to side against David, and to break the friendship and favour that he there might have obtained.]

9. And made him King [Although he was not ignorant of the Lords will, as appeareth chap.3.9, 10, 18.] over Gilead, [See of Gilead, Numb.32.] and over the Ascharites, [Hereby is meant by most Interpreters the tribe of Ascher, being the uttermost in the North of Canaan, by the Sea. Heb: the Ascharite] and over Israel; [The City lay between half Manasseh and Issaschar, on the borders: the valley of Jisreel lay in Issaschar, almost in the midst of Canaan, under which the next adjacent Zebulon, Naphtali, and half Manasseh are likewise understood: as besides Ephraim, Dan and Simeon lay partly in Juda] and over Ephraim, and over Benjamin, and over all Israel. [Excepting Juda, as followeth.]

10. Ishoseth Sauls son was fourty years old, when he was King [Heb. reigned: i.e. was King, or began to reign; and so often in these Histories of the Kings] over Israel; and he reigned the second year: [See 1 Sam.13.on v.1. Or, had reigned: for the sense seemeth to be, that he had reigned two full years, when the battle mentioned, vers.12,etc. happened. see further below chap.3.on v.1. although it followeth not hence, that they let David’s he quite at peace in these two fore-going years] only those of the house of Juda, followed after David. [Heb. were after David.]

11. Now the number of days, that David was King at Hesbron, over the house of Juda, is seven years and six months.

12. Then Abner the son of Ner went forth, [To war against David and Juda] with the servants of Ishoseth the son of Saul, from Mahanaim to Gibeon. [Lying in Benjamin, Jos.chap.9. and 10. This City lay not far from the Frontiers of Juda, and was given to the children of Aaron, Jos.21 17.]

13. Joab [This was David’s Captain General, as Abner was Isboseths. Zerujah was David’s sister. See 1 Chro.2.16.] and the servants of David went forth also, and they met one another by the pool of Gibeon: [Which was without Gibeon, on the South-side of it] and they abode, these on this side of the pool, and those on the other side of the pool.

14. And Abner said unto Joab, Let now the young men [Certain lusty young soudiers] get up, and play [i.e. skirmish trying one another at their weapons. It seemeth that Abner, after the manner of rough souldiers, lightly esteemed the death of certain young champions: for which he felt his punishment in the end of this combate. See vers.17.26, 27.] before our face, [In our presence, before our eyes, for a sight or shew; that we may only sit still look on, and leave them alone to themselves] And Joab said, Let them get up.

15. Then there got up and went over [Or, a longest, viz. the pool, whereso vers.13.] by number, [i.e. by equal number on both sides] twelve of Benjamin, to wit, for Isboseth Sauls son, and twelve of David’s servants.

16. And the one caught the other [Heb. the man his neighbour, or, his fellow companion: so in the following words] and (thrust) his sword in the others side: and they whence that place was called Chelkath, Hazurim, [i.e. part, piece of land, or, field of rocks; i.e. of Champions, who were unmoveble like rocks, and every one kept his standing: or, of points, edges, because they fell one another down by the point or edge of the sword] which is by Gibeon.

17. And there was a very sore battle that day: But Abner and the men of Israel were smitten before the face of David’s servants.

18. Now there were three sons of Zerujah, Joab, and Abisai, and Asahel: and Asahel was light of his feet, [i.e. very swift in running. Compare above chap.1.23.] as one of roes, that are in the field.

19. And Asahel pursued after Abner: and he turned not aside to the right hand, or to the left, from going after Abner.

20. Then Abner looketh behind him, and said; Art thou this, Asahel? And he said; I am he.

21. And Abner said unto him; Turn (thee) aside to thy right hand, or to thy left hand, and lay thee hold on one of those, and take for thee their habit: [i.e. their apparel, or weapons, or both. Compare Judg.14.19.] but Asahel would not turn aside from after him.

22. Then Abner proceeded further, saying to Asahel; Turn aside from after me. Wherefore should I smite thee to the ground? How then should I hold up my face before Joab thy brother? [As if he had said, Why wilt thou hazard thy self? Thou will so urge me, that I shall not be able to spare, which otherwise I would willingly do for thy brothers sake, who is a valiant and brave Commander]

23. But he refused to turn aside; so Abner smote him with the hindermost (part) of the spear, [Or, he thrust him with sharp, which was at the under most, or hindermost part of the spear] on the fifth rib, [Or, by near, under. This by many is meant of that place of the right side, where the liver lieth, or neer the brest-bone, and where is the use or root of the liver-vein: where (as learned and experienced Physicians do affirm, and the same was likewise not unknown to the ancient hearthens) the would that is there given, bringeth speedier death to a man, then any other would whatsoever. Some understand it of the left side, where the heart lieth, or the hypochondrias under the short ribs which are five in number, which seemeth to be confirmed by the effusion or pouring out of the bowels, happened by the same wound, whereof below chap.20.10. Compare below chap.3.27. and 4.6. and 20.10.] that the spear come out behind him; and he fell (down) there, and died on his place? [i.e. he lay dead on the place, where he had stood, or where he was thrust thorough.] And it came to passé, that all that came to the place, where Asahel fell (down) and died, stood still.

24. But Joab and Abisai pursued after Abner, and the sun went down when they were come to the hill of Amma, which is before Giach, by the way of the wildernesse of Gibeon.

25. And the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together after Abnor, and became one heap: [Or, close joined together troop. Heb. properly bundle] and they stood on the top of an hill. [They put themselves in battelaray upon the top of an hill, the better to defend themselves.]

26. Then Abner called to Joab, and said; shall then the sword devour for ever? [i.e. without ceasing] knowest thou not that it will be bitternesse in the latter end? [i.e. that it will yield at last a bitter and sorrowfull event] and how long wilt thou not say unto the people, that they return from pursuing their brethren? [Heb. from after their brethren.]

27. And Joab said; (as true as) God liveth, unless thou hadst spoken, surely then from the morning the people had been conveyed away, every one from pursuing his brother. [Heb. from after his brother. As if he should say, if thou hadst not at first set them on to sighting, and so occasioned the battle; See above vers.14. I would have caused the people to retire betimes to day.]

28. Then Joab blew with the trumpet, and all people stood still, and pursued no more after Israel, and proceeded no further to fight.

29. Abner then and his men went all that night over the plain field: and they passed over Jordan, and walked thorough all Bihron, [Or, all the Land-partition, the separated, or, divided part of the Land, which lay over or beyond Jordan, and thereby was severed or divided from Canaan. Thus Cant.2.17. they are called Hills of Bather; i.e. of Separation, because they lay in Gilead, and were separated or divided from Canaan by the river Jordan] and came to Mahanaim. [From whence they went forth, or, set out, vers.12.]

30. Joab also returned from after Abner, and gathered all the people together: and there were lacking of David’s servants, nineteen men, and Asahel.

31. But the servants of David’s had smitten of Benjamin, and among Abners men: (so that) there died three hundred and threescore men.

32. And they took up Asahel, and buried him in his fathers sepulchre, which was at Bethlehem: now Joab and his men went all night, (so) that the light arose to them at Hebron.