2 Samuel 3

The war between the house of Saul, and the house of David, ver.1,etc. A list of David’s sons, that were born to him at Hebron, 2. Abner being had in great respect in Sauls house, is incensed against Isboseth for some affront offered him, and treateth with David for an agreement, 6. He bringeth Michal Sauls Daughter, again to david, according to his desire,13. And having communed with the Eldest of Israel, visiteth David at Hebron, becometh friends with him, and departeth in peace, 17. Joab coming from abroad, and hearing of this, blameth David for it, overtaketh Abner without David’s privity, and murdereth him treacherously, 22. For which David is greatly incensed and declareth publickly his innocency, burieth Abner in a stately manner, proclaimeth his valour, lamenteth over him, and excuseth himself for not punishing at present the authors of this murther, 28.

1. And there was a long war between the house of Saul and between the house of David: [This war seemeth to have lasted five years. For at the time of the first battle (whereof chap.2.12.etc.) David and Isboseth, both of them, had reigned two years, as appeareth from chap.2.10. compare with v.4.and 9. of the same chapter: from whence may be gathered, that they both began to reign at one and the same time. Now David reigned at Hebron seven years and six moneths, chap.2.11. until such time that Isboseth being slain, (below chap.4.6, 7.) he was anointed King over all Israel, chap 5.3. So that this war seemeth to have lasted the five remaining years and certain months] but David’s went and grew stronger, [Heb. was going, and growing strong: i.e. grew stronger] but those of the house of Saul went and grew weaker. [Heb. the house of Saul were going and growing weak, or, thin, exhausted: i.e. those of the house of Saul grew smaller and smaller, or lesse powerful. See Gen.26.on v.13. Jon.1.on v.11.]

2. And unto David were sons born at Hebron: Now his first-born was Amnon, of Achinoam, the Jizreelitesse.

3. And his second was Chileab, [Otherwise called Daniel, 1 Chron.3.1.] of Abigail, the wife of Nabal, [see above chap.2.on vers.2.] the Carmelite: and the third Absalom, [Heb. Abslom] the son of Maacha [Being converted to the true Religion] the Daughter of Thalmai, King of Gesur: [Heb. Geschur, as below, chap.13.37, 38. & 14.13. & 15.8. A city lying in the North, on the frontiers or borders of Gilead, in the sore-part of the division of Syria, called Trachonites. See Deut.3.14. Jos.12.5. below chap.15.8. There were also Gestures on the South-side of Canaan, toward Egypt, 1 Sam.27.8. from whom David, being at Ziklag, fetched great store of prey.]

4. And the fourth Adonia, the son of Haggith: and the fifth Sephatia, [Heb. Schepatia] the son of Abital:

5. And the sixth, Jithream, by Egla, David’s wife: [There be divers opions concerning the question, why this woman only is called in this place David’s wife, whereas all the rest before mentioned were his wives like-wife? Some conceive that she was the most excellent and chiefest of all David’s wives; others, that she was the meanest, and of lowest condition among them all, and known by nothing peculiar and special, but that David had taken her to wife. But the truest and most probable opion seemeth to be this, that it’s possible there might have been another woman of the same name, and that this was distinguished from that other by this appellation, or addition] these were born to David at Hebron.

6. While that war was between the house of Saul, and between the house of David, it came to passé, that Abner made himself strong in the house of Saul. [Getting by his great courage, and valiant acts, special power, authority, and respect, even with King Isboseth himself, as appeareth in the following verses. Oth behaved himself valiantly for Sauls house.]

7. Now Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpa, the daughter of Aija: [Of this woman, see below, chap.12.8,10,11, etc.] and (I boseth) said unto Abner, Wherefore hast thou gone unto my fathers concubine? [i.e. hast layen with her. It seemeth that Isboseth had a shrewd suspicion of Abner, as if he asired after the Crown.]

8. Then Abner was much incensed [Heb. kindled to Abner greatly; viz.anger, wrath. See Genes.4.on vers.5.] for Isboseth’s words, and said; Am I a Dogs heads, [i.ee. base and contemptible, of no worth, value, esteem. Compare 1 Sa.24.15. and Deu.23.18. below c.9.8. and 16.9.] I who against Juda do shew kindness this day unto the house of Saul thy father, to his brethren, and to his friends, [Oth. that I should be of, with, or, for Juda? Should I this day, etc. i.e. as if I held with Juda, or had revolted to Juda, or, belonged to Juda? whereas on the contrary I have done thus and thus, and yet still do, etc.] and have not delivered thee into the hand of David [Heb. have made to be found; i.e. have made to fall, or, delivered into David’s hand] that thou searchest on me the iniquity of a woman? [i.e. committed with a woman, or with this woman. Or, thou layest to my charge, visitest me to day (for, or, because of) etc. or, visitest upon me: i.e. thou wilt examine me, and bring me to a trial, and punish me, for a fault which I should have committed toward this woman? Whereas thou should have connived and wink at it: or reprovest me, as if it were true: Is this my reward for all my true and faithful services? So intolerable was this reproof unto him.]

9. Let God do so to Abner, and let him so add thereunto, [Of this manner of swearing, see Ruth 1.on v.17. and 1 Kings 19.on v.2.] surely, according as the LORD hath sworn to David, [Notwithstanding that he knew this full well, yet nevertheless he had assisted the house of Saul, and resisted or opposed David. See also v.18.] even so will I do to him;

10. Transforming the Kingdom from the house of Saul, and setting up [Or, establishing] the throne of David over Israel and over Juda, from Dan to Berseba. [These were the uttermost borders of Canaan. Dan in the North, and Berseba in the South. See 1 Kings 4.on v.25.]

11. And he [viz. Isboseth] could not answer Abner a word more, because he feared him. [Fearing, if he should be roughly dealt withal, he would do that in good earnest, which he only seemed to threaten in his passion: and that in regard of his power, and the authority which he had, above verse.6.]

12. Then Abner sent messengers to David in behalf of himself, [Or. In his stead; i.e. in stead of coming himself, or, in his own name, but not the name of King Isboseth, or the Kingdom. Oth. instead of that: i.e. therefore, in that respect, regard] saying; whose is the land? [As if he should say, the Kingdom of Israels Land, belongeth indeed to no man, but to thee, to whom it was promised by God] saying (further;) Make thee a league with me, and behold, my hand shall be with thee, to turn about all Israel unto thee.

13. And he [viz. David] said, well, [Or, ‘tis well, ‘tis good: i.e. thy project pleaseth me well; I accept of it] I will make a covenant with thee: but one thing I reuire of thee, saying; [i.e. to wit this, etc.] Thou shall not see my face, [Compare Genes.43.3.] unless thou first bring in Michal, Sauls daughter, [David’s first wife, of ehom the Scripture witnesseth, that she loved him, and had been faithful to him, 1 Sam.18.20, 28. and 19.11, 12.] When thou comest to see my face.

14. David also sent messengers unto Isboseth, the son of Saul, [Thus to give occasion to Abner, to fulfil his promise without the least suspicion of Isboseth] saying: Give (me) my wife Michal, whom I have espoused unto me, with a hundred foreskins of the Philistines. [According to Sauls bargain, who by that means thought to have destroyed David by the hands of the Philistines. See 1 Sam.18.25, 27.]

15. Then Isboseth sent forth, [Without doubt, being over-ruled and perswaded by Abner, whom through fear he durst deny nothing] etc took her [i.e. caused her to be taken by the messengers sent by him] from (her) husband, from Paltiel, [called also Palti, to whom Saul gave this Michal to wife, after David was sted, 1 Sa. 25.44.] the son of Lais.

16. And her husband went with her, going and crying after her unto Bahurim: [Lying in Benjamin, below cha.19.16. hard by the borders of Juda, as the Maps do shew.] Then said Abner unto him; return; depart, return; and he returned.

17. Now Abner had words with the eldest of Israel [Heb. Abners word, (or, dealing, advice) was, or, had been with,&c. Compare 1 Kings 17. and Numb.31.16.] saying: Ye desire David long ago [Heb. also yesterday, also ere yesterday] to (be) King over you.

18. Therefore do it now: for the LORD hath spoken unto David, saying, By the hand of my servant David I will deliver my people of Israel from the hand of the Philistines, and from the hand of all their enemies.

19. And Abner also spake before the ears of Benjamin, [As he had done with the Eldest of Israel] moreover, Abner went also his way, to speak before the ears of David at Hebron, all that was good in the eyes of Israel, and in the eyes of the whole house of Benjamin. [Meaning the greatest part: for as yet many were addicted to the house of Saul, because Saul came of the tribe of Benjamin. See 1 Sam.16.and10.20, 21. 1 Chron.12.29. Compare this phrase with Matth.3.5.and Phil.2.21,&c. To speak before the ears of David,&c. i.e. to report unto David all that Israel, and especially Benjamin had found good and declared]

20. And Abner came to David to Hesbron, and twenty men with him; and David made Abner, and the man that were with him, a feast.

21. Then said Abner unto David; I will get me up, and go my ways, and gather all Israel together unto my Lord the King, that they may make a league with thee, and that thou mayest reign over all that thy soul desireth: [Or, according to all, or, altogether as, &c. i.e. according to thy hearts wish, and desire] So David let Abner go, and he went in peace.

22. And behold David’s servant, and Joab came from a band, [Or, a troop, a company of roving Souldiers, whom they had overtaken and plundered] and brought with them great prey: now Abner, he was not with David at Hebron; for hre had let him go, and he was gone in peace.

23. Now when Joab, etc all the host that was with him, were come, then they told Joab, saying; Abner, the son of Ner, is come to the King, and he hath let him go, and he is gone in peace.

24. Then Joab went in to the King, etc said; what hast thou done? Behold, Abner is come unto thee; now, why hast thou let him go, that he is gone so free away? [Heb. going is gone]

25. Thou knowest Abner, the son of Ner that he is come to thee; [i.e. To seduce thee with sweet flattering words. See Judg.14.on v.15.] and to know thy going out, and thy coming in, [i.e. thy dealing & conversation thy managing of affairs both at home & abroad, within doors and without doors. See Deut.28.on vers.6.] yea to know all that thou doest.

26. And Joab went forth from David, and sent messengers after Abner, [As if the King had yet something further to say to him: although it was without the Kings privity, as followeth] which brought him again from that well of Sira: [Or, fountain, or, well, pit, or pool of Sira: laying Northward off from Hebron, close by the way that goeth from Hebron to Jerusalem and Benjamin, as the Maps do shew] but David knew it not.

27. Now when Abner returned to Hebron, then Joab led him aside in the midst of the gate, to speak with him quietly: [Or, peceaceably, as if he had something to tell him in a confident manner, secretly and in private] and he smote him there on the fifth rib, [As above chap.2.23.] that he died for his brother Asahels blood. [i.e. slaughter, which he had committed on his brother Asahel: above chap.2.23.and below v.30. See Gen.4.9, 10.]

28. Afterward when David heard that, he said; I am guiltless, and my Kingdom, with the LORD, [Heb. From, with the LORD: as if he had said, I am free from punishment before the Lord, who will not impute this murder to me, nor to my Kingdom] for ever from the blood [Heb. bloods: as Gen.4.9,10,&c.] of Abner the son of Ner.

29. Let it [viz. Blood: see Judg.9.on ver.24.] rest on the head of Joab, and on all his fathers house: and let there not be out off from the houser of Joab, that hath an issue, [see Lev.15.2,&c.] and is leprous, and that leaneth on the staff, [i.e. that is crasie, weak, seeble, or lame] and falleth by the sword, and lacketh bread, [i.e. let there be ever in Joabs house some person that is subject and liable to these plagues, or some of them.]

30. Thus Joab and Abisai his brother slew Abner, [Hence it appeareth, that Abisai was privy to this murther, although he be not named in the foregoing verses] because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle. [and consequently in a murderous way, as Joab had done Abner: see above chapter 2. 20, 21, 22, 23.]

31. Then David said unto Joab, and to all the people that was with him, Rent your garments, [See Gen.37.on v.24.] and gird you with sacks, [see Gen.37.on vers.34.] and mourn before Abner: [i.e. before the corps, as is declared in the following words. Compare Luke 7:14.] and King David went after the Bier. [or, Corps, Heb. Bed; i.e. wherein Abner lay and was carried.]

32. Now when they buried Abner at Hebron, then the King lift up his voice, and wept at Abners grave; also all the people wept.

33. And the King made a lamentation over Abner, and said; Did then Abner die, as a fool dieth? [As if he had said, Is it not a sad thing that such a valiant champion hath been said to lose his life in such a piteous way, as if he had been one of the vilest persons that are living, or some one person, that shall foolishly suffer himself to be murthered without any opposition at all. But (as if David should say) that shall in no wise pbscure his military praise.]

34. Thy hands were not bound, nor thy feet put into copper fetters. [Intimating, that Joab should have found, that he had to deal with a souldier, that could use both hands and feet, if he had fought with him hand to hand] (but) thou art fallen, as they fall before the face of children of perverseness: [or, sons of perverseness, iniquity, craftiness: as below chap.7.10. i.e. most perverse men; whereby David openly hits Joab and his brother thorough, and upbraids them with that base and shameful murder. Touching the phrase (children) or, sons of perverseness the same is often elsewhere used in Scripture. Also children of Belial; i.e. of vice, or looseness, stiffneckedness, Deuteronomy 13:13. children of transgression, Isa.57.4. children of disobedience, Ephes.2.2. children of darkness, 1 Thes.5.5. as on the contrary, children of courage, or, valour, above chap.2.7. children of light, Ephes.5.8. and the like. Compare below chap.12.on ver.5.] then all the people wept yet more [or, again. Heb. all the people went on, or, added to weep] over him.

35. After that all the people came to cause David to eat bread, [i.e. To exhort, or perswade him, to take some victuals to refresh and strengthen himself with meat] while it was yet day: but David sware, saying, Let God do so to me, and let him do add thereunto; [as above verse 9.] if I taste bread, or ought else before Sun-setting! [For so was the manner of aright Fast, that they abtained from all manner of food whatsoever until evening: so above chap.1.12, &c.]

36. When all the people perceived this, it was good in their eyes: [i.e. It pleased the people well] all, so as the King had done, was good in the eyes of all the people.

37. And all that people, and all Israel, observed that day that it was not of the King, [i.e. That it was in no wise the Kings counsel and will] that they had slain Abner, the son of Ner.

38. Moreover, the King said unto his servents: Know ye not, that a Prince, yea a great (man) is fallen this day in Israel? [And that consequently, the murderer of such a person, for the example and terror of others, ought to be secretly punished?]

39. But I am this day tender, [i.e. I am yet mean in power: a comparison taken from a young child] and anointed King; [i.e. I am yet weak and young in my Kingdom; I am indeed anointed by Samuel King over all Israel, but yet have indeed and in truth no tribe under me, but Juda onely,] and these men, the sons of Zeruja, are harder then I, [i.e. Mightier, stronger, or firmer, that I should dare, or be able to punish them, according to desert, in regard of the great sway and respect they bear among the souldiery. Thus David (who had so many experiences of Gods gracious help and assistance) seemeth to have yielded too much to human policy, and carnal respects, putting off the punishment till further opportunity, which notwithstanding in his lifetime he found, or (at least) leaving at last the vengeance to his son Salomon, 2 King.2.5.] the LORD shall reward the evil-doer according to his wickedness. [as if he should say, Because I for the present do want power, therefore the Almighty God shall punish him, or grant me yet the power to do it, or to cause it to be done. See the beginning hereof, below chap.19.14. the progress, 1 King.2.5, 6. and that full and perfect execution or accomplishment, 1 King.2.34.]