2 Samuel 2

2 Samuel 2:1

JjiND it came to pass, that after this David inquired of the Lord. By Abiathar the high-priest, as he had often done before, (1 Sam. xxvi. 0. and other places.) - Saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah?] Which was his own tribe, where he had most friends; and therefore it was proper, he thought, to address himself to them, who were best affected to him. But though he had a right to the kingdom by God’s designation, yet he would not enter into possession, nor take upon him the administration of affairs, without God’s advice and direction. r t And the Lord said, Go up.] He approved of his going up into that tribe; and thereby gave him hope of success. And he said, Whither shall I go up?] He asked these questions distinctly, as the Jews say the manner was to do, and not two questions at once. (See upon 1 Sam. xxiii. 11. and see what I have further noted, xxx. 8.) And he said, Unto Hebron.] Which was a principal city in that tribe; and in the middle of it: where the people might more conveniently and easily resort to him, than in Ziklag. Which was his own town by the gift of Achish,- and at first in the lot of Judah. (See 1 Sam. xxvii. 6.)

2 Samuel 2:2

So David went up thither, he and his two wives,> Ahinoam the Jezreelite, and Abigail, NabaVs wife, the Carmelite. Who being hitherto companions in his troubles, were now advanced to be partakers of his prosperity. This Theogena the wife of Agathocles (as Strigelius observes) made the character of a good wife, who in marriage enters into society with a husband, in all things, both good and evil. • *’ And unto David were sons bom in Hebron.] He had no children it seems during his exile: or, if he had, they were daughters. His first-born was Amnon,ofAhinoam tkeJezreelitess.]She was his wife before Abigail, and brought forth his first-born son: who proved a great affliction to him.

2 Samuel 2:3

And his men that were with him did David brin<f up, every man with his household. He took care to provide for his followers, and their families, according to every one’s merit. But this, it is likely, was not done till he was settled: for to go up with so many armed men, had been to frighten them into compliance. And they dwelt in the cities of Hebron.] Which was given to the priests to be a city of refuge, (Josh. xxi. 11; 12.) and therefore could not contain all David’s followers; but only him and his v court. The rest were disposed of in the cities depending upon Hebron. And his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite.] Of whom we have no further account any where: only he is called Daniel in 1 Chron.’ iii. 1. And the Hebrew doctors give this reason of both names: He called him, say they, when he,was born, Daniel (which was his fundamental, that is, his primary name), because, said he, God hath judged or vindicated me from Nabal. And afterward he called him Chileab, as much as to say, like to his father! because in his countenance he resembled David. And this he did, for this reason, to silence the mockers of that age: who said Abigail had conceived by Nabal, whose son this was. For the confuting of which calumny, God was pleased to order that the fashion of his face should be perfectly like to David’s. And the third, Absalom, the son of Maacah, the daughter ofTalmai king of Geshur.] We read of the Geshurites in the foregoing book, (xxvii. 8.) upon whom, it is there said, David made an inroad; and brought away this fair captive, a little before Saul’s death. And when he came to Hebron, and she was sufficiently instructed and prepared to be a proselyte, he made her his wife. Thus the Jews tell the story: which doth not seem to be true, because it is said in that invasion he slew all the women. We must look therefore for other Geshurites, whom we find in the north, as the forenamed were in the south. (See Deut. iii. 14. Josh. xii. 5.) How David came by the daughter of the king of these people, it is not easy to tell. Perhaps he thought it policy to make a friend of the king of Geshur, who lay near to Ish-bosheth, and might be a curb to him, and give him a diversion, if he attempted anything against Judah: and therefore married his daughter.

2 Samuel 2:4

And the men of Judah came. The principal persons, who represented the rest. And there they anointed David king.] Who had been anointed privately by Samuel some time ago; but that was only a designation of him to the kingdom: into which he was now solemnly inaugurated by this public unction. Over the house of Judah.] Who would not presume to 2S Microsoft ® A COMMENTARY UPON [chap. II. know the sense of all Israel: though they hoped they would follow this example; as they afterward did, and anointed him again, (chap. v. ver. 3.) - And they told David, That the men ofJabesh- Gilead were they who had buried Saul.] Which it seems he had not heard of while he was in Ziklag; but now (by some discourse about Saul’s death) that noble action was related to him;.which is recorded, to their honour, in 1 Sam. xxxi. The fourth, Adonijah, the son ofHaggith: the fifth, Shephatiah, the son ofAbital.] Of the former of these, we read in the beginning of the next book, how his ambition led him to destruction (as Absalom’s did), but nothing of the other.

2 Samuel 2:5

And David sent messengers to the men ofJabesh- Gilead, saying, Blessed be ye of the Lord, that ye have shewed this kindness to your lord, even unto Saul, and have buried him. This demonstrates, both the great piety and the great prudence oC David. For he testified the true kindness he had for Saul, though his virulent enemy: and by wishing so heartily the men of Jabesh might be rewarded Ibr what they had done, he invited them (who were Israelites on the other side of Jordan) to own him for their king. •Ver. G. Notv the Lord shew kindness and truth unto you: and I also wilt requite you this kindness, because ye have done this thing.] He doth not content himself merely with praying God to reward them (which he repeats again), but promises that he would take care of them, by defending them from the Philistines, if they should offer to invade them, -for entering their country without leave, and taking from thence the trophies of their victory. The sixth, Ithream, by Eglah, ^David’s wife.] This only being called his wife (though the rest were so likewise) hath led the Jews into an opinion, that Michal, who w T as his first wife, is here called Eglah: because she was a lovely woman, in whom he much delighted, when he first married her. It is said, indeed, in vi. 23. she had no child until the day of her death: but the meaning of that is, she was barren after she had taunted David for dancing before the ark; not that she never’ had a child before that time. These were born to David in Hebron.] During the six fcHAP. III.] THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. years and a half that he reigned there. I do not know what weight there is in the observation of Conradus Pellicanus on this place, but leave it to the judgment of the reader: God so dispensed things, that men in those days, “of many wives, seldom produced* many children, “.quasi natura reclamante rei indignitatem,” as if nature abhorred the indignity of the thing, and approved the conjunction of one man with one woman. He did well to say seldom; for we read of one who had threescore and ten sons by many wives (viz. Gideon), though they came to nothing.

2 Samuel 2:6

And it came to pass, while there was ivar between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner made himself strong for the house of Saul. Went up and down through all the tribes of Israel, to strengthen his interest, and confirm them in their allegiance to Ish-bosheth: as the same Pellicanus expounds it.

2 Samuel 2:7

Noiv, therefore, let your hands be strong, and be ye valiant. As they had been to a high degree, (1 Sam. xxxi. 12.). For your master, Saul, is dead.] Or, though your master, Saul, be dead. \ v And also the house ofJudah have anointed me king over them.] He would not have them discouraged, because they wanted one to head them; for he, being invested with the royal dignity by the tribe of Judah, would look upon himself as bound to protect them also: though they had not owned him for their sovereign. - And Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Ajali.] By whom he had two sons, (xxi. 8.) And Ish-bosheth said to Abner, Why hast thou gone in to my father’s concubine?] The Jews look upon it as a very great crime for any man, though never so great, to marry the widow of the king: for it was esteemed an affectation of the kingdom; as appears in the case of Adonijah. Therefore Ish-bosheth had reason to be angry with Abner, though he was so unseasonably.

2 Samuel 2:8

But Abner the son ofNer, captain ofSauVs host. A man of the greatest authority in Israel, after Saul was dead, being general of all their forces. Took Ish-bosheth, the son of Saul.] Called Esh-Baal, 1 Chron. viii. 33. as there are several other names which end indifferently, either in Bosheth, or Baal. For instance, Gideon is called Jcrubbaal, Judg. ix. 1. and Jerubbesheth, 2 Sam. xi. 21. and Mephibosheth is called Meribbaal, 1 Chron. viii. 34. For Bosheth signifies shame and confusion; and Baal being an infamous idol, the Holy Scripture makes these names end promiscuously either in Baal, or Bosheth, or Besheth. And brought him over.] The river Jordan. To Mahayiaim.] A place in the tribe of Gad, (Josh. xiii. 26.) So called from the appearance of a host of angels to Jacob, as he came to Padan-Aram, with his household, (Gen. xxxii. 1.) Here Abner thought he might most securely do what follows,, being at a distance from David, under whom he could not promise himself that command and authority, which he hoped to maintain under Ish-bosheth. Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Ish-bosheth.’] He was grown so haughty, and thought his merit so great, that he thought he might do any thing without reprehension. And said, Am I a dog’s head.] He thought Ish-bosheth used him not as a captain of the host of Israel, but as if he had been a keeper of dogs. So the word head signifies, as the Jews generally explain it Iiasi for instance; Jam treated as if I was a commander that hath only the custody of dogs. To the same purpose Kimchi: and R. Esaias more largely (as Bochart observes), When I am leader of all Israel, thou hast cast contempt upon me, as if I was only set over a company of dogs. So the Syriac here translates dog in the plural: captain of a pack of dogs. Which was a vile employment, because a dog is generally accounted the vilest animal, (Hierozoicon, par. i. lib. ii. cap. 56.) Which against Judah do shetv kindness this day to the house of Saul thy father, to his brethren, and to his friends, and have not delivered thee into the hand of David.] He insolently reckons up his great services to him and to his family, when he could have ruined him, if he had pleased, by making David king, as easily as he had done him. That thou chargest me with a fault concerning this woman?] He upbraids him with ingratitude, in taking notice of such a small fault (as he accounted it) of lying with Itizpah. For, as Peter Martyr thinks, he did not intend to* have her for his wife; but used her as his harlot.

2 Samuel 2:9

And he made him king over Gilead. Over all the tribes on the other side Jordan; which are comprehended under this name. And over the Ashuriles.] The Chaldec paraphrast understands hereby, tho tribe of Asher; who, though remote from Mahanaim,were forward to acknowledge him. And over Jezreel.] A large and noble valley, on tho borders of Zebuhin, Issachar, and Naphtali: who are all comprehended under this word. And over Ephraim, and over Benjamin.] Under whom tho Simeonites are comprehended. And over all Israel.] All the tribes on this side Jordan, save the tribe of Judah. So do God to Abner, and more also, except, as the Lord hath sworn to David, even so I do to him.] These words shew he knew very well God had unalterably resolved to bestow the kingdom of Israel upon David; and yet his ambition led hiin hither to oppose not only David, but the Lord himself..

2 Samuel 2:10

Ish-bosheth, SanVs son, was forty years old tvhen he began to reign. Therefore he was born that very year in which Saul was made king; for he reigned forty years, as St Paul tells us, Acts xiii. 21. And reigned two years.] Before there was any hostility between him and David. So Ralbag expounds it, who makes this cohere with, ver. 12. it being a mere fancy of the Jews, in Seder Olain Rabba, that the throne was vacant, and there was no king in Israel for five years. Victoriuus Strigelius’s conjecture is far better; who, after he had given the foregoing interpretation of Ralbag» adds, that after the war broke out between David and Ish-bosheth, and David waxed stronger and stronger, (iii.l.)Ish-bosheth being an unactive prince, and unfit to command, Abner took the administration of the government upon himself, and managed the war the other five years which passed before David came to’ the throne of Israel. These five years the Scripture doth not reckon as a part of Ish-bosheth’s reign; because he had the mere name of a king,, but no authority at all. But the house of Judah followed David.] Stuck close to him, and were entirely at his command. To translate the kingdom from the house of’Saul, and to set up the throne of David over Israel, and over Judah, from Dan even to Beer-sheba.’] A wonderful change! which the study ofrevenge wrought in him: that he who lately went about the country, confirming the Israelites in their opposition to David, now resolved to bring them all over to him.* " Such is the genius of many great courtiers, who are irritated upon slight occasions: and rather rule over kings, than are ruled by them/’ They are the words of Conradus Pellicanus. • Ver.-ll. And he coxdd not answer Abner, again; because he feared him.] He was afraid to. provoke him to a higher degree, by answering him again: and therefore now wa? silent when it was too late.

2 Samuel 2:11

And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah ivas seven years and six months. So long, therefore, Ish-bosheth reigned over Israel. Unless we will suppose, either that the Israelites were five yeans deliberating whether he or Mephibosheth should be king (whose right it was by the laws of succession), or that he reigning two years immediately after the death of Saul, they wero five years deliberating whether they should own David or not: neither of which is probable, as Ralbag thinks; who judiciously observes, that those words, he reigned two years, are to be joined with ver. 12. And Abner, the son of Ner, went out, &c. That is, saith he, the two first years of his reign there was no war between the house of Saul and David: and there had been no open war, if Abner had not been the author of it, &c.

2 Samuel 2:12

And Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ish-bosheth the son of Saul. The principal officers about the king. Went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.] They passed over Jordan into the country of Benjamin, where Gibeon was, (Josh, xviii. 25.) to fight with Judah, and to bring them into the obedience of Saul’s son.’ It is observable, that David did not begin any hostility; but waited to see how God would dispose things in his favour. And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf] Having thus incensed his master, he thought it not safe to delay the execution of what he had threatened. Yet thought it neither safe nor prudent to go himself to David, until he tried his inclinations by messengers, whom: he privately sent to treat with him. Saying, Mliose is the land?] This was as much as to say, that he owned him to be lord of all the country, by God’s special gift. Saying also, Make thy league with me, and, behold, my hand shall be with thee, to bHng about all Israel to thee.] He* desires all enmities might be forgotten, and that David would make a league of friendship with him: and then he undertook, having a great power over Israel, to make: them.. all his subjects.

2 Samuel 2:13

And Joab the son of Zerniah, and the servants of David, ivent out. To oppose the designs of the Israelites; for Joab was the chief commander of David’s forces; whom the principal officers of his household attended. And they met together by the pool of Gibeon: and they sat down, the one on one side of the pool, and the other on the other side of the pooL] The two armies faced one an- & CHAP. II.] THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. other (as we now speak), being parted only by the pool that was between them. And he said, Well, I will make’ a league with thee.] He soon agreed to the motion ) with which he could not but be well pleased.. But some think he did ill, to make a league with such a wicked man;« especially since he did not inquire of God, whether’ he should do it or not* But this is more than any body can tell;- for many things were done that ate not recorded; But one thing I require of thee, that is, Thou shall itot se& my face except thou first bring Michal, SauVs daughter’, when thou comest to see my face.] This was a very reasonable condition, if Abner was able to effect it; both upon David’s own account and hers: for she was his first and beloved wife; and she was by force given to> another man: who could not lawfully enjoy her;>David having given her no bill of divorce. And therefore Phalti, the Jews think, being a good man, never knew her: (as I observed on the foregoing book, xxv. 44.) so that she lived unhappy, in a double state of separation, from’David and from her ^ present husband.- There was something of policy also in this demand; that he might ingratiate himself with the Israelites, by shewing great love to the house of Saul. Ver; 14. And David sent messengers to Ish-boshetlV, SanVs son, saying.] We do not read what answer Abner gave to David, when he required the forenamed condition of him. But it is probable he let David know, as the truth was, thatit was not in his power to bring Michal without Ishbosheth’s consent, whose sister “as’well as-subject she was: at least, it was not safe to attempt it; and therefore he advised him to send to her brother, who could not easily deny.what he desired: which Abner also, it is likely, undertook to represent as a most just demand. This counsel of Abner David followed, and it had the success he>wished. Deliver me my wife Michal, which I espoused to me for a hundred foreskins of the Philistines.] Whom he purchased of Saul with the hazard of his life*. » *

2 Samuel 2:14

And Abner said unto Joab. I suppose David had commanded Joab not to begin the quarrel, but only stand upon his defence. For he had sworn to Saul, that he would not cut off his seed; and therefore would not willingly engage against Ish-bosheth, (1 Sam. xxiv. 21.) Let the young men arise, and play before us.] He desires that some soldiers might be picked out from the rest, and make th ^ two armies sport, as the gladiators were wont to do in aftertimes among the Roman*: whereby also they might make a trial of their courage and strength. So Josephus saith, Abner was desirous to learn, 7roTtpoc avTtov avSpuoripovg arpaTiuyrag?XV* w/nc/i of they two had the bravest soldiers.

2 Samuel 2:15

Then there arose, and went over J. The pool of Gibeon. Twelve of Benjamin, which pertained to Ish-bosheth theson of Saul.] They still were forward to begin the hostility; and Abner chose this number out of Benjamin, for the honour (I suppose) of his own tribe, and because they were a Valiant sort of people, as appears by the story in Judg. xx. And twelve of the servants of David.] Whose valour, no doubt, had been tried in other exploits.

2 Samuel 2:16

And they caught every man his fellow. That is, the servants of David, last mentioned, caught each of them every one of the Benjamites that was his opposite. By the head.] That is, by the hair of his head, which they wore very long in those days. And thrust his sword in his fellow’s side.] That is, David’s men killed every one of the Benjamites with whom they were engaged: so, some say, Josephus understood it; though I can find no such thing in him. So (hey fell down together.] All the twelve men of Benjamin fell down dead together. Therefore was the place called Helkath-hazzurim, which is in Gibeon.] The Hebrewwords signify, the field of strong men; as hard and firm as a rock.

2 Samuel 2:17

And there was a very sore battle that day. The men of Israel, enraged at the loss of their valiant men, maintained a furious fight the rest of that day. And Abner was beaten, and the men of Israel, before the servants of David.] But still success followed the. men of Judah.

2 Samuel 2:18

And there were three sons ofZeruiah there. She was David’s sister: and therefore these were his nephews. Joab, Abisliai, and Asahel.] All three very valiant men, and great commanders, as appears from 1 Chron..xxvii. 7. where the last of them is mentioned as one of David’s twelve captains over four-and-twenty thousand men. (See also chap. xi. 2G. of that book.) And Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe.] I noted in the foregoing chapter, and in other places, that to be swift of foot to pursue an enemy, was a quality highly esteemed in warriors. And therefore Plato, I remember, would have this to be one of the exercises wherein youth should be trained up, viz. racing: u E<m yovv ttuvtuv ttoAc/k- •owrarov 77 aw/iaroc oSvttjc iravrac* V ulv ari twv 7tgSwv, tj Si airoTtov x u P*~ tv f & c * (Kby i”* ^ e J^S- P* 852, edit. Serrani.) Ver. 1!). And Asahel pursued after Abner.] Being desirous of the glory, either of taking or killing the greatest man in Israel. digitized by And in going he turned not t& the right hand nor to the, left from following Abner.] Nothing could turn him aside to pursue any other design: but he went right forward/ having Abner only in his eye.

2 Samuel 2:20

Then Abner looked behind him, and said, Art thou Asahel? And he answered, I am. He speaks to himcivilly, having no mind to kill him.

2 Samuel 2:21

And Abner said unto him, Turn thee aside to thy right hand or to thy left, and lay thee hold on one oftlte, young men, and take his armour. That he might not return without some spoil, he bids him take one of his attendants> his arms and all; and be content with, this glory of carrying away such a prisoner. Thus Kimchi expounds it. Others think he Bids him try his valour upon one of his servants, and disarm him, and not venture to encounter him, who was an old soldier. ■ • •,< But Asahel would not turn aside from following him.‘J Being possessed with a vain desire, of more glory than it was reasonable to expect.

2 Samuel 2:22

And Abner said again to Asahel, Turn thee aside from following me: wherefore should I smite thte to th% ground? how shall I hold up my face to Joab thy brother?. Who was a fierce man, and he knew would study revenge*

2 Samuel 2:23

Howbeit he refused to turn aside: so Abner, with the hinder end of his spear, smote him under the fifth rib, that the spear came out behind him. Pierced quite through hi$ liver and bowels. (See xx. 10.) So 11. Johannes, in thq Gemara Sanhedrin, cap. G. sect. 7. saith the fifth rib is thQ place where the liver and the gall are seated. And he fell down there, and died in the same place.] He died immediately upon the spot (as we speak), not being able to go so much as one step further.’ So dangerous it is to confide in a man’s own natural strength, or to refuse offers of peace, or despise a flying enemy, as Pellicanua here observes. The old saying was, " If an enemy fly, make way for him.” And it came to pass, that as many as came to theplacq where Asahel fell down and died stood still.] Ceased the pursuit: fearing perhaps the same fate; or that AsaheTs body should be exposed to any indignity.

2 Samuel 2:24

Joab also andAbishai pursued after Abner; antf the sun went down when they were come to the hill of Ammah, that lieth before Giah, by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon. They were hot so nimble as Asahel, and there-r fore could not overtake Abner: yet so furious, that th§ death of Asahel could not stop them till they came to this place.;

2 Samuel 2:25

And the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together to Abner, and became one troop, and stood on the top of a hill. Some of this tribe, of which Abner was, and who were valiant people, as I observed before, rallied, as we now speak; and stood in a body, as if they would renew the fight. Ver. 2G. And Abner called to Joab.] Who was 4 on the top of another hill, (ver. 24.) And said, Shall the sivord devour for ever?] There ought to be a measure Bet to our anger: which ought to go down with the sun, as the apostle speaks. *’ Knowest thou not that it must be bitterness in the end?] In civil wars, as Cicero speaks (in his fourth book of his familiar Epistles), all things are miserable, and nothing more miserable than victory itself: >vhich makes the con- Microsoft® 8S2 A COMMENTARY UPON [chap. III. queror do many things against his Avill, to satisfy those by whom he conquers. Therefore he saith in another place, " Extremum omnium malorum est belli civilis victoria;" victory in a civil war is the greatest of all evils. Such was this; as he puts him in mind in the next words, that they who killed one another were brethren. How long shall it be ere thou bid the people return from following their brethren?) They were all descended from one common father: and all worshipped one and the same God.

2 Samuel 2:27

And Joab said, As God liveth, unless thou hadst spoken, surely then in the morning the people had gone up every one from following his brother. He wishes he had been of this mind in the morning; for then there had been no fighting at all, if he had not desired.it, (ver. 14.) So Dr. Lightfoot paraphrases this verse, If thou hadst not said what thou didst in the morning (Let the young men arise, and play before us), surely the people had gone every one from his brother; and there had been never a blow struck, but thattkou didst provoke it.

2 Samuel 2:28

So Joab blew the trumpet. Caused a retreat to be sounded…. „ And all the people stood still, and followed after Israel no more, neither fought they anymore.] Neither at that time, nor any other.

2 Samuel 2:29

And Abner and his men walked all that night through the plain, and passed over Jordan. They made all the haste they could home: being fearful to trust themselves near to the army that had beaten them. And went through all Bithron, and they came to Malta* nainc.^ Some think by Bithron is meant the mountain of Bethor, mentioned Cantic. it. 15. ••Ver. 30. And Joab returned from following Abner: and when he had gathered all the people together.] Returning from the pursuit, every one resorted to the company to which he belonged. * There lacked of the servants of David nineteen men and Asahel.] This is an argument that the twelve men of Judah, who began the fight in a combat with as many of Benjamin, were not killed: for if they were, then there would have been no more than seven men killed in the battle: which is not probable.‘Ver. 31. And the servants of David had smitten of Benjamin, and of Abner s men, so that three hundred and three- Score men died.] This loss was not" great in itself: for it is likely David had given order his men should be as sparing as they could, in killing their brethren; who were, he knew, to be his subjects.; •

2 Samuel 2:32

And they took up Asahel, and buried him in the sepulchre of his father, which was in Beth-lehem. I think Josephus takes this right: who saith, Joab and his men lodged all night in the place of battle, and buried their dead; and then next morning carried Asahel to be buried among his ancestors. - And Joab and his men went all night.] Having buried Asahel, they marched all the next night towards Hebron. And they came to Hebron at break of day.] Where they gave David an account of all this action. CHAP. Ilf. Ver. Ii f-Ly OW there was-long war between the house of Saul and the house of, David.] Their enmity continuing throughout the whole reign of Ish-hosheth, it is likely there were many bickerings and skirmishes between Israel and Judah; but no pitched battle that we read of.. The contrary rather seems to be affirmed in the foregoing chapter; ver. 28. But David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul weaker and weaker.] In all their rencounters (as we now speak) David had the better: and it is likely many of the Israelites fell off to him: which very much added to his strength, and weakened the house of Saul.