2 Samuel 3

2 Samuel 3:15

And Ish-bosheth sent, and took her from her husband. He is called her husband, says the Gemara Sanhedrin, (cap. 7. sect. 2.) because he loved her with a conjugal affection: though he did not enjoy her. This was an honourable action of Ish-boshcth, to restore David his lawful wife:- like to which Strigelius here notes in several great men. Particularly in the famous Scipio, who restored Al- Iucius’s wife to him, who had been taken by his soldiers: and Pausanius, general of tho Lacedemonians; who, after the fight at Platca, sent Coa, who was a captive, unto her relations. Even from Phaltiel the son of Laish.] Called Phalti in 1 Sam. xxv. 44. The word el is here added, say the Jews, because God interposed all the time he had her to’keep them from sin. For he put a sword between Michal and him when he went to bed to her, signifying he should be cut off if he lay with her. Kimchi and Ralbag follow this fancy of the Talmudists: but others dislike it, and think that David had, given her a bill of divorce. Unto which he being compelled by Saul’s violence, and not doing it willingly, they think it was null; and that David might lawfully take her again, though Phalti had enjoyed her. But Abarbinel confutes both these opinions, and thinks that Saul was not so impious as to take a wife from her husband, aud give her to another: nor David in such need of a wife as to send for Michal, if she had lived in wedlock with another man. And therefore he observes, that Saul is not said (in 1 Sam. xxv* 44.) to give her to wife unto Phalti, but only to give her: that is, to commit her to his care and custody in the absence of her husband, that she might live virtuously, and not follow after David. For he supposes Phalti to have been an. old, grave, and pious man, who might be trusted with her, as he was with tho children of Merab, the other daughter of Saul, who sent them to Phalti to be educated, and to bear Michal company. As for his being called her husband (in this verso and the next), he observes tho word is not baalaJi, but only ishah, which is used, ho saitlvfor one that is the keeper and overseer of another person. Ver. 1G. And her husband went with her along weeping behind her to Bahurim.] Being very loath to part with her company, which was delightful to him. •Then said Abner unto him, Return. And lie returned.] Abner intended to havo the honour of presenting her unto the king: and would not have the old man appear to disturb their meeting with his tears. -Ver. 17. And Abner.] Having seen David, and given him assurance of his fidelity, as David him of his friendship. Had communication with the elders of Israel, saying."] Went back to persuade all to do as he had done: and by bringing over the great men to David, he doubted not the multitude would follow. Ye sought for David in times past to be king over you.] For after the slaughter of Goliath he was very gracious in the eyes of all the people, and was much beloved by them, (1 Sam. xviii. 5. 16.) And when he was forced to fly, a great many pf Israel came over to him while he dwelt at Ziklag: of the Benjamites, 1 Chron. xii. 2, &c. and the Gaditcs, veV. 8, 0, &c. and the Manassitcs, ver. 19, &c. and after he came to Hebron more went over to him out of all the tribes of Israel, ver. 23. and the following part of that chapter. m A»d it is highly probable, that as soon as Saul and Jonathan were dead, thoy all generally inclined -to make David their king: if Abner, by his great authority, had not set up one of tho family of Saul.

2 Samuel 3:18

Now then do it.". Fulfil your own desires and intentions. For the Lord hath spoken of David, saying, By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel out of thz hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies.] We no where read these words recorded; but, it is likely,. Samuel had often spoken them: if not at length, yet they are included in the words of God to Samuel, when he commanded him to anoint David king over Israel; (1 Sam. x. 1. 12.) for this was tho intention of giving them a king, that he might fight their battles, (1 Sam. viii. 29.)

2 Samuel 3:19

And Abner also spake in the ears of Benjamin. Where he had more interest than among the rest, being of that tribe: whom it was necessary to take somo pains withal to gain their affection to David. Thereforehc seems to have spoken, not only with their elders, but to have gone through the^ several families in the tribe: who were much devoted to the house of Saul, and had stuck close to it; and were the first that attempted any thing against David, (ii. 15.) And Abner went also to speak in the ears of David in He* bron all that seemed good to Israel.] He went and reported to David privately the sense of all the people. And that seemed good to the whole house of Benjamin.] Particularly he related how all Benjamin stood affected to him: whom he brought over so effectually, that they never forsook the house of David when all the rest of the tribes did.

2 Samuel 3:20

And Abner came to David in Hebrcm, and twenty men with him. Now he appeared publicly, and declared himself for David. And David made Abner, and the men that were with him, a feast.] Not merely as a token of kindness, but to make a league with him, (as he had desired, and David promised, ver. 12, 13.) Into which it had been an ancient custom to enter by eating and drinking together, Gen. xxvi. 30. xxxi. 44. and other places.

2 Samuel 3:21

And Abner said, I will arise and go, and will gather all Israel together unto my lord the king, tltat they may make a league with thee. Ho intended to bring all the chief men of Israel to own him for their king, as he had done; and promise to be his faithful subjects: which he knew he could effect, because they had already declared their mind in the private conferences he had had with thcm> (ver. 17, &c.) That thou mayest reign over all that thy heart desireth.] That is, over all the tribes of Israel. And David sent Abner away; and he went in peace.] They parted as good friends do, with wishes of all happiness on both sides.

2 Samuel 3:22

And, behold, the servants of David and Joab came from pursuing a troop, and brought a great spoil vritk them. In those times of distraction between Judah and Israel, we may well think their neighbours, who were enemies to both, the Philistines, Edomites, Moabites, and others, made many inroads upon the country to get spoil. When Joab and the great men about David watched, and at this time had overtaken them, in their return home, and recovered a great booty from them But Abner was not with David in Hebron’; for he had sent him away, and he was gone in peace.] Though Abner CHAP. III.] THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. was not there when Joab returned victorious, yet he seems to be but justgone a little way out of the city, (ver. 26.)

2 Samuel 3:23

And when Joab and all the host that were with kirn were come. That is, the captains of the host, or principal officers, were come to give an account of their success. - Tliey told Joab, saying, Abner came to the king, and he tutth sent him away, and he is gone in peace.] Some officious courtiers inf rmed hira of what had passed in his absence: as it is likely they were wont to do of all that the king did. For he that commanded all the forces, had in effect every body else at his command.

2 Samuel 3:24

Tfien Joab came to the king, and said, What hast thou done? behold, Abner came unto thee; why is it that thou hast sentjiim away, and he is quite gone?. He chides the king, as if he did not understand his own interest; but was to be taught by him. Which high presumption he was constrained to endure, because of his great power with the military men.

2 Samuel 3:25

Tlion knowest Abner the son of Ner, that he came to deceive thee, and to know thy going out, and thy Coining in, and to know all that thou doest. It is likely that Joab himself did not believe, that Abner came with a design only to learn how David’s affairs stood, and to make his advantage of it: but he would have David believe so, that he might have the better colour for his wicked design of dispatching Abner. Ver. 2G. And when Joab was gone out from David.’] Ho seems to have gone out in a huff; not staying for an answer. He sent messengers after Abner.] In the king’s name, I suppose, as if he had something further to communicate to him: for otherwise it is not credible that Abner would have returned. And brought him back from the well of Sir ah.] It is not certain where this well w r as: but it is probable not far from Hebron. Josephus saith, twenty furlongs distant from thence. But David knew it not.] Gave him no such order, as he pretended.

2 Samuel 3:27

And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab. Who waited for him at the entrance of the city. Took him aside in the gate.] Which being a public rjlace, where men met to do business, and where the courts of judgment sat, it made Abner suspect no danger. To speak with him quietly.] Especially since he took him by the hand in a friendly manner, to have some discourse with him. And smote him tinder the fifth rib, that he died.] Immediately, without speaking a word. (See the foregoing chapter, ver. 23.) For the blood of Asahel his brother.] This was one reason; but the chief was, his fear that Abner would overtop him, if he brought all Israel to submit to David; being a man longer versed in military affairs than himself; and who had governed Israel in the time of Saul’s distraction, and since Ish-bosheth was made king by him. So Josephus: He was afraid lest Abner should receive from David, 7rpwrrjv to^iv, the highest place above himself. Upon which he makes this reflection, badta TrrikiKa, &c. What will not men dare to do, who are covetous, ambitious, and will be inferior to none, for to obtain what they desire? They tvill commit a thousand crimes; andrather than lose what they have got, they will not fear still to commit greater wickednesses.

2 Samuel 3:28

And afterward, when David heard it, he said, 1 and my kingdom are guiltless before the Lord for ever from the blood of Abner the son of Ner. He lifted up his hands to God (as Josephus explains it), and with aloud voice cried out publicly, that God knew he was innocent in this matter: and therefore trusted he would not let him and his kingdom suffer for it..

2 Samuel 3:29

- Jjet it rest on the head of Joab. The guilt an<I punishment lie upon him; who was the sole committer of this murder. And on all his father’s house.] His indignation at the fact seems to have transported him too far; making him wish all Joab’s family might suffer for it: which was against the law of God, (Deut. xxiv. 16.) that children should not suffer for their father’s sin. It may be looked upon, therefore, as a prophetical prediction, rather than as a private imprecation: or as words spoken in a great passion; which made him think the punishment could not be too sore, or too lasting, for so horrid a crime. In the guilt of which Joab endeavoured to involve the king, by sending for Abner back in the king’s name (as Josephus takes it), and so might be thought to have killed him by his order. And let there not fail from the house of Joab one that hath an issue.] Which was such a very noisome disease, that, by the law of the Jews, it made the very bed on which a man, that had it, lay, or the seat on which he sat, unclean. In short, he was no less abominable among them than a menstruous woman. (See Lev. xV.) Or that is a leper.] How filthy he was accounted, see Lev. xiii. where by the law ho was secluded from all society. Or that tyaneth on a staff.] By reason of some great weakness, or lameness: having the gout, as Pellicanus takes it. *’ Or thatfalleth on the sword.] This, in our language, signifies that maketh away himself. Or that lacketh bread.] Is a beggar, and ready to starve.

2 Samuel 3:30

So Joab and Abishai his’ brother slew Abner, because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in tlie battle. It seems Abishai was near at hand, ready to assist in the murder; if there had been any need of his help*.

2 Samuel 3:31

And David said to Joab, and to all the people that were with him. To the whole court. Rend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner.] These were all outward expressions of very great sorrow: which Joab himself was forced to make a show of.. And David himself followed the bier.] Was the chief mourner. In which the Jews think David’s passion made him again exceed his bounds: for Maimonides saith, it was not lawful, by their constitutions, for a king to accompany a dead corpse to the grave;. but he ought to mourn at home. This is their doctrine in Sanhedrin, cap. 2. sect. ]3. and the Gemara there, cap. 2. n. 5. (See Cocceius’s Annotations.) But a famous writer among them (Mikotzi) saith it was indifferent: the king might xlo as David did, if he pleased: for which he quotes R. Jehuda.- Therefore; though perhaps it was not" commonly done, yet David, to * purge himself from all suspicion of this crime, and to £he^ his extreme great grief for it, thought fit to do Abner this Microsoft ® 31G A COMMENTARY UPON [chap. hi. public honour, (Sec Guil. Schickardus, in his Jus Itcgium, cap. 4. Theor. 13.) The word we here translate 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. And kings were sometimes carried out upon beds very richly adorned; as Joscphus tells us Herod was, in the latter cad of his first book* of the Jewish Wars, K\lvi tiv b\6xpv<roc, &c. The bed was all gilded, set with precious stones, and a purple cover curiously wrought, &c. It is but a fancy that they were wont to follow the bier, and not to go before it: to signify that they looked upon their dead friends not as lost, but only gone before them, ec Prasmissi, non araissi/’ as Seneca speaks..

2 Samuel 3:32

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. By this it appears be was buried in pomp, and with a long train of people attending his corpse, as there did the widow’s son in Luke vii. 14. When they came to the grave, and laid the corpse there, it was the custom to make great and loud lamentations; which are sometimes called bowlings in the prophetical language. And commonly before the word weeping, there is mention in Scripture of lifting up the voice in doleful cries. This is as ancient as Abraham’s time; (Gen. xxi. 16.) and we find Joseph weeping so loud, upon a different occasion, that all the house of Pharaoh heard him, (Gen. xlv. 2. 14, 15.) The forms of lamentation are noted by the prophets, (Jcr. xxii. 18. Micah v. 16.) Vcr. 33. And the king lamented over Abner, saying.] Joscphus looks upon what follows as a kind of epitaph upon Abner, whom David buried magnificently, as he speaks, Qcnpag 8’ airov /ifcyaAo7rp£7rwc *at £7rira0ioi/c avyypa- ^a/ievoc &pf)vov$, &C. Died Abner as a fool dieth?] By a fool in Scripture is often meant a wicked man, a malefactor; and so the sense, according to this translation, is, Did he die by the hand of justice, for some notorious crime committed by him? Or, Did he die by his own folly? No such matter. But the words may be translated out of the Hebrew, How like a fool died Abner? Or, Should Abner have died like a fool? That is, what pity is it, that such a valiant man should die on this fashion! By treachery, without any power to defend himself.’. Vcr. 34. Thy hands were not bound, nor thy feet put into fetters.] He was not a prisoner, but had both hands and feet at liberty, and yet could make no use of them for his own preservation. Victorinus Strigelius thinks that David, in these words, distinguishes him from those criminals, whose hands being tied behind them, arc carried to execution; and from those idle soldiers, who, being taken captive in war, have fetters clapped upon their legs, to keep them from running away. He was none of these; neither a notorious offender, nor a coward: but perfidiously murdered by one in seeming friendship with him. But the plain meaning seems to be, that if his enemy had set upon him openly, he had been able to make his part good with him.. But as a man falleth before wicked men, sofellest thou.] That is, before a secret murderer. And all the people wept again over him.] Upon this speech of the king, which was mournfully spoken, they were so affected, that it drew tears more plentifully from them. Vcr. 35. And when all the people came to cause David to eat meat while it was yet day.] This was a custom among the Hebrews, whose friends were wont to come, after the funeral was over, to comfort those who had buried their dead, and send in provisions to make a feast. It being supposed, that they themselves were so sorrowful, as not to be able to think of their necessary food. (See Jcr. xvi. 5. 7, 8. Ezek. xxiv. 17. and Grotius upon that place.) David sware, saying, God do so to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or aught else, till the sun be down.] He resolved to keep a strict and rigid fast, which did not end till the sun was set. Hence it appears that they buried their dead in the day-time.

2 Samuel 3:36

And all the people took notice of it. Of his great grief. And it pleased them; for whatsoever the king did, pleased all the people.] They were pleased with the honour he had done this great man: whereby he so ingratiated himself with the people, that they were disposed to put a kind construction upon all his actions, as wise and well becoming him.

2 Samuel 3:37

Far all the people. Of Judah, or all those that were about the king. And all Israel, understood that day, that it was not of the king to slay Abner the son ofNer.] That he neither ordered it, nor consented to it, nor any way approved it, but was heartily grieved for his death.

2 Samuel 3:38

And the king said unto his servants. Who, perhaps, were not sensible enough of this loss; or thought he bewailed it too much. Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel?] He bids them consider his birth, and his power, authority, and valour, with all his other excellent qualities: and they would not think it strange that he buried him with so much pomp, and mourned so heavily for him.

2 Samuel 3:39

And I am this day weak. In the Hebrew it is tender; that is, his kingdom was young (as we speak), and not settled and confirmed. Though anointed king.] Or, as the words may be translated, and anointed king. That is, not born to a kingdom, but newly called to it, without any hereditary right to the authority; which made it more slender, than if it had been oflong standing. This seems to have been the reason why he did not punish Joab for this murder, because he himself was not well established. lie had also been very faithful, and stuck close to him in his adversity; and had a mighty power among the military men (as I said before), and was also an excellent soldier himself; which made him very necessary to David in a time of civil war and discord between Judah and Israel. Therefore prudence made him defer his punishment till a better opportunity. As God himself ordinarily doth not call men to an account immediately for their sins, but takes a time to doit more severely, than if it were done presently. And these men the sons ofZeruiah are too hard for me.] He and his brother had got such an interest in the soldiery, and among the people both in the court and country, that he knew not how to deal with them. Yet he not only sufficiently shewed that he detested their actions, but that he