1During the course of the war David still groweth stronger. 2The six sons which were born to him in Hebron. 6Abner, offended by Ish-bosheth, threateneth to revolt to David; 12to whom he sendeth to offer his service. 13David refuseth to treat, till he hath first received back his wife Michal; who on his demand is restored to him. 17Abner having communed with the Israelites goeth to David, by whom he is feasted, and sent away in peace. 22Joab returning from battle is displeased with the king, and following Abner murdereth him treacherously. 28David curseth Joab, 31and mourneth for Abner.
1NOW there was 1long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David 2waxed stronger and stronger, and 3the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker.
1 This war seems to have lasted five years. For, at the time of the first battle, (whereof 2 Sam. 2:12, etc.) David and Ishbosheth, both of them, had reigned two years, as appears from 2 Sam. 2:10, compared with verses 4, 8 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 months, 2 Sam. 2:11, until such time that Ishbosheth being slain, (2 Sam. 4:6, 7), David was anointed king over all Israel, 2 Sam. 5:3. So that this war seems to have lasted the five remaining years and certain months.
2 Hebr. was going, and growing strong; that is, grew stronger and stronger.
3 Hebr. the house of Saul were going and growing weak, or, thin, being exhausted; that is, those of the house of Saul grew smaller and smaller, or less powerful. See Gen. 26 on verse 13; Jonah 1 on verse 11.
2¶And unto David were sonsa born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;
a 1 Chron. 3:1, etc.
3And his second, 4Chileab, of Abigail the 5wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, 6Absalom the son of 7Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of 8Geshur;
4 Otherwise called Daniel; 1 Chron. 3:1.
5 See 2 Sam. 2 on verse 2.
6 Hebr. Abschalom.
7 Being converted to the true religion.
8 Hebr. Geschur; as 2 Sam. 13:37, 38; 14:23; 15:8. A city, situated in the north, on the frontiers or borders of Gilead, in the fore-part of the division of Syria, called Trachonitis. See Deut. 3:14; Joshua 12:5; 2 Sam. 15:8. There were also Geshurites on the south side of Canaan toward Egypt, 1 Sam. 27:8, from whom David, being at Ziklag, fetched great store of prey.
4And the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, 9Shephatiah the son of Abital;
9 Hebr. Schepatia.
5And the sixth, Ithream, by Eglah David’s 10wife. These were born to David in Hebron.
10 There be divers opinions concerning the question, Why this woman only is called in this place David’s wife, whereas all the rest before mentioned were his wives likewise? Some perceive that she was the most excellent and most prominent of all David’s wives; others, that she was the most common 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 opinion seems to be this, that it is possible there might have been another woman of the same name, and that this was distinguished from that other by this appellation, or addition.
6¶And it came to pass, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner made himself 11strong for the house of Saul.
11 Getting, by his great courage and valiant acts, special power, authority, and respect, even with king Ishbosheth himself, as appears in the following verses. Other, behaved himself valiantly for Saul’s house.
7And Saul had a concubine, whose name was 12Rizpah,b the daughter of Aiah: and Ish-bosheth said to Abner, Wherefore hast thou gone 13in unto my father's concubine?
12 Of this woman, see 2 Sam. 21:8, 10, 11, etc.
b 2 Sam. 21:8, 10, 11, etc.
13 That is, hast lain with her. It appears that Ishbosheth has had suspicion as though Abner truly strived after the kingdom.
8Then was Abner very 14wroth for the words of Ish-bosheth, and said, Am I a 15dog’s head, 16which against Judah do shew kindness this day unto the house of Saul thy father, to his brethren, and to his friends, and have not 17delivered thee into the hand of David, that thou chargest 18me to day with a fault concerning 19this woman?
14 Hebr. kindled Abner very greatly, namely, anger, wrath. See Gen. 4 on verse 5.
15 That is, base and contemptible, of no worth, value, esteem. Compare Deut. 23:18; 1 Sam. 24:15; 2 Sam. 9:8; 16:9.
16 Other, that I should be of, with, or, for Judah? should I this day, etc.; that is, as if I held with Judah, or had revolted to Judah, or, belonged to Judah? Whereas on the contrary I have done thus and thus, and yet still do, etc.
17 Hebr. have made to be found; that is, have made to fall or delivered into David’s hand.
18 Or, thou layest to my charge, visitest me to day, etc.; or, visitest upon me; that is, thou wilt examine me and bring me to a trial, and punish me for a fault which I may have committed toward this woman? Whereas thou should have connived and winked 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.
19 That is, committed with a woman, or with this woman.
9So 20do God to Abner, and more also, except, as the 21LORD hath sworn to David, even so I do to him;
20 Of this manner of making an oath, see Ruth 1 on verse 17, and 1 Kings 19 on verse 2.
21 Notwithstanding that he knew this full well, yet nevertheless he had assisted the house of Saul, and resisted or opposed David. See also verse 18.
10To translatec the kingdom from the house of Saul, and 22to set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from 23Dan even to Beer-sheba.
c transfer*
22 Or, establishing.
23 These were the uttermost borders of Canaan. Dan in the North, and Beer-sheba in the South. See 1 Kings 4 on verse 25.
11And 24he could not answer Abner a word again, because he 25feared him.
24 Ishbosheth.
25 Fearing, if he would be treated more roughly, in good earnest he would do what he only seemed to threaten in his passion; and that in regard of his power and the authority which he had; verse 6.
12¶And Abner sent messengers to David 26on his behalf, saying, 27Whose is the land? saying also, Make thy league with me, and, behold, my hand shall be with thee, to bring about all Israel unto thee.
26 Or, in his stead; that is, instead of coming himself, or, in his own name, but not in the name of king Ishbosheth or of the kingdom. Other, instead of that: that is, therefore, in that respect, regard.
27 As if he would say: The kingdom of Israel’s land belongs indeed to no man, but to thee, to whom it was promised by God.
13¶And 28he said, 29Well; I will make a league with thee: but one thing I require of thee, 30that is, Thou shalt not see my 31face, except thou first bring 32Michal Saul’s daughter, when thou comest to see my face.
28 David.
29 Or, It is well, it is good; that is, your proposal pleases me well, I accept it.
30 That is, namely this, etc.
31 Compare Gen. 43:3.
32 David’s first wife, of whom the Scripture witnesses that she loved him, and had been faithful to him, 1 Sam. 18:20, 28; 19:11, 12.
14And David sent 33messengers to Ish-bosheth Saul's son, saying, Deliver me my wife Michal, which I espoused to me ford an 34hundred foreskins of the Philistines.
33 Thus to give occasion to Abner to fulfill his promise without the least suspicion of Ishbosheth.
d 1 Sam. 18:25, 27.
34 According to Saul’s agreement, who by that means thought to have destroyed David by the hands of the Philistines. See 1 Sam. 18:25, 27.
1535And Ish-bosheth sent, and 36took her from her husband, even frome37Phaltiel the son of Laish.
35 Without a doubt, being overruled and persuaded by Abner, whom through fear he durst deny nothing.
36 That is, caused her to be taken by the messengers sent by him.
e 1 Sam. 25:44.
37 Called also Phalti, to whom Saul gave this Michael to wife after David was fled; 1 Sam. 25:44.
16And her husband went with her along weeping behind her to 38Bahurim. Then said Abner unto him, Go, return. And he returned.
38 Situated in Benjamin, 2 Sam. 19:16, close by the borders of Judah, as the maps do show.
17¶And Abner had 39communication with the elders of Israel, saying, Ye sought for David 40in times past to be king over you:
39 Hebr. Abner’s word (or, dealing, advise) was, or, had been with, etc. Compare Num. 31:16; 1 Kings 1:7.
40 Hebr. also yesterday, also before yesterday.
18Now then do it: for the LORD hath spoken of David, saying, By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies.
19And Abner 41also spake in the ears of Benjamin: and Abner went also to 42speak in the ears of David in Hebron all that seemed good to Israel, and that seemed good to the 43whole house of Benjamin.
41 As he had done with the elders of Israel.
42 To report unto David all that Israel, and especially Benjamin, had found good and had declared.
43 Understand the greatest part; for many were as yet attached to the house of Saul, because Saul came of the tribe of Benjamin. See 1 Sam. 9:16; 10:20, 21; 1 Chron. 12:29, and compare this phrase with Mat. 3:5, and Philip. 2:21, etc.
20So Abner came to David to Hebron, and twenty men with him. And David made Abner and the men that were with him a feast.
21And Abner said unto David, I will arise and go, and will gather all Israel unto my lord the king, that they may make a league with thee, and that thou mayest reign 44over all that thine heart desireth. And David sent Abner away; and he went in peace.
44 Or, according to all, or, altogether as, etc.; that is, according to the wish of your heart.
22¶And, behold, the servants of David and Joab came from pursuing a 45troop, and brought in a great spoil with them: but Abner was not with David in Hebron; for he had sent him away, and he was gone in peace.
45 Or, a band, a company of looting soldiers, whom they had overtaken and plundered.
23When Joab and all the host that was with him were come, they told Joab, saying, Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he hath sent him away, and he is gone in peace.
24Then Joab came to the king, and said, What hast thou done? behold, Abner came unto thee; why is it that thou hast sent him away, and he is 46quite gone?
46 Hebr. going is gone.
25Thou knowest Abner the son of Ner, that he came to 47deceive thee, and to know 48thy going out and thy coming in, and to know all that thou doest.
47 To persuade and to seduce you with flattering words. See Judges 14 on verse 15.
48 That is, your action and behavior, your governmental management both at home and abroad. See Deut. 28 on verse 6.
26And when Joab was come out from David, he sent 49messengers after Abner, which brought him again from the 50well of Sirah: but David knew it not.
49 As if the king had yet something further to say to him; although it was without the king’s knowledge, as follows.
50 Or, fountain, or, well; pit, or, pool of Sirah; located northward of Hebron, close by the way that goes from Hebron to Jerusalem and Benjamin, as the maps do show.
27And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joabf took him aside in the gate to speak with him 51quietly, and smote him there under the 52fifth rib, that he died, forg the 53blood of Asahel his brother.
f 1 Kings 2:5.
51 Or, peaceful, as if he had something to tell him in a confident manner, secretly and in private.
52 As 2 Sam. 2:23.
g 2 Sam. 2:23.
53 That is, from the murder, which he had committed on his brother Asahel: verse 30; 2 Sam. 2:23. See Gen. 4:9, 10.
28¶And afterward when David heard it, he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless 54before the LORD for ever from the 55blood of Abner the son of Ner:
54 Hebr. 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.
55 Hebr. bloods; as Gen. 4:9, 10, etc.
29Let 56it rest on the head of Joab, and on all his father's house; and let there not 57fail from the house of Joab one that hath an 58issue, or that is a leper, or that leaneth 59on a staff, or that falleth on the sword, or that lacketh bread.
56 Namely, blood; see Judges 9 on verse 24.
57 That is, let there be ever in Joab’s house some person that is subject and liable to these plagues, or some of them.
58 See Lev. 15:2, etc.
59 That is, is unhealthy, weak, feeble, or lame.
30So Joab and 60Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the 61battle.
60 Hence it appears that Abishai was privy to and advised this murder; though he is not named in the foregoing verses.
61 And consequently not in a murderous way, as Joab had done Abner. See 2 Sam. 2:20, 21, 22, 23.
31¶And David said to Joab, and to all the people that were with him, 62Rend your clothes, and gird you with 63sackcloth, and mourn 64before Abner. And king David himself followed the 65bier.
62 See Gen. 37 on verse 29.
63 See Gen. 37 on verse 34.
64 That is, before the corpse, as is declared in the following words. Compare Luke 7:14.
65 Or, corpse. Hebr. bed, that is, wherein Abner lay and was carried.
32And they buried Abner in Hebron: and the king lifted up his voice, and wept at the grave of Abner; and all the people wept.
33And the king lamented over Abner, and said, 66Died Abner as a fool dieth?
66 As if he had said: Is it not a sad thing that such a valiant hero had to lose his life in such a piteous way, as if he had been one of the vilest person, or someone who shall foolishly permit himself to be murdered without any resistance at all. But (David would say) that shall in no wise obscure his military praise.
3467Thy hands were not bound, nor thy feet put into fetters: as a man falleth before 68wicked men, so fellest thou. And all the people wept 69again over him.
67 David intimated that Joab would have found out that he had to deal with a soldier who could use both hands and feet if he had fought with him hand to hand.
68 Or, sons of perverseness, iniquity, craftiness, as 2 Sam. 7:10; that is, most perverse men. Whereby David openly rebukes Joab and his brother thoroughly, and upbraids them with that base and shameful murder. Touching the phrase (children, or, sons of perverseness) the same is often elsewhere used in the Holy Scripture. Also children of Belial; that is, of vice, or looseness, obstinacy, Deut. 13:13; children of transgression, Isa. 57:4; children of disobedience, Eph. 2:2; children of darkness, 1 Thes. 5:5, as on the contrary, children of courage, or, valor, 2 Sam. 2:7; children of light, Eph. 5:8, and the like. Compare 2 Sam. 12 on verse 5.
69 Or, more. Hebr. all the people went on, or, added to weep over him.
35And when all the people came to cause David to eat 70meat while it was yet day, David sware, saying, 71So do God to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or ought else, till the sun 72be down.
70 That is, to exhort or persuade him to take some victuals to refresh and strengthen himself with meat.
71 As verse 9.
72 For such was the manner of a correct fast, that they abstained from all manner of food whatsoever until evening; as 2 Sam. 1:12, etc.
36And all the people took notice of it, and it 73pleased them: as whatsoever the king did pleased all the people.
73 That is, it pleased the people well.
37For all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not 74of the king to slay Abner the son of Ner.
74 That is, that it was in no wise the king’s counsel and will.
38And the king said unto his servants, Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man 75fallen this day in Israel?
75 And that consequently the murderer of such a person, for an example to others, ought to be severely punished?
39And I am this day 76weak, though 77anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah be 78too hard for me: 79the LORD shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness.
76 That is, I am yet inferior in power. A comparison taken from a young child.
77 That is, I am yet weak and young in my kingdom. I am indeed anointed by Samuel unto king over all Israel, but have yet indeed and in truth no tribe under me but Judah only.
78 That is, mightier, stronger, or firmer, that I would dare, or be able to punish them, according to the desert, in regard of the great sway and respect they bear among the soldiery. Thus David (who had so many evidences of God’s gracious help and assistance) seems to have yielded too much to political considerations and to human fear, delaying the punishment till better opportunity, which he has yet not found nor performed in his lifetime, finally commanding the vengeance to his son Solomon; 1 Kings 2:5.
79 While I am at present in want of power, the Almighty God shall therefore punish him, or grant me yet the power to do it, or cause it to be done. See the beginning hereof, 2 Sam. 19:13, the progress, 1 Kings 2:5, 6, and the complete execution (of it), 1 Kings 2:34.