Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker. Ver. 1. _Now there was long war._] _Continuo iteratis proeliis:_ there was constant opposition, and continual skirmishing: so there is still... [ Continue Reading ]
And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; Ver. 2. _And unto David were sons born in Hebron._] None born during his exile: a sweet providence. _ And his firstborn was Amnon._] Who was none of the best; as was neither Absalom, Adoniah, &c. _He... [ Continue Reading ]
And his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; Ver. 3. _And his second, Chileab,_] _alias_ Daniel. 1Ch 3:1 By his name he should be like his father: he died early. ‘ Oν φιλει Yεος θνησκειιεος _ An... [ Continue Reading ]
And the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital; Ver. 4. _And the fourth, Adonijah._] This also was one of David's _tres vomicae, tria carcinomata,_ imposthumated ulcers, as Augustus called his three untoward daughters. _ And the fifth, Shephatiah the son o... [ Continue Reading ]
_And the sixth, Ithream, by Eglah David's wife. These were born to David in Hebron._ Ver. 5. Eglah David's wife.] His wife by a specialty: most dearly beloved. _a_ Some make her to be Michel, and her son to be Nathan: but that is not very likely. _ a_ _Praecipua et prima, ac prae aliis dilecta._ -... [ Continue Reading ]
_And it came to pass, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner made himself strong for the house of Saul._ Ver. 6. _Abner made himself strong._] See 2 Samuel 2:8,9 .... [ Continue Reading ]
And Saul had a concubine, whose name [was] Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah: and [Ishbosheth] said to Abner, Wherefore hast thou gone in unto my father's concubine? Ver. 7. _Wherefore hast thou gone in, &c._] Whether this charge were true or false, it appeareth not. But Ishbosheth, belike, suspected th... [ Continue Reading ]
Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Ishbosheth, and said, [Am] I a dog's head, which against Judah do shew kindness this day unto the house of Saul thy father, to his brethren, and to his friends, and have not delivered thee into the hand of David, that thou chargest me to day with a fault co... [ Continue Reading ]
So do God to Abner, and more also, except, as the LORD hath sworn to David, even so I do to him; Ver. 9. _Except, as the Lord hath sworn to David._] What Abner did, then, hitherto for Ishbosheth, he did against his conscience: and now they fall out. Sinful leagues last not long; thieves falling out... [ Continue Reading ]
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 Beersheba. Ver. 10. _To translate the kingdom_] This was Abner's arrogance to boast such great things of himself, as if he had carried a king in his pocket, as that great... [ Continue Reading ]
And he could not answer Abner a word again, because he feared him. Ver. 11. _And he could not answer Abner a word._] Wherein he showed himself to be no less timorous than timerarious. And the truth is he was overpowered and overawed by Abner.... [ Continue Reading ]
And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, Whose [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. Ver. 12. _Whose is the land?_] _q.d., _ Whose but thine, by God's own designation _ Make thy league... [ Continue Reading ]
And he said, Well; I will make a league with thee: but one thing I require of thee, that is, Thou shalt not see my face, except thou first bring Michal Saul's daughter, when thou comest to see my face. Ver. 13. _Except thou first bring Michal._] David's first love, and rightful wife; though wrongfu... [ Continue Reading ]
And David sent messengers to Ishbosheth Saul's son, saying, Deliver [me] my wife Michal, which I espoused to me for an hundred foreskins of the Philistines. Ver. 14. _For a hundred foreskins._] He might have said two hundred; but he thought better to speak with the least. _In maxima sui mole se min... [ Continue Reading ]
_And Ishbosheth sent, and took her from [her] husband, [even] from Phaltiel the son of Laish._ Ver. 15. _And Ishbosheth sent, and took her from her husband._] By his regal authority he rescindeth that unlawful matrimony of Phaltiel with Michal. This was better than that of Leicester in Queen Elizab... [ Continue Reading ]
_And her husband went with her along weeping behind her to Bahurim. Then said Abner unto him, Go, return. And he returned._ Ver. 16. _And her husband went with her along weeping._] Heb., Going and weeping, as having still a month's mind - as we say - to a wife so noble and beautiful. So have many t... [ Continue Reading ]
And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, Ye sought for David in times past [to be] king over you: Ver. 17. _And Abner had communication,_] _i.e., _ He had had communication with them before that he went toward David with Michal. _ Ye sought for David._] And David they had cro... [ Continue Reading ]
Now 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. Ver. 18. _For the Lord hath spoken of David, saying,_] _Sententias loquitur carnifex._ Hypocrites m... [ Continue Reading ]
And Abner also spake in the ears of Benjamin: and Abner went also to speak in the ears of David in Hebron all that seemed good to Israel, and that seemed good to the whole house of Benjamin. Ver. 19. _And Abner also spake in the ears of Benjamin._] Who were Saul's own kindred, and much addicted to... [ Continue Reading ]
So Abner came to David to Hebron, and twenty men with him. And David made Abner and the men that [were] with him a feast. Ver. 20. And David made Abner … a feast] Which some think was not so well done, and the end of this transaction was tragic. _a_ a Pellican. Martyr.... [ Continue Reading ]
And 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 over all that thine heart desireth. And David sent Abner away; and he went in peace. Ver. 21. _I will arise and go, and will gather._]... [ Continue Reading ]
And, behold, the servants of David and Joab came from [pursuing] a troop, 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. Ver. 22. _Joab came from pursuing a troop._] Of foragers and brigands; Philistines likely.... [ Continue Reading ]
When 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. Ver. 23. _They told Joab, saying._] The courtiers; to curry favour.... [ Continue Reading ]
Then 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 quite gone? Ver. 24. _What hast thou done?_] _q.d., _ Thou hast done indiscreetly. Joab was ever too bold, blunt, and boisterous with David, which cost him... [ Continue Reading ]
Thou knowest Abner the son of Ner, that he came to deceive thee, and to know thy going out and thy coming in, and to know all that thou doest. Ver. 25. _That he came to deceive thee._] As a spy and a traitor; so he interpreteth Abner's league, according to his own exulcerate spirit, full of ambitio... [ Continue Reading ]
And when Joab was come out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, which brought him again from the well of Sirah: but David knew [it] not. Ver. 26. _And when Joab was come out from David_] In a great heat, flinging out from his presence: as did likewise Robert, Earl of Essex, once from Queen E... [ Continue Reading ]
_And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth [rib], that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother._ Ver. 27. _To speak with him quietly._] Or, Peaceably, or privately. Tremellius rendereth it _imprudeutem,... [ Continue Reading ]
And afterward when David heard [it], he said, I and my kingdom [are] guiltless before the LORD for ever from the blood of Abner the son of Ner: Ver. 28. _From the blood of Abner._] Heb., Bloods: from every drop of his blood shed when he was slain. David cleareth himself and his kingdom of this cryi... [ Continue Reading ]
Let it rest on the head of Joab, and on all his father's house; and let there not fail from the house of Joab one that hath an issue, or that is a leper, or that leaneth on a staff, or that falleth on the sword, or that lacketh bread. Ver. 29. _Let there not fail from the house of Joab._] This lame... [ Continue Reading ]
So Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle. Ver. 30. _So Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner._] Joab did, but not without the privity and consent of his brother Abishai. Now there is little difference, _faveasve sceleri, an illu... [ Continue Reading ]
And David said to Joab, and to all the people that [were] with him, Rend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. And king David [himself] followed the bier. Ver. 31. _And David said to Joab._] As a part of his punishment. So the Pope forced our Henry II to kneel and pray... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 32. _And they buried Abner in Hebron._] The burial place of the patriarchs. The wicked may be with the saints _in area, sed non in horreo; _ in the floor, but not in the... [ Continue Reading ]
And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth? Ver. 33. _Died Abner as a fool dieth?_] Sept., As Nabal died? Was this a fit death for so gallant a man, to be thus basely butchered? _Est interrogatio indignantis._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thy hands [were] not bound, nor thy feet put into fetters: as a man falleth before wicked men, [so] fellest thou. And all the people wept again over him._ Ver. 34. _Thy hands were not bound._] As one either conquered or condemned. Hadst thou not been treacherously surprised and assassinated, _mani... [ Continue Reading ]
And when all the people came to cause David to eat meat while it was yet day, David sware, saying, So do God to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or ought else, till the sun be down. Ver. 35. _To cause David to eat meat._] They had feasts at funerals, and cups of consolation. Jer 16:7 Eze 24:17... [ Continue Reading ]
And all the people took notice [of it], and it pleased them: as whatsoever the king did pleased all the people. Ver. 36. _Pleased all the people._] This was both hard and happy: a great contentment doubtless to good David. “ Eργμασιν εν μεγαλοις πασιν αδειν, χαλεπον .” - _Theog._... [ Continue Reading ]
_For all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not of the king to slay Abner the son of Ner._ Ver. 37. _That it was not of the king._] This was the end that David aimed at, and attained unto, in the carriage of the whole business. Prudence is usually prosperous.... [ Continue Reading ]
And the king said unto his servants, Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel? Ver. 38. _And the king said unto his servants._] His courtiers and counsellors. _ Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen?_] Lords and losels _scoundrels_ die alike:... [ Continue Reading ]
And I [am] this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah [be] too hard for me: the LORD shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness. Ver. 39. _And I am this day weak._] Heb., Tender; _a_ weak he was in force, but weaker in faith, for he had God's promise: and... [ Continue Reading ]