_A.M. 2951. B.C. 1053._ David's success and sons, 2 Samuel 3:1. Abner's quarrel with Ish-bosheth, 2 Samuel 3:6. His treaty with David, 2 Samuel 3:12. He undertakes to bring Israel over to David, 2 Samuel 3:17. Joab murders Abner, 2 Samuel 3:22. David's concern and mourning over him, 2 Samuel 3:28.... [ Continue Reading ]
_There was long war_ For five years longer: for it is probable Ish-bosheth was made king immediately upon Saul's death; and the other tribes did not submit to David before seven years were expired. _Between the house of Saul and the house of David_ Their enmity continuing throughout the whole reign... [ Continue Reading ]
_Unto David sons were born of Ahinoam_ He had no children, it seems, by this wife during his exile; or if he had, they were daughters. _The daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur_ A part of Syria, northward from the land of Israel. How David came by this wife it is not easy to say. Perhaps he married he... [ Continue Reading ]
_By Eglah, David's wife_ This is added, either because she was of obscure parentage, and was known by no other title but her relation to David: or, because this was his first and most proper wife, best known by her other name of Michal, who, though she had no child by David after she scoffed at him... [ Continue Reading ]
_Abner made himself strong_, &c. He used his utmost endeavours to support Saul's house, going up and down through all the tribes of Israel to strengthen Ish-bosheth's interest, and confirm the people in their allegiance to him: which is mentioned to show the reason of Abner's deep resentment of the... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wherefore hast thou gone in unto my father's concubine?_ It was then looked upon as a very great crime for any man, though never so great, to marry the relict of the king; for it was esteemed an affectation of the kingdom; as appears in the case of Adonijah.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then was Abner very wroth_ He accounted his merits so great, and was become so haughty, that he thought he might do any thing without reprehension; _and said, Am I a dog's head?_ So contemptible a person that thou thinkest it a disgrace to thy family for me to have intercourse with thy father's con... [ Continue Reading ]
_As the Lord hath sworn to David_ These words show clearly that Abner knew very well God had resolved to bestow the kingdom of Israel upon David; and yet he had hitherto opposed it with all his might, from a principle of ambition. That is, he had all this while fought against his own knowledge and c... [ Continue Reading ]
_To translate the kingdom from the house of Saul_ A wonderful change, which the study of revenge had wrought in him, that he who so lately had gone about the country confirming the Israelites in their opposition to David, now resolved to bring them all over to him! But here we see the hand of God. P... [ Continue Reading ]
_He could not answer Abner a word_ Being thunderstruck with so unexpected a declaration. If he had had the spirit of a man, especially of a prince, he might have answered him, that his merits were the aggravation of his crimes; that he would not be served by so ill a man, and that he doubted not but... [ Continue Reading ]
_And Abner sent messengers to David_ Having thus incensed his master, he judged it not safe to delay the execution of what he had threatened. Yet he thought it neither safe nor prudent to go himself to David till he had tried his inclinations by messengers, whom he sent privately to treat with him a... [ Continue Reading ]
_And he said, Well; I will make a league with thee_ David agreed to enter into a treaty with him, but upon condition that he procured the restitution of Michal his wife. Hereby David both showed the sincerity of his conjugal affection to his first and most rightful wife, from whom neither her nor hi... [ Continue Reading ]
_David sent messengers to Ish-bosheth_ We are not informed what answer Abner gave to David when he required the forementioned condition of him. But it is probable he let him know, as the truth was, that it was not in his power to bring Michal to him without Ish-bosheth's consent, whose sister, as we... [ Continue Reading ]
_Ish-bosheth sent and took her from Phaltiel_ This was an honourable action of Ish-bosheth to restore David his lawful wife. _Her husband went with her along weeping_ “Mr. Bayle,” says Delaney, “considers it as great cruelty in David to ravish her from a husband who loved her so well; that is, he th... [ Continue Reading ]
_And Abner_ Having seen David, and given him assurance of his fidelity, as David had him of his friendship; _had communication with the elders of Israel_ He 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. _Saying... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Lord hath spoken By the hand of my servant David_, &c. We nowhere find these words recorded; but it is probable Samuel had often spoken them; at least the sense of them is implied in the words of God to Samuel, when he commanded him to anoint David king over Israel, 1 Samuel 10:1; for the inten... [ Continue Reading ]
_Abner also spake in the ears of Benjamin_ To these he particularly applies himself, because they might be thought most kind to Saul and his house, and most loath to let the kingdom go out of their own tribe; and therefore it was necessary that he should use all his art and power with them, to persu... [ Continue Reading ]
_Abner said, I will gather all Israel unto my lord the king_ How empty and ill founded are the purposes of vain man! Abner, who here promises kingdoms, soon found that he could not ensure to himself one hour of life. David had sent him away, and he departed in peace; but, _Behold, the servants of Da... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then Joab came to the king, and said, What hast thou done?_ Upon hearing what had passed, he immediately went to David, in the pride of his success, and of the great spoil he had taken, to expostulate with him upon the folly of receiving Abner in the manner he had done, and placing any confidence i... [ Continue Reading ]
_When Joab was come out from David_ He seems to have gone out in anger; not staying for an answer. _He sent messengers after Abner_ Probably in the king's name, as if he had something further to communicate to him. For otherwise it is not credible that Abner would have returned. _Joab took him aside... [ Continue Reading ]
_When David heard it, he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless_ Josephus says, he lifted up his hands to God, and, with a loud voice, cried out publicly that God knew he was innocent in this matter; and therefore he trusted God would not let him and his kingdom suffer for it. _And on all his father's... [ Continue Reading ]
_So Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner_ For though Joab only committed the murder, yet Abishai was chargeable with the guilt of it, because it was done with his consent, counsel, and approbation. And he probably was near at hand when the bloody deed was perpetrated, ready to assist Joab if ther... [ Continue Reading ]
_David said to Joab and all the people_, &c. The command was especially given to Joab, to bring him to repentance for his sin, and to expose him to public shame. _Rend your clothes and gird you with sackcloth_, &c. These were all outward expressions of very great sorrow, which Joab himself was force... [ Continue Reading ]
_Died Abner as a fool dieth?_ That is, as a wicked man. Was he cut off by the hand of justice for his crimes? Nothing less; but by Joab's malice and treachery. It is a sad thing to _die as a fool dieth_, as they do that any way shorten their own days; and indeed all they that make no provision for a... [ Continue Reading ]
_All the people came to cause David to eat_ This was agreeable to the usage of the Jews; for when any one died among them, “it was customary with the friends of the family to resort to the house immediately after the funeral, and bring the best provisions they had along with them to support and refr... [ Continue Reading ]
_All the people took notice of it, and it pleased them_ They were satisfied concerning David's integrity, and the sincerity of his sorrow at the death of Abner, and pleased with the honour he had done that great man. _Whatsoever the king did pleased the people_ By this conduct he so ingratiated hims... [ Continue Reading ]
_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, &c., fallen this day in Israel?_ He bids them consider Abner's birth and his power, his authority and his valour, with all his other excellent... [ Continue Reading ]
_And I am this day weak_ Hebrew, רךְ, _rack, tender;_ that is, his kingdom was young, was in its infancy, as we speak, and not well settled and confirmed. The metaphor is taken from a young and tender plant. _And these men_ Joab and Abishai; _the sons of_ my sister _Zeruiah, be too hard for me_ That... [ Continue Reading ]