CONTENTS
The account of the struggle on the part of Saul's family for the
kingdom with David, is continued in this Chapter. A quarrel takes
place between Ishbosheth and Abner. The latter makes overtures to
David. David's treaty with him. Abner, while attempting to bring over
Israel to David's inter... [ Continue Reading ]
(2) And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was
Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; (3) 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; (4) And the
fourth, Adonijah the son of Hagg... [ Continue Reading ]
(6) 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. (7) В¶ 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'... [ Continue Reading ]
(12) 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.
Who should have thought at the onset of Ishbosheth's being set up as
king against David, that the ver... [ Continue Reading ]
(13) 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.
(14) And David sent messengers to Ishbosheth Saul's son, saying,
Deliver me my wife Michal, w... [ Continue Reading ]
(15) And Ishbosheth sent, and took her from her husband, even from
Phaltiel the son of Laish. (16) And her husband went with her along
weeping behind her to Bahurim. Then said Abner unto him, Go, return.
And he returned.
There is somewhat affecting in this relation. Michal must have been
dear to Ph... [ Continue Reading ]
(17) And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, Ye
sought for David in times past to be king over you: (18) 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 h... [ Continue Reading ]
(20) 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. (21) 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 a... [ Continue Reading ]
(22) В¶ 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. (23) When Joab and all the host that was with him were
come, they told Joab, saying, Abn... [ Continue Reading ]
(26) 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. (27) 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 d... [ Continue Reading ]
(28) And afterward when David heard it, he said, I and my kingdom are
guiltless before the LORD forever from the blood of Abner the son of
Ner: (29) 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 lepe... [ Continue Reading ]
(30) So Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had slain
their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.
It should seem that Abishai was privy to the deed of Joab. Paul
considered himself as guilty of Stephen's death, because he was
standing by, and consenting to it. Acts 22:20.... [ Continue Reading ]
(31) 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. (32) And they buried
Abner in Hebron: and the king lifted up his voice, and wept at the
grave of Abner; and all the... [ Continue Reading ]
(38) And the king said unto his servants, Know ye not that there is a
prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel? (39) 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.
What D... [ Continue Reading ]
REFLECTIONS
THIS whole chapter, except what the first verse of it teacheth, serves
to show the Reader and Writer what a mass of treachery, deceit, and
evil, the human heart is made up of. Alas! alas! what a state is man
reduced to by the fall. Oh! blessed Jesus, how is thy glorious
redemption-work... [ Continue Reading ]