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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 3:7-21

Here, I. Abner breaks with Ish-bosheth, and deserts his interest, upon a little provocation which Ish-bosheth unadvisedly gave him. God can serve his own purposes by the sins and follies of men. 1. Ish-bosheth accused Abner of no less a crime than debauching one of his father's concubines, 2 Sam. 3:7. Whether it was so or no does not appear, nor what ground he had for the suspicion: but, however it was, it would have been Ish-bosheth's prudence to be silent, considering how much it was his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 3:13

And he said, well, I will make a league with thee ,.... He accepted of the offer, he was ready and willing to enter into a covenant of friendship with him, and forgive all past offences: but one thing I require of thee ; as the condition of this covenant: that is, thou shall not see my face ; be admitted into my presence, or have any mark of my favour and respect: except thou first bring Michal, Saul's daughter, when thou comest to see my face ; he insisted on it that Michal,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 3:13

Except thou first bring Michal - David had already six wives at Hebron; and none of them could have such pretensions to legitimacy as Michal, who had been taken away from him and married to Phaltiel. However distressing it was to take her from a husband who loved her most tenderly, (see 2 Samuel 3:16 ;), yet prudence and policy required that he should strengthen his own interest in the kingdom as much as possible; and that he should not leave a princess in the possession of a man... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 3:12-16

( BAHURIM .) A domestic episode. Michal was the first wife of David ( 1 Samuel 19:11-17 ). Of her he had been deprived when he fled from the court of Saul; she was given to Phaltiel (Phalti), the son of Laish, of Gallim ( 1 Samuel 25:44 ), by her father, perhaps as a piece of policy, to attach him to his house, and they lived together for many years, apparently in much domestic comfort. We have here— I. AN INJURED HUSBAND DEMANDING HIS JUST RIGHT . "Well; I will... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 3:12-21

The facts are: 1 . Abner, disgusted with Ishbosheth's conduct, opens negotiation with David for the transfer of the kingdom to him. 2 . David consents to discuss the question on condition that Abner first of all undertakes to restore unto him Michal, Saul's daughter. 3 . Concurrent with Abner's efforts to bring this to pass, David makes a demand on Ishbosheth for the restoration of Michal. 4 . Abner, taking charge of Michal on her return to David, effects the final separation... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 3:13

Except thou first bring Michal. Besides David's affection for Michal, there were political reasons for demanding her restoration. Saul's despotic act in giving her in marriage to another man ( 1 Samuel 25:44 ) had been a public disavowal of David as the son-in-law of the royal house, and equivalent to a proclamation of outlawry. David's rights were all declared null by such an act. But now Ishbosheth must with equal publicity reverse his father's deed, and restore to David his lost... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 3:13

David’s motive in requiring the restitution of Michal was partly his affection for her, and his memory of her love for him; partly the wish to wipe out the affront put upon him in taking away his wife, by obtaining her return; and partly, also, a politic consideration of the effect on Saul’s partisans of a daughter of Saul being David’s queen. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 3:13

2 Samuel 3:13. 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 his marrying another had alienated it, and also testified his respect to the house of Saul. “David did right in making this stipulation; for, whatever may be said of his other wives,... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 3:2-39

End of the line of Saul (3:2-4:12)On becoming king of Judah, David followed the pattern of neighbouring kings by taking a number of wives (2-5). (For the more important people of David’s family and relatives see the appendix at the end of the commentary on 2 Samuel.) Meanwhile Abner became so powerful among Ishbosheth’s supporters, that Ishbosheth accused him of trying to gain the throne for himself. (According to an eastern custom, one way a person signified his claim to the throne was by... read more

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