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Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 20:3

3. the king took the ten women his concubines—Jewish writers say that the widowed queens of Hebrew monarchs were not allowed to marry again but were obliged to pass the rest of their lives in strict seclusion. David treated his concubines in the same manner after the outrage committed on them by Absalom. They were not divorced, for they were guiltless; but they were no longer publicly recognized as his wives; nor was their confinement to a sequestered life a very heavy doom, in a region where... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 2 Samuel 20:1-22

The rebellion of Sheba 20:1-22"The account of Sheba’s rebellion against David serves as a counterpoise to the story of Absalom’s conspiracy (2 Samuel 15:1-12) in chapters 15-20, which constitute the major part of the narrative that comprises chapters 13-20 (more precisely, 2 Samuel 13:1 to 2 Samuel 20:22), the longest definable literary section of the Court History of David (chs. 9-20 . . .)." [Note: Youngblood, p. 1042.] Not all the people of Israel followed David. Some lined up behind Sheba,... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 20:1-26

The Rebellion of ShebaSheba takes advantage of the jealousy of the men of Israel to begin a rebellion, which, but for the prompt action of Joab, might have resulted in a disruption between Israel and Judah. During this expedition Amasa is murdered by Joab. The chapter concludes with a list of David’s officers.This chapter evidently continues the narrative of the concluding vv. of the preceding. During the period of the Judges, Ephraim had been the leading tribe and they could not brook to see... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 2 Samuel 20:3

(3) Living in widowhood.—This was the necessary result, under the system of polygamy, of what had happened. The clause may be understood as “in widowhood of life,” as in our version, or “in widowhood of the living,” i.e., while their husband was living, as in the Chaldee. read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - 2 Samuel 20:1-26

Spiritual Health 2 Samuel 20:9 There may be a healthy soul in a sickly body. But often within a sound body there is an unsound heart. I. The Characteristics of a Healthy Disciple. (1) A cheerful countenance. (2) A good appetite. 'Hunger and thirst after righteousness.' (3) Moral strength. (4) Great powers of endurance. (5) Buoyant spirits. II. The Causes of Soul-sickness. (1) Contagion. Evil company. But much depends on our previous state of health. We may be predisposed to certain... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 20:1-26

3CHAPTER XXVII.THE INSURRECTION OF SHEBA.2 Samuel 19:41-43; 2 Samuel 20:1-26.DAVID was now virtually restored to his kingdom; but he had not even left Gilgal when fresh troubles began. The jealousy between Judah and Israel broke out in spite of him. The cause of complaint was on the part of the ten tribes; they were offended at not having been waited for to take part in escorting the king to Jerusalem. First, the men of Israel, in harsh language, accused the men of Judah of having stolen the... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - 2 Samuel 20:1-26

10. The Revolt of Sheba CHAPTER 20 1. Sheba’s revolt (2 Samuel 20:1-2 ) 2. The ten concubines shut up (2 Samuel 20:3 ) 3. Amasa’s failure (2 Samuel 20:4-6 ) 4. Joab and the death of Amasa (2 Samuel 20:7-13 ) 5. Joab, the wise woman and the death of Sheba (2 Samuel 20:14-22 ) 6. David’s officials (2 Samuel 20:23-26 ) The final revolt in David’s reign was headed by a wicked man, whose name was Sheba. Israel sided with him, probably as the result of the dissension recorded at the... read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 20:1-26

Satan is always ready to take advantage of such occasions among God's people, and he had a man there of worthless, ambitious character, Sheba, the son of Bichri was actually a Benjamite, not from any of the other ten tribes, but he saw an opportunity to exalt himself. Blowing a trumpet, he made the bold declaration, "We have no part in David, nor do we have inheritance in the son of Jesse; every man to his tents, 0 Israel!" Since the Israelites were already incensed against Judah, Sheba's... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 20:1-26

BRINGING BACK THE KING AN OVERZEALOUS SE RV ANT (2 Samuel 19:1-8 ) Joab was to David what Bismarck was to King William. He had the same iron in his blood, but sometimes, like the latter, he overdid things. The kaiser was glad to be rid of Bismarck, and Joab’s conduct towards David is preparing the way for his successor. Those were too strong words he used in 2 Samuel 19:7 , and show the power he assumed over the army. A BACKWARD PEOPLE (2 Samuel 19:9-15 ) Judah, the king’s tribe,... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - 2 Samuel 20:1-26

2 Samuel 20:0 FROM the conclusion of the nineteenth chapter we learn that the tribe of Judah, being deeply moved by the course which David had pursued, and full of affection towards the king, had united generally in completing his restoration. The other tribes who had proposed to return to their allegiance probably had not had time to take part in the present action, or may indeed have been almost wholly ignorant of it, which gave Shimei, with his one thousand Benjamites and some others, an... read more

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