2 Samuel 2:1-11

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:9

And he made him king over Gilead ,.... Which lay beyond Jordan, and included the tribes of Gad and Reuben, and the half tribe of Manasseh; these he prevailed upon to acknowledge Ishbosheth, their king, and proclaimed him king over them: and over the Ashurites : that is, those of the house or tribe of Asher, as the Targum, and indeed none else can well be thought of; some indeed read the Geshurites, as the Vulgate Latin version; but these were never expelled by the Israelites, and had at... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:10

Ishbosheth, Saul's son, was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel ,.... Being born the same year his father began to reign. See Gill on 1 Samuel 31:6 , and reigned two years ; which some understand of these, and no more; and whereas David reigned seven years and a half over Judah, before he reigned over all Israel, it is thought by the Jewish chronologer F3 Seder Olam Rabba, c. 13. p. 37. that there was a vacancy in the throne of Israel for the space of five years,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:11

And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah ,.... And over them only: was seven years and six months ; to which being added thirty three years he reigned over all Israel in Jerusalem, made forty years and six months; and which, for the roundness of the number, is usually called forty years. See 2 Samuel 5:4 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 2:1

David inquired of the Lord - By means of Abiathar the priest; for he did not know whether the different tribes were willing to receive him, though he was fully persuaded that God had appointed him king over Israel. Unto Hebron - The metropolis of the tribe of Judah, one of the richest regions in Judea. The mountains of Hebron were famed for fruits, herbage, and honey; and many parts were well adapted for vines, olives, and different kinds of grain, abounding in springs of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 2:4

Anointed David king - He was anointed before by Samuel, by which he acquired jus ad regnum , a right To the kingdom; by the present anointing he had jus in regno , authority Over the kingdom. The other parts of the kingdom were, as yet, attached to the family of Saul. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 2:5

David sent messengers unto - Jabesh-gilead - This was a generous and noble act, highly indicative of the grandeur of David's mind. He respected Saul as his once legitimate sovereign; he loved Jonathan as his most intimate friend. The former had greatly injured him, and sought his destruction; but even this did not cancel his respect for him, as the anointed of God, and as the king of Israel. This brings to my remembrance that fine speech of Saurin, when speaking of the banishment of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 2:7

Now let your hands be strengthened - David certainly wished to attach the men of Jabesh to his interest; he saw that they were generous and valiant, and must be of great service to him whose part they espoused; and he was no doubt afraid that they would attach themselves to the house of Saul, in consideration of the eminent services Saul had rendered them in rescuing them from Nahash, king of the Ammonites. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 2:8

Abner the son of Ner - This man had long been one of the chief captains of Saul's army, and commander-in-chief on several occasions; he was probably envious of David's power, by whom he had often been out-generalled in the field. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 2:9

Made him king over Gilead - These were places beyond Jordan; for as the Philistines had lately routed the Israelites, they were no doubt in possession of some of the principal towns, and were now enjoying the fruits of their victory. Abner was therefore afraid to bring the new king to any place where he was likely to meet with much resistance, till he had got his army well recruited. Who the Ashurites were is not generally agreed; probably men of the tribe of Ashur. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 2:10

Ish-bosheth - reigned two years - It is well observed that Ish-bosheth reigned all the time that David reigned in Hebron, which was seven years and six months. Perhaps the meaning of the writer is this: Ish-bosheth reigned two years before any but the tribe of Judah had attached themselves to the interest of David. Some think that Abner in effect reigned the last five years of Ish-bosheth, who had only the name of king after the first two years. Or the text may be understood thus: When... read more

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