2 Samuel 2:25-27 KJV

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:27

Unless thou hadst spoken, surely then in the morning the people had gone up; or as the Revised Version renders, had gone away, nor followed every man his brother. The Revised Version makes the sense more plain. Joab throws the whole blame, and rightly so, on Abner. David would under no circumstances have attacked Ishbosheth, and Joab with his men had marched to the tank of Gibeon simply to repel an invading force. When there, Joab, doubtless by David's orders, had remained strictly on the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 2:27

Joab’s speech means either “unless thou hadst spoken (challenged us to fight, 2 Samuel 2:14), the people would have returned from the pursuit of their brethren (many hours ago, even) this morning;” or, “If thou hadst not spoken (asked for peace, 2 Samuel 2:26), surely the people would have returned, etc., in the morning, i. e. would not have ceased the pursuit until the morning.” The latter interpretation is the more accordant with Joab’s boastful character. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 2:26

2 Samuel 2:26. Bitterness in the latter end It will produce dreadful effects. In civil wars, as Cicero speaks, ( Familiar Epist., lib. 4.,) all things are miserable, and nothing more miserable than victory itself, which makes the conqueror do many things against his will, to satisfy those by whom he conquers. Joab seems to have been very sensible of this, from his withdrawing his forces so readily from the pursuit. From following their brethren By nation and religion; descended from one... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 2:27

2 Samuel 2:27. Unless thou hadst spoken, &c. Made the motion that they should fight, giving a rash challenge; surely in the morning the people had gone up The armies had parted in peace, without any act of hostility: it was thou, not I, that gave the first occasion of this fight. This plainly shows that Joab’s instructions were not to begin hostilities, and that Abner was the sole cause of the war. Had it not been for him, all things might have been settled by an amicable agreement... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:1-32

Two kings in Israel (2:1-3:1)The Philistines now controlled much of Israel’s territory west of Jordan (see 1 Samuel 31:7). Believing that David was still friendly to them, the Philistines allowed him to become king over Judah in the south, no doubt thinking that this would help to divide and weaken Israel further. The tribes east of Jordan, however, were still free, and David quickly tried to win their support (2:1-7). But Abner (Saul’s army commander and his cousin; see 1 Samuel 14:50) had... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 2 Samuel 2:25

children = sons. read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 2 Samuel 2:27

God. Hebrew. Elohim . App-4 . I (with Art.) spoken. Supply the Ellipsis ( App-6 ) thus: "spoken [the words which caused the provocation], surely". Compare 2 Samuel 2:14 . read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 2 Samuel 2:27

2 Samuel 2:27. And Joab said, as God liveth, &c.— "Unless thou hadst spoken, probably means, unless thou had said, let the young men, &c. 2Sa 2:14 i.e. unless thou hadst provoked me to battle; surely all the people had ceased from following their brethren even from the morning: unless thou hadst drawn on the combat, there had been neither slaughter nor pursuit." Cicero well observes of civil wars, that all things are miserable in them, but victory most miserable of all. Joab seems to... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 2 Samuel 2:12-32

5. The conflict between Abner and Joab 2:12-32Travelers can visit the pool of Gibeon today. It lies about three miles northwest of Gibeah."The pool is a cylindrical shaft thirty-seven feet in diameter and thirty-five feet deep. Its five-feet-wide spiral stairway, which winds downward around the inside wall of the pool in a clockwise direction, continues below the floor level to an additional depth of forty-five feet." [Note: Youngblood, p. 825.] There the forces of Ish-bosheth and David met for... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 2:1-32

David made King over Judah, Ishdosheth over israel. Asahel slain by Abner1. Shall I go up?] The defeat and death of Saul had entirely changed David’s position. He had, for some time to come, nothing to fear from Abner, who was occupied elsewhere (2 Samuel 2:8-9). The Philistines would not molest him, as he was their vassal. But even so, he asks God’s wishes, before he takes the decisive step. Hebron] There were several reasons which rendered Hebron suitable. It was fairly central, was a... read more