2 Samuel 2:8 NIV

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 2 Samuel 2:8

ABNER ELEVATED ISHBOSHETH TO THE KINGSHIP"Now Abner the son of Ner, commander of Saul's army, had taken Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim; and he made him king over Gilead and the Ashurites and Jezreel and Ephraim and Benjamin and all Israel. Ishbosheth, Saul's son, was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and he reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed David. And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 2 Samuel 2:8

2 Samuel 2:8. Abner, the son of Ner— Abner was Saul's general, and near kinsman. Interest and ambition, therefore, and it may be envy too, strongly swayed him against his duty; for it appears sufficiently from the sequel of his history, that he was well acquainted with David's divine designation to the throne. But should he now submit to it, he must no more hope for the supreme command of the army, of which Joab was in possession, and well deserved to be so, as he was a tried friend and near... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 2:8

8-17. Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul's host took Ish-bosheth—Here was the establishment of a rival kingdom, which, however, would probably have had no existence but for Abner. Ish-bosheth—or "Esh-baal" (1 Chronicles 8:33; 1 Chronicles 9:39). The Hebrews usually changed names ending with Baal into Bosheth ("shame") (compare Judges 9:53; 2 Samuel 11:21). This prince was so called from his imbecility. Abner—was first cousin of Saul, commander of the forces, and held in high respect... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 2 Samuel 2:8-11

4. Ish-bosheth’s coronation over Israel 2:8-11David’s overtures to the Jabesh-gileadites were very important. Saul’s commander-in-chief and cousin, Abner, was working to install Saul’s youngest son, Ish-bosheth (called Eshbaal in 1 Chronicles 9:39), Abner’s nephew, as Saul’s successor. This was not a move that Yahweh had ordained (cf. 1 Samuel 13:14). David was God’s anointed. Abner, Saul’s cousin, was simply doing what was customary in the ancient Near East and in the process securing his own... 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

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 2 Samuel 2:8

(8) But Abner the son of Ner.—According to 1 Chronicles 9:36, Ner was the brother of Kish, Saul’s father. Abner was therefore the cousin-german of Saul, and had been made by him the commander in chief of his army (1 Samuel 14:51). He was thus, both by kindred and office, strongly attached to the house of Saul. He had been with Saul in his pursuit of David, and may have resented David’s address to him on that occasion (1 Samuel 26:14-16). There is no statement of the time that had elapsed after... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:1-11

CHAPTER IIBEGINNING OF DAVID’S REIGN AT HEBRON.2 Samuel 2:1-7.THE death of Saul did not end David’s troubles. nor was it for a good many years that he became free to employ his whole energies for the good of the kingdom. It appears that his chastisement for his unbelieving spirit, and for the alliance with Achish to which it led, was not yet completed. The more remote consequences of that step were only beginning to emerge, and years elapsed before its evil influence ceased altogether to be... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - 2 Samuel 2:8-32

3. Abner’s Revolt and the War which Followed CHAPTER 2:8-32 1. Abner makes Ish-bosheth king over Israel (2 Samuel 2:8-11 ) 2. The defeat of Abner (2 Samuel 2:12-17 ) 3. Abner and Joab and Joab’s victory (2 Samuel 2:18-32 ) God’s king began his reign in quietness, and opposition and open revolt followed at once. Abner, who had been the captain of Saul’s host, took a son of Saul by the name of Ish-bosheth and made him king in Gilead. The original name of this son was “Esh-baal,” which... read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 2:1-32

David was by no means in a hurry to take advantage of the situation that had been brought about by Saul's death. Though he had not enquired of the Lord as to going down to king Achish at Gath (1 Samuel 27:1-2), he does enquire now as to leaving Ziklag and returning to Judah. The Lord tell him to do so. Yet in a spirit of felt dependence, he further inquires as to what city. God's answer, "Hebron" is not merely intended to indicate a favorable location. Its name means "communion," which would... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:1-32

DAVID MADE KING LAMENTING THE DEAD (2 Samuel 1:0 ) Surely the harshness and gentleness of David are strangely blended in this chapter. That one should so lament an enemy and slay the man who professed to murder him surpasses ordinary thought; but David was built on a large mould. Of course the Amalekite lied to David, for the inspired record of the death of Saul in the preceding book must be regarded as correct. Observe the motive governing David: “Wast thou not afraid.., to destroy the... read more