2 Samuel 20:14-18 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 20:14

And he went through, etc. It was not Joab, but Sheba, who, by David's prompt action, was compelled to make a rapid retreat, seeking help in vain from tribe after tribe, but rejected of all, and unable to make any defence until he had reached the extreme north of the land of Israel. Unto Abel, and to Beth-Maachah. The conjunction probably ought to be omitted, as the proper name of the place, is Abel-beth-Maachah, and it is so given in 2 Samuel 20:15 (see below), and in 1 Kings 15:20 ; ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 20:14-26

The causes and remedies of religious strife. The facts are: 1 . Joab and his forces, pursuing Sheba till they came upon him in the city of Abel, lay siege to it. 2 . A wise woman of the city remonstrates with Joab for attacking the city, and refers to the fact that when Sheba with his armed followers threw themselves into the city, the people felt sure that when the pursuing foes came up they would open negotiations with the authorities, and so bring the conflict to an end. 3 .... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 20:15

It stood in the trench. This is a literal translation, and yet gives a wrong sense. The Hebrew "stood" means "rose up to," "stood level with;" and the "trench" is what in modern fortifications is called "the glacis," and includes the outer wall of defence. The Revised Version renders, "it stood against the rampart." The usual way of capturing cities in ancient times was to cast up a bank or mound of earth against them ( Isaiah 29:3 ; Isaiah 37:33 ; Jeremiah 6:6 ); and Joab's work had... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 20:15-22

( ABEL - BETH - MAACAH .) A peacemaker. "Then cried a wise woman out of the city, Hear! hear?" ( 2 Samuel 20:16 ). 1 . Hard pressed by the forces of Joab, Sheba threw himself into the fortified city of Abel-beth-Maachah (in the northwest extremity of Palestine). The feelings of its inhabitants toward him are not stated. But Joab soon appeared; and, without entering into any negotiations with them, made preparations for attack. "Taking advantage of an oblong knoll of natural... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 20:18

They were wont to speak, etc. The Hebrew literally is, they used to say in old time, They shall surely ask at Abel; and so they finished ( the matter ) . But of these words two completely distinct interpretations are given. The Jewish Targum records the one: "Remember now that which is written in the book of the Law, to ask a city concerning peace at the first. Hast thou done so, to ask of Abel if they will make peace?" The woman, that is, was referring to the command in Deuteronomy... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 20:14

Abel - More commonly called 2 Samuel 20:15 “Abel-Beth-maachah” to distinguish it from other places of the name of “Abel” (a grassy plain). It is represented by the modern Abil-el-Kamh, a Christian village on the northwest of lake Huleh, the ancient Merom. Compare 2 Chronicles 16:4, “Abel-maim,” Abel by the water.And all the Berites - What this means is utterly unknown. Many approve of the reading of the Latin Version, connecting it with what follows: “And all the choice young men mustered and... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 20:15

Cast up a bank - See the marginal references. The throwing up of mounds against the walls of besieged places by the besiegers is well illustrated in the Assyrian sculptures.The trench - The “pomoerium,” or fortified space outside the wall. When the mound was planted in the pomoerium the battering engines were able to approach close to the wall to make a breach. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 20:18

This was an old proverb. Abel, like Teman, and some other places, was once famous for the wisdom of its inhabitants 1 Kings 4:30-31. The wise woman was herself a remnant of this traditional wisdom. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 20:14

2 Samuel 20:14. He went through all the tribes That is, Sheba, who marched from tribe to tribe to stir them up to sedition. Unto Abel, and to Beth- maachah Or rather, unto Abel-beth-maachah, as this place is called in the Hebrew text of the next verse, to distinguish it from other Abels, and to signify that this was that Abel which was in the northern border of Canaan, toward that part of Syria called Maachah, 2 Samuel 10:8. In this city Sheba at last fixed himself, and resolved to... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 20:15

2 Samuel 20:15. They came and besieged him Joab and his army pursued him thither. And cast up a bank They raised a very large mound of earth, equal, probably, to the height of the walls, from whence they might either batter the walls, or throw darts, or shoot at those that defended them. It stood in the trench This bank or mound was carried on so far, that it now stood in or near to the trench and foot of the wall; so that the city was in great danger of being taken. read more

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 20:14

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 20:14-26

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 20:15

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 20:15-22

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 20:18

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 20:14

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 20:15

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 20:18

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 20:14

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 20:15

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