2 Samuel 2-3

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 2:14

Let the young men - play before us - This was diabolical play, where each man thrust his sword into the body of the other, so that the twenty-four (twelve on each side) fell down dead together! But this was the signal for that sanguinary skirmish which immediately took place. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 2:16

Caught every one his fellow by the head - Probably by the beard, if these persons were not too young to have one, or by the hair of the head. Alexander ordered all the Macedonians to shave their beards; and being asked by Parmenio why they should do so, answered, "Dost thou not know that in battle there is no better hold than the beard?" Helkath-hazzurim - "The portion of the mighty;" or, "The inheritance of those who were slain," according to the Targum. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 2:18

Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe - To be swift of foot was deemed a great accomplishment in the heroes of antiquity; ποδας ωκυς Αχιλλευς , the swift-footed Achilles, is an epithet which Homer gives to that hero no less than thirty times in the course of the Ilias. It has a qualification also among the Roman soldiers; they were taught both to run swiftly, and to swim well. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 2:21

Take thee his armor - It seems Asahel wished to get the armor of Abner as a trophy; this also was greatly coveted by ancient heroes. Abner wished to spare him, for fear of exciting Joab's enmity; but as Asahel was obstinate in the pursuit, and was swifter of foot than Abner, the latter saw that he must either kill or be killed, and therefore he turned his spear and ran it through the body of Asahel. This turning about that he might pierce him is what we translate "the hinder end of his... read more

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