2 Samuel 2-3

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:26

Knowest thou not that it will be bitterness in the latter end! The Vulgate renders this, "Art thou not aware that desperation is dangerous?" This is a very obvious truth, but probably Abner had in his mind something more statesmanlike. The struggle was for the empire over all Israel, and whoever won would be king over both sides. But every man slain meant a blood feud, which would continue even after the kingdom was united; and Abner probably felt that his own slaughter of Asahel that day... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:26

Longing for the cessation of wars. "Shall the sword devour forever?" This exclamation of Abner respecting the pursuit of his discomfited troops by the conquering troops of Joab, has often been uttered in respect to war in general. As so employed it expresses horror of war, and impatient longing for its final termination. I. THE QUESTION . The feelings which it indicates are excited in view of: 1 . The nature of war. The mutual slaughter of each other by those who are... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:29

And Abner and his men walked all that night . At the end of the chapter we learn that Joab did the same. Each army had about twenty-six miles to march, and the night was less exhausting for a long walk than the day. As soon, then, as Abner saw Joab and his men occupied with the removal of Asahel's body, he withdrew from the hill of Ammah, and, passing through the Arabah, or plain of Jordan, crossed the river by the same ford which he had used when starting on his unfortunate errand, and so... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:30-31

Nineteen men … three hundred and three score men. Though David's "mighties," as they were called, excelled in the use of arms, yet the disparity of numbers is remarkable; for the Benjamites were also famous warriors. We can only account for it by the superiority of the tactics of Joab, who was a man of consummate military skill, and who knew both how to gain a victory and how to use the advantage which the pursuers have over the pursued to the full. If we sometimes wonder that David endured... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:30-32

( GIBEON , BETHLEHEM , HEBRON .) The sorrows of victory. "What a glorious thing must be a victory, sir!" it was remarked to the Duke of Wellington. "The greatest tragedy in the world," he replied, "except a defeat" ('Recollections,' by S. Rogers). The rejoicing by which it is attended, is usually mingled with weeping and sometimes swallowed up of grief. Various persons are thus affected for various reasons. Think of the sorrows endured: 1 . At the fall of fellow soldiers. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:32

The sepulchre of his father, which was in Bethlehem. The Name of Zeruiah's husband is never mentioned, but he was evidently of the same town as his wife, and at his death, when probably still young, he had received honourable sepulture. As Bethlehem is about eleven miles distant from Gideon, Joab probably marched thither straight from the battlefield, anti spent the next day in paying the last tribute of respect to his brother, and in refreshing his men. At nightfall he resumed his march to... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 2:1

Enquired of the Lord - Through Abiathar, the high priest. The death of Saul and Jonathan had entirely changed David’s position, and therefore he needed divine guidance how to act under the new circumstances in which he was placed. Compare the marginal references.Hebron was well suited for the temporary capital of David’s kingdom, being situated in a strong position in the mountains of Judah, amidst David’s friends, and withal having especially sacred associations (see the marginal references... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 2:4

David had already been anointed by Samuel 1 Samuel 16:13. His first anointing indicated God’s secret purpose, his second the accomplishment of that purpose. (Compare the case of Saul, 1 Samuel 10:1; 1 Samuel 11:14.) David was anointed again king over Israel 2 Samuel 5:3. The interval between the anointing of the Lord Jesus as the Christ of God, and His taking to Himself His kingdom and glory, seems to be thus typified. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 2:8

Mahanaim - See Genesis 32:2. From 2 Samuel 2:12 it would seem to have been Ish-bosheth’s capital. read more

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