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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 20:4-13

We have here Amasa's fall just as he began to rise. He was nephew to David (2 Sam. 17:25), had been Absalom's general and commander-in-chief of his rebellious army, but, that being routed, he came over into David's interest, upon a promise that he should be general of his forces instead of Joab. Sheba's rebellion gives David an occasion to fulfil his promise sooner than he could wish, but Joab's envy and emulation rendered its fulfillment of ill consequence both to him and David. I. Amasa has... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 20:6

And David said to Abishai ,.... For it seems he would have nothing to say to Joab, being displeased with him for slaying Absalom, and having removed him from his posts; and therefore speaks to the next officer in his army, Abishai; though Josephus F16 Antiqu. l. 7. c. 11. sect. 6. says, he addressed himself to Joab, contrary to the express words of the text: now shall Sheba the son of Bichri do us more harm than did Absalom ; gain a greater party, and give more trouble to subdue... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 20:7

And there went out after him Joab's men ,.... Who though he was removed from his post as general, yet might still have the command of a regiment: and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites ; over whom Benaiah was, 2 Samuel 20:23 ; these attended David in his flight, and had now returned with him, 2 Samuel 15:18 , and all the mighty men ; the military men that were at Jerusalem as many as could be spared: and they went out of Jerusalem to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri ;... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 20:1-13

The facts are: 1 . Among the men who discuss the question of priority with Judah is a worthless man named Sheba, and he raises the cry of revolt against David, and the men of Israel follow him, while those of Judah cleave to the king. 2 . David enters his house and makes arrangement for the sustenance of his concubines, who henceforth live in virtual widowhood. 3 . David, observing that Amasa was tardy in executing his orders to gather the men of Judah, directs Abishai to go out... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 20:4-13

( GIBEON .) The murder of Amasa. "And Amasa took no heed to the sword that was in Joab's hand" ( 2 Samuel 20:10 ). Amasa (son of Abigail, David's sister, and Jether an Ishmaelite, and first cousin of Joab, 2 Samuel 17:25 ) joined Absalom in his rebellion; and must have been a man of great ability, courage, and influence, from the fact that he was appointed by him "captain of the host instead of Joab," and afterwards promised by David the same post ( 2 Samuel 19:13 ). This promise... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 20:6

David said to Abishai. David thus gives the command to the younger brother, and we find in 2 Samuel 20:7 that even "Joab's men," his own special troop, were placed under Abishai's command. There seems always to have been a firm friendship between the brothers, and at first Joab acquiesces. The king was, in fact, in so grim a humour that he probably felt that he had better keep with his men, who would protect him, instead of remaining at Jerusalem, where he would be in David's power. When... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 20:7

There went out after him— that is, under Abishai's command— Joab's men. The men who formed his regular attendants, and to whose number belonged the ten armour bearers who slew Absalom ( 2 Samuel 18:15 ). Joab retained their command, and probably they would not have served under any other person. It is evident from the enumeration in this verse that the "men of Judah," after escorting David to Jerusalem, had all dispersed to their own homes. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 20:6

To Abishai - Probably, as the king was on bad terms with Joab, and wished to deprive him of his post as Captain of the host, he gave his orders to Abishai, and weakly connived at the execution of them by Joab, which was inevitable. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 20:6-7

2 Samuel 20:6-7. Then David said to Abishai Not to Joab; lest by this means he should recover his place, and Amasa be discontented, and David’s fidelity in making good his promise to Amasa be questioned. Now shall Sheba do us more harm than Absalom If he have time to gather an army; the people being highly incensed by the provocation which the men of Judah had given them. Take thy lord’s servants The guards that attended David, and the standing forces which were always kept in... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 20:1-26

Sheba’s revolt (20:1-26)With virtually the whole nation in a state of unrest, Sheba, a Benjaminite, seized the opportunity to try to lead the northern tribes to break away from David (20:1-2). Being anxious to re-establish his kingdom in Jerusalem, David did not leave the city but sent his new commander-in-chief Amasa to assemble the army and pursue Sheba (3-4).When Amasa was slow in assembling the army, David sent off his private army, the fighting force that had been with him since the days... read more

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