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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:8-17

Here is, I. A rivalship between two kings?David, whom God made king, and Ishbosheth, whom Abner made king. One would have thought, when Saul was slain, and all his sons that had sense and spirit enough to take the field with him, David would come to the throne without any opposition, since all Israel knew, not only how he had signalized himself, but how manifestly God had designated him to it; but such a spirit of contradiction is there, in the devices of men, to the counsels of God, that such... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:10

Ishbosheth, Saul's son, was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel ,.... Being born the same year his father began to reign. See Gill on 1 Samuel 31:6 , and reigned two years ; which some understand of these, and no more; and whereas David reigned seven years and a half over Judah, before he reigned over all Israel, it is thought by the Jewish chronologer F3 Seder Olam Rabba, c. 13. p. 37. that there was a vacancy in the throne of Israel for the space of five years,... 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:8-12

( MAHANAIM .) Opposition to the Divine purpose. The purpose of God, to make David king over his people, was as yet only in part accomplished; and its fulfilment was opposed by Abner ( 1 Samuel 14:50 ; 1 Samuel 17:55 ; 1 Samuel 20:25 ; 1 Samuel 26:5 ) on behalf of "the house of Saul." Having escaped from the battle of Gilboa, he "took Ishbosheth, the son of Saul" (a man of feeble character, and fitted to become a tool in his hands), "and brought him over to Mahanaim, and made... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:8-17

Fanatical patriotism. The facts are: 1 . By degrees, and with the aid of Abner, those parts of the country not subject to David, and which, during the decay of Saul's power, had come under the control of the Philistines, now became consolidated under the rule of Ishbosheth. 2 . The jealousy between Israel and Judah, owing mostly to the hostility of Ishbosheth's adherents to David, assumes threatening form, and the leaders on each side, attended by a small army, come together face... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:10-11

Ishbosheth …two years … David … seven years and six months . Where are we to place the five years and a half of difference? The usual assumption is that David was made King of Israel immediately upon Ishbosheth's murder; but this is wrong. We cannot believe that Abner would allow so long a period as five years to elapse before asserting the claims of Saul's family, especially as David was already made King of Judah at Hebron. Still, as the war with the Philistines was the first object of his... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 2:10

Forty ... two - The numerals are somewhat strange. First, as regards the 40 years. Even assuming that Ish-bosheth’s reign did not commence until five and a half years after Saul’s death, which must have been the case if the two years in the text gives the true length of his reign, it is startling to hear of Saul’s younger son being 35 years old at his father’s death, born consequently some three years before his father’s accession, and five years older than David, the bosom friend of his older... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 2:9-11

2 Samuel 2:9-11. He made him king over Gilead Over all the tribes on the other side Jordan, which are comprehended under this name. Over the Ashurites That is, the tribe of Asher, as the Chaldee paraphrast and others understand it. Over Jezreel A large and rich valley, situate in the borders of the tribes of Zebulun, Issachar, and Naphtali, and so put for them all. And over all Israel All the tribes on this side Jordan, save only the tribe of Judah. Ish-bosheth was forty years old ... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:1-32

Two kings in Israel (2:1-3:1)The Philistines now controlled much of Israel’s territory west of Jordan (see 1 Samuel 31:7). Believing that David was still friendly to them, the Philistines allowed him to become king over Judah in the south, no doubt thinking that this would help to divide and weaken Israel further. The tribes east of Jordan, however, were still free, and David quickly tried to win their support (2:1-7). But Abner (Saul’s army commander and his cousin; see 1 Samuel 14:50) had... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 2 Samuel 2:10

2 Samuel 2:10. Ish-bosheth—was forty years old,—and reigned two years— Ish-bosheth was born in the year that Saul was made king, for Saul reigned forty years, Acts 13:21. Ish-bosheth reigned two years, says the sacred writer. Now, by referring to the next verse, and the first of the next chapter, we shall see that this is to be understood with some restriction. Ish-bosheth reigned all the time that David resided at Hebron, that is seven years and a half; but they both reigned two years in... read more

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