2 Samuel 20

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 20

How do the clouds return after the rain! No sooner is one of David's troubles over than another arises, as it were out of the ashes of the former, wherein the threatening is fulfilled, that the sword should never depart from his house. I. Before he reaches Jerusalem a new rebellion is raised by Sheba, 2 Sam. 20:1, 2. II. His first work, when he comes to Jerusalem, is to condemn his concubines to perpetual imprisonment, 2 Sam. 20:3. III. Amass, whom he entrusts to raise an army against Sheba,... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 20:1-3

David, in the midst of his triumphs, has here the affliction to see his kingdom disturbed and his family disgraced. I. His subjects revolting from him at the instigation of a man of Belial, whom they followed when they forsook the man after God's own heart. Observe, 1. That this happened immediately upon the crushing of Absalom's rebellion. We must not think it strange, while we are in this world, if the end of one trouble be the beginning of another: deep sometimes calls unto deep. 2. That... read more

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

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 20:14-22

We have here the conclusion of Sheba's attempt. I. The rebel, when he had rambled over all the tribes of Israel, and found them not so willing, upon second thoughts, to follow him, as they had been upon a sudden provocation to desert David (having only picked up a few like himself, that sided with him), at length entered Abel-Beth-maacah, a strong city in the north, in the lot of Naphtali, where we find it placed, 2 Kgs. 15:29. Here he took shelter, whether by force or with consent does not... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 20:23-26

Here is an account of the state of David's court after his restoration. Joab retained the office of general, being too great to be displaced. Benaiah, as before, was captain of the guards. Here is one new office erected, which we had not (2 Sam. 8:16-18), that of treasurer, or one over the tribute, for it was not till towards the latter end of his time that David began to raise taxes. Adoram was long in this office, but it cost him his life at last, 1 Kgs. 12:18. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 20

INTRODUCTION TO SECOND SAMUEL 20 This chapter gives an account of a new rebellion raised by Sheba, 2 Samuel 20:1 ; of David's shutting up his concubines unto the day of their death, whom Absalom had lain with, 2 Samuel 20:3 ; of Amasa being ordered to assemble the men of Judah to crush the rebellion, but being dilatory, Abishai is sent out with David's servants, and was followed by Joab with the men under him, 2 Samuel 20:4 ; and of the murder of Amasa by Joab, 2 Samuel 20:8 ; and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 20:1

And there happened to be a man of Belial ,.... A wicked man, as the Targum, a lawless, yokeless man, that had cast off the yoke of the law, and was without it, as Belial is by some interpreted; or one unprofitable and useless, yea, noxious and pernicious: this man, though, with respect to second causes, may be said to be there by chance, yet it was so ordered by the providence of God that he should be present at this time for the further fulfilment of the threatening to David, that the sword... read more

John Gill

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

So every man of Israel went up from after David ,.... Those that met him on the road departed from him, and went no further with him: and followed Sheba the son of Bichri ; and made him their captain, who was the author of their mutiny and sedition: but the men of Judah clave unto their king, from Jordan to Jerusalem : never left him, after they had conducted him over Jordan, until they had brought him safely to Jerusalem. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 20:3

And David came to his house at Jerusalem ,.... His palace there, which was in that part of the city called the fort of Zion, and city of David: and the king took the ten women his concubines, whom he had left to keep the house ; when he fled from Jerusalem because of Absalom, 2 Samuel 15:16 , and put them in ward ; partly as a punishment for easily yielding to the lust of Absalom, and partly that they might not be seen, which would bring to remembrance his sin: and fed them ;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 20:4

Then said the king to Amasa ,.... Whom he had promised to make general of his army, 2 Samuel 19:13 ; and by the following order declared him such: assemble me the men of Judah within three days ; which was done by the sound of the trumpet, or by the proclamation of a herald; it seems that the men of Judah, who attended David to Jerusalem, were gone to their respective cities and places of abode, or there would have been no occasion for such a summons; though it is strange they should,... read more

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