2 Samuel 2:12-23 NIV

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

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:18-24

We have here the contest between Abner and Asahel. Asahel, the brother of Joab and cousin-german to David, was one of the principal commanders of David's forces, and was famous for swiftness in running: he was as light of foot as a wild roe (2 Sam. 2:18); this he got the name of by swift pursuing, not swift flying. Yet, we may suppose, he was not comparable to Abner as a skilful experienced soldier; we must therefore observe, I. How rash he was in aiming to make Abner his prisoner. He pursued... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:12

And Abner the son of Ner ,.... Who was before captain of Saul's host, and now of Ishbosheth's: and the servants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul ; who seem to be not only his domestic servants, that waited upon him, or his courtiers, but his whole army by what follows: went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon ; came from the city on the other side Jordan, where perhaps they had been two years past, concerting schemes to bring all Israel under the government of Ishbosheth; in which they had... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:13

And Joab the son of Zeruiah ,.... A sister of David, and this her son was general of David's army: and the servants of David, went out ; that is, his army went out from Hebron to Gibeon, which was twenty four miles F4 Bunting's Travels, p. 146. to meet that under Abner; for though he had but one tribe with him, and Ishbosheth had all the rest, yet Judah was a numerous, powerful, and warlike tribe; and besides many out of the other tribes had joined them, and, above all, God was on... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:14

And Abner said to Joab ,.... Perceiving he made no motion towards an engagement with him, his orders from David being only to act on the defensive, and avoid as much as possible the effusion of blood: let the young men now arise, and play before us ; with their swords after the manner of gladiators or duellers; that it might appear who were best skilled in the use of the sword, and who were the bravest, stoutest, and most courageous; and this he proposed in a way of bravado, and in order... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:15

Then there arose and went over by number twelve of Benjamin ,.... Whom Abner had picked out of that tribe, being his own, and whom he knew to be stout and courageous men, and closely attached to him. It seems by this as if Abner's men: which pertained to Ishbosheth, the son of Saul , passed over the pool of Gibeon unto Joab's men; so forward were they to engage in this duel, and it makes it still more appear that they were the aggressors: and twelve of the servants of David ; of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:16

And they caught everyone his fellow by the head ,.... By the hair of his head with his hand: and thrust his sword in his fellow's side ; which he had in the other: so they fell down together ; the twelve on each side, all the twenty four; some think only the twelve on Abner's side fell; but to me it seems that they all fell dead as one man, since they thrust their swords in each other's sides: wherefore that place was called Helkathhazzurim, which is in Gibeon ; the field of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:17

And there was a very sore battle that day ,.... When the twenty four men fell together, and no decision could be made thereby, or any triumph on either side, both armies drew up in battle array, and fought very furiously: and Abner was beaten, and the men of Israel, before the servants of David ; the army under him had the worst of it, and were routed, and obliged to flee before the army of David under the command of Joab. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:18

And there were three sons of Zeruiah there ,.... In the battle: Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel ; Joab was the general of the array, Abishai was he who went into Saul's host at night, and took away his spear and cruse of water at his head, 1 Samuel 26:6 ; and it is for the sake of the third, Asahel, that the account is given, the story of his death being about to be told. And Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe : swiftness of foot, as well as courage, for which this man was... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:19

And Asahel pursued after Abner ,.... Ambitious of the glory of taking or slaying the general of the army of Israel; trusting to his swiftness, not considering that the race is not always to the swift, and that he had to do with a veteran soldier, and he a raw young man, though valiant: and in going he turned not to the right hand nor to the left in following Abner ; he kept his eye upon him, and pursued him closely, disregarding persons on the right or left he could have made prisoners;... read more

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

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:18-24

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:12

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:13

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:14

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:15

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:16

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:17

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:18

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:19

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