2 Samuel 2:17-23

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 2:17

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

John Gill

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

Then Abner looked behind him ,.... Perceiving one at his heels, and making haste up to him. And said, art thou Asahel ? for it seems he knew him personally, being well acquainted with his family: and he answered, I am ; so that they were very near to each other, as to discourse together, and be heard and understood by each other. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:21

And Abner said unto him ,.... Having a respect for him, and consulting his good, and however fearing his brother Joab should he slay him: turn thee aside to thy right or to thy left ; he does not advise him to go back, which would have been to his disgrace, having engaged in the pursuit, but to turn to the right or left, as if pursuing some other person and not Abner: and lay thee hold on one of the young men, and take thee his armour ; one of the common soldiers, or an attendant on... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:22

And Abner said again to Asahel ,.... Being loath to dispatch him: turn thee aside from following me, wherefore should I smite thee to the ground ? which was giving him fair warning, and letting him know what he must expect, if he did not desist from his pursuit: how then should I hold up my face to Joab thy brother ? the general of David's army, a stout valiant commander, a man of spirit and resentment, whom Abner knew full well, and that should he slay his brother, he would never be... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:23

Howbeit, he refused to turn aside ,.... Determined on making him his captive if possible. Wherefore Abner, with the hinder end of the spear ; he had in his hand, which seems to have had a pike at both ends; so that with the hinder end of it, next to Asahel, he thrust it at him, without turning to him: and smote him under the fifth rib ; the place where hang the gall and liver, as the Jewish commentators from their Talmud F9 T. Bab. Sanhedrin, fol. 49. 1. observe. There are... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 2:18

Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe - To be swift of foot was deemed a great accomplishment in the heroes of antiquity; ποδας ωκυς Αχιλλευς , the swift-footed Achilles, is an epithet which Homer gives to that hero no less than thirty times in the course of the Ilias. It has a qualification also among the Roman soldiers; they were taught both to run swiftly, and to swim well. read more

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