2 Samuel 2:26

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:25-32

Here, I. Abner, being conquered, meanly begs for a cessation of arms. He rallied the remains of his forces on the top of a hill (2 Sam. 2:25), as if he would have made head again, but becomes a humble supplicant to Joab for a little breathing-time, 2 Sam. 2:26. He that was most forward to fight was the first that had enough of it. He that made a jest of bloodshed (Let the young men arise and play before us, 2 Sam. 2:14) is now shocked at it, when he finds himself on the losing side, and the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:26

Then Abner called to Joab ,.... For having now a troop of men with him, he could stop with the greater safety; and being on an hill, and perhaps Joab on one opposite to him, could call to him, so as to be heard: and said, shall the sword devour for ever ? slay men, and devour their blood. See Jeremiah 46:10 . That he was not thoughtful of, nor concerned about, when he set the young men to fighting before the battle, and called it play to wound and shed the blood of each other; but now... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:18-32

The facts are: 1 . Asahel, a younger brother of Joab, taking part in the pursuit, fixes his eye on Abner, and keeps on his track, and, being swift of foot, soon overtakes him. 2 . Abner, conscious of superiority in arms, and remembering the high family connections of the rash youth, chivalrously urges Asahel to try his prowess on some one else. 3 . The counsel being proudly disdained, Asahel falls under the spear of Abner. 4 . At the close of the day the scattered men of Israel... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:24-29

( GIBEON ) War. "Shall the sword devour forever?" ( 2 Samuel 2:26 ; 2 Samuel 11:25 ). The sword is more destructive than ravenous beasts, famine, pestilence ( 2 Samuel 24:13 ; Le 26:26), earthquake, tempest, or fire. The history of its ravages constitutes a considerable portion of the history of mankind. Of these we have here a slight but noteworthy instance. Twenty-four brave men of the same nation (half of them chosen from each of the opposing forces) fell, pierced by each... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:26

Knowest thou not that it will be bitterness in the latter end! The Vulgate renders this, "Art thou not aware that desperation is dangerous?" This is a very obvious truth, but probably Abner had in his mind something more statesmanlike. The struggle was for the empire over all Israel, and whoever won would be king over both sides. But every man slain meant a blood feud, which would continue even after the kingdom was united; and Abner probably felt that his own slaughter of Asahel that day... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:26

Longing for the cessation of wars. "Shall the sword devour forever?" This exclamation of Abner respecting the pursuit of his discomfited troops by the conquering troops of Joab, has often been uttered in respect to war in general. As so employed it expresses horror of war, and impatient longing for its final termination. I. THE QUESTION . The feelings which it indicates are excited in view of: 1 . The nature of war. The mutual slaughter of each other by those who are... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 2:26

2 Samuel 2:26. Bitterness in the latter end It will produce dreadful effects. In civil wars, as Cicero speaks, ( Familiar Epist., lib. 4.,) all things are miserable, and nothing more miserable than victory itself, which makes the conqueror do many things against his will, to satisfy those by whom he conquers. Joab seems to have been very sensible of this, from his withdrawing his forces so readily from the pursuit. From following their brethren By nation and religion; descended from one... 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 Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 2 Samuel 2:12-32

5. The conflict between Abner and Joab 2:12-32Travelers can visit the pool of Gibeon today. It lies about three miles northwest of Gibeah."The pool is a cylindrical shaft thirty-seven feet in diameter and thirty-five feet deep. Its five-feet-wide spiral stairway, which winds downward around the inside wall of the pool in a clockwise direction, continues below the floor level to an additional depth of forty-five feet." [Note: Youngblood, p. 825.] There the forces of Ish-bosheth and David met for... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 2:1-32

David made King over Judah, Ishdosheth over israel. Asahel slain by Abner1. Shall I go up?] The defeat and death of Saul had entirely changed David’s position. He had, for some time to come, nothing to fear from Abner, who was occupied elsewhere (2 Samuel 2:8-9). The Philistines would not molest him, as he was their vassal. But even so, he asks God’s wishes, before he takes the decisive step. Hebron] There were several reasons which rendered Hebron suitable. It was fairly central, was a... read more

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