2 Samuel 2:8 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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:8

But Abner, the son of Ner, captain of Saul's host ,.... This man's father, Ner, was Saul's uncle, 1 Samuel 14:50 , and he was his own cousin, and being general of his army, a post he was willing to keep, might be the reasons for doing what he did, as follows: took Ishbosheth the son of Saul ; and who seems to be his only son left, except what he had by his concubine. This man's name is Eshbaal in 1 Chronicles 8:33 . Baal is the name of a shameful idol, and which was therefore... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 2:8

Abner the son of Ner - This man had long been one of the chief captains of Saul's army, and commander-in-chief on several occasions; he was probably envious of David's power, by whom he had often been out-generalled in the field. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:8

Abner . This hero had been present at the battle of Gilboa, and probably had rallied many of the defeated Israelites, and made as much resistance as was possible to the onward march of the Philistines. And as soon as he had effected his retreat into the region beyond the Jordan, his power would be supreme. There was no one there to oppose the commander-in-chief of what remained of Saul's army. Certainly all that remained of Saul's body guard of three thousand men would gather round Abner,... 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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 2:8

Mahanaim - See Genesis 32:2. From 2 Samuel 2:12 it would seem to have been Ish-bosheth’s capital. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 2:8

2 Samuel 2:8. Abner took Ish-bosheth Abner was not only Saul’s general, but his near kinsman also, and in this instance his interest and ambition, and perhaps also envy, strongly influenced him. He knew that Ish-bosheth, if advanced to the sovereignty, would only have the name of a king, while he himself had the power. It appears, however, sufficiently from the sequel of his history, that he was well acquainted with David’s divine designation to the throne; but should he now submit to it he... 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

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 2 Samuel 2:8

Ish-bosheth = man of shame: i.e. the idol " Baal ". In 1 Chronicles 8:33 = Esh-baal. read more

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:8

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 2:8

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:8

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:8-12

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:8-17

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 2:8

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 2:8

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:1-32

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 2 Samuel 2:8

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