2 Samuel 3:1-39

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 3:1-6

Here is, I. The struggle that David had with the house of Saul before his settlement in the throne was completed, 2 Sam. 3:1. 1. Both sides contested. Saul's house, though beheaded and diminished, would not fall tamely. It is not strange between them, but one would wonder it should be a long war, when David's house had right on its side, and therefore God on its side; but, though truth and equity will triumph at last, God made for wise and holy ends prolonged the conflict. The length of this... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 3:7-21

Here, I. Abner breaks with Ish-bosheth, and deserts his interest, upon a little provocation which Ish-bosheth unadvisedly gave him. God can serve his own purposes by the sins and follies of men. 1. Ish-bosheth accused Abner of no less a crime than debauching one of his father's concubines, 2 Sam. 3:7. Whether it was so or no does not appear, nor what ground he had for the suspicion: but, however it was, it would have been Ish-bosheth's prudence to be silent, considering how much it was his... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 3:22-39

We have here an account of the murder of Abner by Joab, and David's deep resentment of it. I. Joab very insolently fell foul upon David for treating with Abner. He happened to be abroad upon service when Abner was with David, pursuing a troop, either of Philistines or of Saul's party; but, upon his return, he was informed that Abner was just gone (2 Sam. 3:22, 23), and that a great many kind things had passed between David and him. He had all the reason in the world to be satisfied of David's... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 3:1

Now there was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David ,.... The recent battle, though so much in favour of David, did not, put an end to the war between him and Ishbosheth, which lasted five years longer; for it was when Ishbosheth had reigned two years that that battle was fought, and he reigned five years longer; for not till his death, and when David had reigned above seven years in Hebron, was he made king over all Israel; and during this time peace was not made, but... read more

John Gill

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

And unto David were sons born in Hebron ,.... He was married before he came there, had wives in his state of exile, but had no children by them there, at least no sons; if any, only daughters: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess ; who being mentioned first, and her son his firstborn, seems to have been his wife before be took Abigail; he had not much comfort of this firstborn son of his; see 2 Samuel 13:1 . read more

John Gill

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

And the second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite ,.... That is: who had been the wife of Nabal. This son's name is called Daniel, 1 Chronicles 3:1 ; and was the first name he had, and which his father gave him, because as if he should say, "God hath judged me", and pleaded the cause of his reproach from Nabal, 1 Samuel 25:39 ; but why he should be called Chileab is not easy to say; the name is commonly thought to signify "like unto his father", or "all father": had all... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 3:4

And the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith ,.... The same that usurped the throne before his father's death, to anticipate Solomon, and died by his order, 1 Kings 1:5 , and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital ; of whom we read nowhere else. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 3:5

And the sixth, Ithream, by Eglah David's wife ,.... Who also is not spoken of in any other place; only, in a like chronological account as the former, it is remarked that the mother of this only is called David's wife; the reason of which is supposed to be, either because she was a person of no note, and had nothing else to distinguish her; but the same may be said of the two foregoing; or because she was his beloved wife, his heifer, as her name signifies; hence the Jews F25 T. Bab.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 3:6

And it came to pass, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David ,.... As long as that continued, as it did until the following quarrel happened between Ishbosheth and Abner: that Abner made himself strong for the house of Saul ; or was strongly in the interest of that house, and used his utmost endeavours to support and confirm it. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 3:7

And Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah ,.... By whom he had two sons, 2 Samuel 21:8 . Josephus F1 Antiqu. l. 7. c. 1. sect. 4. calls her father's name Sibathus: and Ishbosheth said to Abner ; though the word "Ishbosheth" is not in the text, it is rightly supplied; for no other can be supposed to speak: wherefore hast thou gone in unto my father's concubine ? and defiled her; though perhaps it was not so much the act of uncleanness that so... read more

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