2 Samuel 4:1-8:18 KJV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 4:1-8

Here is, I. The weakness of Saul's house. Still it grew weaker and weaker. 1. As for Ishbosheth, who was in possession of the throne, his hands were feeble, 2 Sam. 4:1. All the strength they ever had was from Abner's support, and now that he was dead he had no spirit left in him. Though Abner had, in a passion, deserted his interest, yet he hoped, by his means, to make good terms with David; but now even this hope fails him, and he sees himself forsaken by his friends and at the mercy of his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 4:1

And when Saul's son heard that Abner was dead in Hebron ,.... By Saul's son is meant Ishbosheth, to whom tidings were soon brought of the death of Abner his general, and that he died in Hebron, where David his rival reigned, and was there murdered by Joab the general of his army: his hands were feeble : not only in a natural sense, being quite dispirited at hearing such news; but in a civil sense, having lost his main support and strength, he being president of his council, and commander... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 4:1

All the Israelites were troubled - Abner was their great support; and on him they depended; for it appears that Ish-bosheth was a feeble prince, and had few of those qualities requisite for a sovereign. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 4:1

EXPOSITION When Saul's son heard that Abner was dead . The news of Abner's death must have had a doubly depressing effect upon Ishbosheth; for he learned, not only that the mainstay of his kingdom was slain, but that even he, in despair of a successful issue, had been engaged in treasonable negotiations with his rival. All the Israelites were troubled. Their trouble was caused rather by uncertainty than by fear. Abner's plans had fallen through, and the fact of his murder threw... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 4:1-3

( MAHANAIM .) The unhappy lot of Ishbosheth. Of the varied types of character which these chapters furnish, that which appears in Ishbosheth (Eshbaal, 1 Chronicles 8:33 ) is a most pitiable one. The last surviving son of Saul, he bore little resemblance to his heroic father; owed his life to his incapacity for military enterprise; was the legitimate successor of Saul according to the law of Oriental succession; after the brief suspense in which the elders of Israel seemed disposed to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 4:1-12

The facts are: 1 . On the death of Abner, consternation seizes Ishbosheth and his friends. 2 . The only other representative of the house of Saul was a mere boy, whose age and bodily infirmity rendered his coming to the front out of the question. 3 . Two of Ishbosheth's officers, forming a secret design, visit Ishbosheth as though on business connected with their duties, and slay him. 4 . Stealing away by night, they carry the head of Ishbosheth to David at Hebron, and think to... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 4:1

2 Samuel 4:1. His hands were feeble He was greatly dismayed, as well he might be; for he was in effect disarmed; he had lost both his sword and his shield in Abner. And all the Israelites were troubled That is, all those who were united to the interest of Ish-bosheth, and probably many others also; for they had lost their great and powerful agent with David; the man in whom both he and they confided; the man who, from his authority and credit, both with the army and the people, was best... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 4:1-12

End of the line of Saul (3:2-4:12)On becoming king of Judah, David followed the pattern of neighbouring kings by taking a number of wives (2-5). (For the more important people of David’s family and relatives see the appendix at the end of the commentary on 2 Samuel.) Meanwhile Abner became so powerful among Ishbosheth’s supporters, that Ishbosheth accused him of trying to gain the throne for himself. (According to an eastern custom, one way a person signified his claim to the throne was by... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 2 Samuel 4:1

ISBOSHETH WAS MURDERED;HIS MURDERERS WERE EXECUTED;ABNER'S DEATH WAS A DISASTER FOR ISHBOSHETH"When Ishbosheth, Saul's son, heard that Abner had died at Hebron, his courage failed, and all Israel was dismayed. Now Saul's son had two men who were captains of raiding bands; the name of the one was Baanah, and the name of the other Rechab, sons of Rimmon a man of Benjamin from Beeroth (for Beeroth is also reckoned to Benjamin; the Beerothites fled to Gittaim, and have been sojourners there to this... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 2 Samuel 4:1

2 Samuel 4:1. And all the Israelites were troubled— That is, all those who were united to the interest of Ish-bosheth. read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 4:1-8

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 4:1

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 4:1

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 4:1

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 4:1-3

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 4:1-12

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 4:1

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 4:1-12

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 2 Samuel 4:1

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 2 Samuel 4:1

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