2 Samuel 2:1-11

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:1-7

When Saul and Jonathan were dead, though David knew himself anointed to be king, and now saw his way very clear, yet he did not immediately send messengers through all the coasts of Israel to summon all people to come in and swear allegiance to him, upon pain of death, but proceeded leisurely; for he that believeth doth not make haste, but waits God's time for the accomplishment of God's promises. Many had come in to his assistance from several tribes while he continued at Ziklag, as we find... read more

Matthew Henry

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 2:1

And it came to pass after this ,.... After David had heard of the death of Saul and Jonathan, and made a lamentation over them, perhaps the next day; since David and his men are only said to mourn, and weep, and fast till even, 2 Samuel 1:10 , that David inquired of the Lord ; of the Word of the Lord, as the Targum, by Abiathar the priest, and through the Urim and Thummim, in the ephod he had put on on this occasion: saying, shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah ? though... read more

John Gill

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

So David went up thither ,.... From Ziklag to Hebron, which was sixteen miles according to Bunting F25 Ut supra, (Travels &c.;) p. 137. . and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail, Nabal's wife, the Carmelite ; who were beloved by him, and who had shared with him in his troubles, and which he took with him to partake of his honour and grandeur, wealth and riches; in which he was now a type of Christ. See Romans 8:17 . read more

John Gill

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

And his men that were with him did David bring up, every man with his household ,.... They and their families, and no doubt provided well for them when he was settled on the throne, who had shown themselves to be his faithful friends, closely attached to his interest, and had run the risk of their all on his account. See Matthew 19:28 . And they dwelt in the cities of Hebron ; in the towns and villages about it; for that itself being a city of refuge, and inhabited by priests, there... read more

John Gill

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

And the men of Judah came ,.... The inhabitants of the tribe of Judah came from the several parts of it to Hebron, that is, the principal of them, the elders of each city: and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah ; they did not take upon them to make him king over all Israel, but left the rest of the tribes to act for themselves; and no doubt in this they had the mind of David, who was not willing to force himself upon the people at once, but by degrees get the whole... read more

John Gill

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

And David sent messengers unto the men of Jabeshgilead ,.... To return them thanks for their courage and boldness in rescuing the bodies of Saul and his sons out of the hands of the Philistines, and for their civility in the burial of them: and said unto them, blessed be ye of the Lord ; which may be considered either as a wish, the Lord bless you for it, or as a prediction, the Lord will bless you: that ye have showed this kindness unto your lord, even unto Saul , and have... read more

John Gill

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

And now the Lord show kindness and truth unto you ,.... Or true kindness; confer real favours, bestow upon you good and substantial blessings, blessings indeed! and I also will requite you this kindness, because ye have done this thing . He not only prayed to God to bless them and reward them for it, but would remember them himself, and at a proper opportunity would show favour to them for this act of kindness to Saul. De Dieu proposes to consideration whether it may not be as well... read more

John Gill

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

Now therefore let your hands be strengthened, and be ye valiant ,.... And not be afraid of the Philistines, who might resent their conduct in taking away from them the bodies of Saul and his sons, whom they had hung up in triumph; and these men might fear they would bring their armies against them, and destroy them; but David bids them be of good heart and courage, and not be afraid of them: for your master Saul is dead ; or rather "though" F1 כי "licet enim", V. L. "quamvis",... 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

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