2 Samuel 2:12-3:5 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 2:12

And Abner the son of Ner ,.... Who was before captain of Saul's host, and now of Ishbosheth's: and the servants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul ; who seem to be not only his domestic servants, that waited upon him, or his courtiers, but his whole army by what follows: went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon ; came from the city on the other side Jordan, where perhaps they had been two years past, concerting schemes to bring all Israel under the government of Ishbosheth; in which they had... 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:12

Abner … went out. This is a further proof of considerable success on Abner's side. Encouraged by the result of numerous skirmishes with the Philistines, and the gradual restoration of the king's authority in Ephraim and Benjamin, Abner determined to make the attempt to win back Judah also. There David had been content with protecting Judah, and establishing good order; and, following his constant custom, had taken no steps to obtain for himself the kingdom "over all Israel." The war was of... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 2:12

This expedition to Gibeon may have been for the purpose of shifting his metropolis to his own tribe of Benjamin, and to his family place, “Gibeah of Saul,” close to Gibeon, with the further purpose of attacking the kingdom of David. “To go out” 2 Samuel 2:12-13 is a technical phrase for going out to war 1 Samuel 18:30. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 2:12-13

2 Samuel 2:12-13. Abner and the servants of Ish-bosheth went out to Gibeon They passed over Jordan into the country of Benjamin, where Gibeon was, (Joshua 18:25,) to fight with Judah, and to bring them into subjection to Saul’s son. It ought to be remarked, that David did not begin any hostility, but waited to see how God would dispose of things in his favour. And Joab and the servants of David went out To oppose the designs of the Israelites, Joab being the chief commander of David’s... 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

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 2 Samuel 2:12

ABNER BEGAN A CIVIL WAR AGAINST JUDAH AND DAVID"Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon. And Joab the son of Zeruiah, and the servants of David, went out and met them at the pool of Gibeon; and they sat down, the one on the one side of the pool, and the other on the other side of the pool. And Abner said to Joab, "Let the young men arise and play before us." And Joab said, "Let them arise." Then they arose and passed over by number,... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 2:12

12. Abner . . . and the servants of Ish-bosheth . . . went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon—This town was near the confines of Judah, and as the force with which Abner encamped there seemed to have some aggressive design, David sent an army of observation, under the command of Joab, to watch his movements. read more

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:12

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:8-12

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:8-17

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:12

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 2:12

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 2:12-13

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:1-32

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 2 Samuel 2:12

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 2:12

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