2 Samuel 2:14-16

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 2:14

And Abner said to Joab ,.... Perceiving he made no motion towards an engagement with him, his orders from David being only to act on the defensive, and avoid as much as possible the effusion of blood: let the young men now arise, and play before us ; with their swords after the manner of gladiators or duellers; that it might appear who were best skilled in the use of the sword, and who were the bravest, stoutest, and most courageous; and this he proposed in a way of bravado, and in order... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:15

Then there arose and went over by number twelve of Benjamin ,.... Whom Abner had picked out of that tribe, being his own, and whom he knew to be stout and courageous men, and closely attached to him. It seems by this as if Abner's men: which pertained to Ishbosheth, the son of Saul , passed over the pool of Gibeon unto Joab's men; so forward were they to engage in this duel, and it makes it still more appear that they were the aggressors: and twelve of the servants of David ; of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:16

And they caught everyone his fellow by the head ,.... By the hair of his head with his hand: and thrust his sword in his fellow's side ; which he had in the other: so they fell down together ; the twelve on each side, all the twenty four; some think only the twelve on Abner's side fell; but to me it seems that they all fell dead as one man, since they thrust their swords in each other's sides: wherefore that place was called Helkathhazzurim, which is in Gibeon ; the field of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 2:14

Let the young men - play before us - This was diabolical play, where each man thrust his sword into the body of the other, so that the twenty-four (twelve on each side) fell down dead together! But this was the signal for that sanguinary skirmish which immediately took place. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 2:16

Caught every one his fellow by the head - Probably by the beard, if these persons were not too young to have one, or by the hair of the head. Alexander ordered all the Macedonians to shave their beards; and being asked by Parmenio why they should do so, answered, "Dost thou not know that in battle there is no better hold than the beard?" Helkath-hazzurim - "The portion of the mighty;" or, "The inheritance of those who were slain," according to the Targum. 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 2:13-17

( GIBSON .) Fratricidal strife. "And that place was called Helkath-Hazzurim" ( 2 Samuel 2:16 ). The hostile attitude assumed by Abner appeared to David to render necessary active measures in self-defence. It is not said that he inquired of the Lord. If he had done so the conflict which ensued between brethren might possibly have been averted. As it was, he sent an army of observation under the command of Joab, who (although not mentioned before) had doubtless accompanied him in his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:14

Let the young men now arise. "Now" is not an adverb of time, but is hortative, and therefore rightly translated in the Revised Version, "I pray thee." It is by no means certain that Abner meant that this single combat should decide the war; for similar preludes before a battle are not uncommon among the Arabians, and serve, as this did, to put an end to the mutual unwillingness to begin the onslaught. So, too, games often preceded outbreaks of Scandinavian blood feuds. And this was probably... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:16

His sword in his fellow's side. The absence of the verb in the original sets powerfully before us the rapidity of the whole action. But what an action! Twenty-four experienced men each take the other by the head, and, without any attempt at self-defence, thrust their swords into their opponents' side, and leave their own sides exposed to a similar thrust. Were they, then, unskilful in the use of weapons? Impossible. Were they blinded by hatred of one another? But no rancour would make a man... read more

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