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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:25-32

Here, I. Abner, being conquered, meanly begs for a cessation of arms. He rallied the remains of his forces on the top of a hill (2 Sam. 2:25), as if he would have made head again, but becomes a humble supplicant to Joab for a little breathing-time, 2 Sam. 2:26. He that was most forward to fight was the first that had enough of it. He that made a jest of bloodshed (Let the young men arise and play before us, 2 Sam. 2:14) is now shocked at it, when he finds himself on the losing side, and the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:25

And the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together after Abner ,.... Either those that were with him before, who upon the battle were dispersed, but now got together again; or others of that tribe, who, hearing of the defeat of Abner, went out of the several cities after him, to strengthen his hands, and renew the fight with Joab: and became one troop ; were united together in a body, and became a regular troop: and stood on the top of an hill ; which was some advantage to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:26

Then Abner called to Joab ,.... For having now a troop of men with him, he could stop with the greater safety; and being on an hill, and perhaps Joab on one opposite to him, could call to him, so as to be heard: and said, shall the sword devour for ever ? slay men, and devour their blood. See Jeremiah 46:10 . That he was not thoughtful of, nor concerned about, when he set the young men to fighting before the battle, and called it play to wound and shed the blood of each other; but now... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:27

And Joab said, as God liveth ,.... Which was the form of an oath, swearing by the living God: unless thou hadst spoken ; that is, these words in 2 Samuel 2:14 ; "let the young men arise and play", that he had not given the challenge to fight: surely then in the morning the people had gone up everyone from following his brother ; they would have gone away and never fought at all; they were not desirous of shedding their blood, and following after them to slay them: thus he lays the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 2:27

And Joab said - The meaning of this verse appears to be this: If Abner had not provoked the battle, (see 2 Samuel 2:14 ;), Joab would not have attacked the Israelites that day; as his orders were probably to act on the defensive. Therefore the blame fell upon Israel. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:18-32

The facts are: 1 . Asahel, a younger brother of Joab, taking part in the pursuit, fixes his eye on Abner, and keeps on his track, and, being swift of foot, soon overtakes him. 2 . Abner, conscious of superiority in arms, and remembering the high family connections of the rash youth, chivalrously urges Asahel to try his prowess on some one else. 3 . The counsel being proudly disdained, Asahel falls under the spear of Abner. 4 . At the close of the day the scattered men of Israel... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:24-29

( GIBEON ) War. "Shall the sword devour forever?" ( 2 Samuel 2:26 ; 2 Samuel 11:25 ). The sword is more destructive than ravenous beasts, famine, pestilence ( 2 Samuel 24:13 ; Le 26:26), earthquake, tempest, or fire. The history of its ravages constitutes a considerable portion of the history of mankind. Of these we have here a slight but noteworthy instance. Twenty-four brave men of the same nation (half of them chosen from each of the opposing forces) fell, pierced by each... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:25

The children of Benjamin … became one troop. Benjamin was probably the only tribe that entered keenly into Ishbosheth's cause; for the maintenance of the kingdom in the family of Saul meant the continuance of that favouritism which had enriched them at the expense of the community ( 1 Samuel 22:7 ). They were, too, a very warlike tribe, and Abner was one of themselves, and probably, therefore, the main body of his army, and certainly his most trustworthy men, were Benjamites. Profiting by... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:26

Knowest thou not that it will be bitterness in the latter end! The Vulgate renders this, "Art thou not aware that desperation is dangerous?" This is a very obvious truth, but probably Abner had in his mind something more statesmanlike. The struggle was for the empire over all Israel, and whoever won would be king over both sides. But every man slain meant a blood feud, which would continue even after the kingdom was united; and Abner probably felt that his own slaughter of Asahel that day... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:26

Longing for the cessation of wars. "Shall the sword devour forever?" This exclamation of Abner respecting the pursuit of his discomfited troops by the conquering troops of Joab, has often been uttered in respect to war in general. As so employed it expresses horror of war, and impatient longing for its final termination. I. THE QUESTION . The feelings which it indicates are excited in view of: 1 . The nature of war. The mutual slaughter of each other by those who are... read more

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