2 Samuel 20:1-22

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 20:1-3

David, in the midst of his triumphs, has here the affliction to see his kingdom disturbed and his family disgraced. I. His subjects revolting from him at the instigation of a man of Belial, whom they followed when they forsook the man after God's own heart. Observe, 1. That this happened immediately upon the crushing of Absalom's rebellion. We must not think it strange, while we are in this world, if the end of one trouble be the beginning of another: deep sometimes calls unto deep. 2. That... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 20:4-13

We have here Amasa's fall just as he began to rise. He was nephew to David (2 Sam. 17:25), had been Absalom's general and commander-in-chief of his rebellious army, but, that being routed, he came over into David's interest, upon a promise that he should be general of his forces instead of Joab. Sheba's rebellion gives David an occasion to fulfil his promise sooner than he could wish, but Joab's envy and emulation rendered its fulfillment of ill consequence both to him and David. I. Amasa has... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 20:14-22

We have here the conclusion of Sheba's attempt. I. The rebel, when he had rambled over all the tribes of Israel, and found them not so willing, upon second thoughts, to follow him, as they had been upon a sudden provocation to desert David (having only picked up a few like himself, that sided with him), at length entered Abel-Beth-maacah, a strong city in the north, in the lot of Naphtali, where we find it placed, 2 Kgs. 15:29. Here he took shelter, whether by force or with consent does not... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 20:1

And there happened to be a man of Belial ,.... A wicked man, as the Targum, a lawless, yokeless man, that had cast off the yoke of the law, and was without it, as Belial is by some interpreted; or one unprofitable and useless, yea, noxious and pernicious: this man, though, with respect to second causes, may be said to be there by chance, yet it was so ordered by the providence of God that he should be present at this time for the further fulfilment of the threatening to David, that the sword... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 20:2

So every man of Israel went up from after David ,.... Those that met him on the road departed from him, and went no further with him: and followed Sheba the son of Bichri ; and made him their captain, who was the author of their mutiny and sedition: but the men of Judah clave unto their king, from Jordan to Jerusalem : never left him, after they had conducted him over Jordan, until they had brought him safely to Jerusalem. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 20:3

And David came to his house at Jerusalem ,.... His palace there, which was in that part of the city called the fort of Zion, and city of David: and the king took the ten women his concubines, whom he had left to keep the house ; when he fled from Jerusalem because of Absalom, 2 Samuel 15:16 , and put them in ward ; partly as a punishment for easily yielding to the lust of Absalom, and partly that they might not be seen, which would bring to remembrance his sin: and fed them ;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 20:4

Then said the king to Amasa ,.... Whom he had promised to make general of his army, 2 Samuel 19:13 ; and by the following order declared him such: assemble me the men of Judah within three days ; which was done by the sound of the trumpet, or by the proclamation of a herald; it seems that the men of Judah, who attended David to Jerusalem, were gone to their respective cities and places of abode, or there would have been no occasion for such a summons; though it is strange they should,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 20:5

So Amasa went to assemble the men of Judah ,.... To gather, them together out of their several tribes, and bring them to Jerusalem: but he tarried longer than the set time which he had appointed him : than the three days; whether this was owing to the remissness of Amasa, or the unwillingness of the people to serve under him, who had been Absalom's general in the late rebellion, or not having time sufficient allowed him, is not certain. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 20:6

And David said to Abishai ,.... For it seems he would have nothing to say to Joab, being displeased with him for slaying Absalom, and having removed him from his posts; and therefore speaks to the next officer in his army, Abishai; though Josephus F16 Antiqu. l. 7. c. 11. sect. 6. says, he addressed himself to Joab, contrary to the express words of the text: now shall Sheba the son of Bichri do us more harm than did Absalom ; gain a greater party, and give more trouble to subdue... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 20:7

And there went out after him Joab's men ,.... Who though he was removed from his post as general, yet might still have the command of a regiment: and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites ; over whom Benaiah was, 2 Samuel 20:23 ; these attended David in his flight, and had now returned with him, 2 Samuel 15:18 , and all the mighty men ; the military men that were at Jerusalem as many as could be spared: and they went out of Jerusalem to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri ;... read more

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