2 Samuel 20:14-15

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 20:14

And he went through all the tribes of Israel ,.... That is, Sheba the son of Bichri, last mentioned, 2 Samuel 20:13 , who passed through all the tribes of Israel to get as many to be of his party as he could, and to be proclaimed their king; or finding himself pursued, he passed on as fast as he could from place to place, through all the tribes, until at length he fixed for safety in a place later named; though Josephus F23 Ut supra. (Antiqu. l. 7. c. 11. sect. 7.) understands this... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 20:15

And they came and besieged him in Abel of Bethmaachah ,.... That is, Joab and Abishai, with the forces under them, who pursued him hither: and they cast up a bank against the city ; which some understand of a warlike machine or engine, with which stones were cast; but it rather seems to be a bank of earth thrown up, for the better working of such engines to more advantage against the city, by throwing from thence darts into the city, or stones against the walls of it, to batter it down;... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 20:14

Unto Abel - This is supposed to have been the capital of the district called Abilene in St. Luke's Gospel, Luke 3:1 . Beth-maachah - Is supposed to have been in the northern part of the Holy Land, on the confines of Syria, and probably in the tribe of Naphtali. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 20:15

They cast up a bank against the city - The word סללה solelah , which we render bank, means, most probably, a battering engine of some kind, or a tower overlooking the walls, on which archers and slingers could stand and annoy the inhabitants, while others of the besiegers could proceed to sap the walls. That it cannot be a bank that stood in the trench, is evident from the circumstance thus expressed. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 20:14

And he went through, etc. It was not Joab, but Sheba, who, by David's prompt action, was compelled to make a rapid retreat, seeking help in vain from tribe after tribe, but rejected of all, and unable to make any defence until he had reached the extreme north of the land of Israel. Unto Abel, and to Beth-Maachah. The conjunction probably ought to be omitted, as the proper name of the place, is Abel-beth-Maachah, and it is so given in 2 Samuel 20:15 (see below), and in 1 Kings 15:20 ; ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 20:14-26

The causes and remedies of religious strife. The facts are: 1 . Joab and his forces, pursuing Sheba till they came upon him in the city of Abel, lay siege to it. 2 . A wise woman of the city remonstrates with Joab for attacking the city, and refers to the fact that when Sheba with his armed followers threw themselves into the city, the people felt sure that when the pursuing foes came up they would open negotiations with the authorities, and so bring the conflict to an end. 3 .... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 20:15

It stood in the trench. This is a literal translation, and yet gives a wrong sense. The Hebrew "stood" means "rose up to," "stood level with;" and the "trench" is what in modern fortifications is called "the glacis," and includes the outer wall of defence. The Revised Version renders, "it stood against the rampart." The usual way of capturing cities in ancient times was to cast up a bank or mound of earth against them ( Isaiah 29:3 ; Isaiah 37:33 ; Jeremiah 6:6 ); and Joab's work had... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 20:15-22

( ABEL - BETH - MAACAH .) A peacemaker. "Then cried a wise woman out of the city, Hear! hear?" ( 2 Samuel 20:16 ). 1 . Hard pressed by the forces of Joab, Sheba threw himself into the fortified city of Abel-beth-Maachah (in the northwest extremity of Palestine). The feelings of its inhabitants toward him are not stated. But Joab soon appeared; and, without entering into any negotiations with them, made preparations for attack. "Taking advantage of an oblong knoll of natural... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 20:14

Abel - More commonly called 2 Samuel 20:15 “Abel-Beth-maachah” to distinguish it from other places of the name of “Abel” (a grassy plain). It is represented by the modern Abil-el-Kamh, a Christian village on the northwest of lake Huleh, the ancient Merom. Compare 2 Chronicles 16:4, “Abel-maim,” Abel by the water.And all the Berites - What this means is utterly unknown. Many approve of the reading of the Latin Version, connecting it with what follows: “And all the choice young men mustered and... read more

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