2 Samuel 3:5-8

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 3:1-6

Here is, I. The struggle that David had with the house of Saul before his settlement in the throne was completed, 2 Sam. 3:1. 1. Both sides contested. Saul's house, though beheaded and diminished, would not fall tamely. It is not strange between them, but one would wonder it should be a long war, when David's house had right on its side, and therefore God on its side; but, though truth and equity will triumph at last, God made for wise and holy ends prolonged the conflict. The length of this... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 3:7-21

Here, I. Abner breaks with Ish-bosheth, and deserts his interest, upon a little provocation which Ish-bosheth unadvisedly gave him. God can serve his own purposes by the sins and follies of men. 1. Ish-bosheth accused Abner of no less a crime than debauching one of his father's concubines, 2 Sam. 3:7. Whether it was so or no does not appear, nor what ground he had for the suspicion: but, however it was, it would have been Ish-bosheth's prudence to be silent, considering how much it was his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 3:5

And the sixth, Ithream, by Eglah David's wife ,.... Who also is not spoken of in any other place; only, in a like chronological account as the former, it is remarked that the mother of this only is called David's wife; the reason of which is supposed to be, either because she was a person of no note, and had nothing else to distinguish her; but the same may be said of the two foregoing; or because she was his beloved wife, his heifer, as her name signifies; hence the Jews F25 T. Bab.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 3:6

And it came to pass, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David ,.... As long as that continued, as it did until the following quarrel happened between Ishbosheth and Abner: that Abner made himself strong for the house of Saul ; or was strongly in the interest of that house, and used his utmost endeavours to support and confirm it. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 3:7

And Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah ,.... By whom he had two sons, 2 Samuel 21:8 . Josephus F1 Antiqu. l. 7. c. 1. sect. 4. calls her father's name Sibathus: and Ishbosheth said to Abner ; though the word "Ishbosheth" is not in the text, it is rightly supplied; for no other can be supposed to speak: wherefore hast thou gone in unto my father's concubine ? and defiled her; though perhaps it was not so much the act of uncleanness that so... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 3:8

Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Ishbosheth ,.... If false he had a good deal of reason for it; and if true, he thought he deserved better at his hands, than to be reproved for and upbraided with what he might think was a very small fault, and might easily be connived at, and especially in one that had been so serviceable to him: and said, am I a dog's head ; such a mean, vile, contemptible person with thee, as if no better than a dog, and as useless and as unserviceable as a... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 3:6

Abner made himself strong - This strengthening of himself, and going in to the late king's concubine, were most evident proofs that he wished to seize upon the government. See 1 Kings 2:21 , 1 Kings 2:22 ; 1 Kings 12:8 ; 1 Kings 16:21 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 3:8

Am I a dog ' s head - Dost thou treat a man with indignity who has been the only prop of thy tottering kingdom, and the only person who could make head against the house of David? read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 3:1-5

( HEBRON .) The house of David. 1 . The theocracy had its chief support in David and his house. On him also rested the Messianic hope ( 2 Samuel 7:13 ). Hence the importance which attaches to events of his life that would otherwise have been left unrecorded. 2 . "The summary narrative of these seven years presents the still youthful king in a very lovable light. The same temper which had marked his first acts after Saul's death is here strikingly brought out. He seems to have... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 3:1-11

Rival interests. The facts are: 1. A desultory war is carried on between the house of Saul and the house of David, in which the latter has the advantage. 2 . David has six sons born to him while at Hebron. 3 . A quarrel arises between Abner and Ishbosheth, consequent on an accusation resented by Abner. 4 . Abner charges his master with ingratitude, and threatens to transfer his allegiance to David. 5 . In seeking to give emphasis to his threat, Abner indicates his... read more

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