2 Samuel 3:6-21

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 3:6

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 3:9

So do God to Abner, and more also ,.... He wishes the worst of evils to himself, such as he cared not to name; but left them to be supposed what he meant as utter ruin and destruction of himself, soul and body: except as the Lord hath sworn to David, even so I do to him ; meaning if he did not do that David, which God had sworn should be done, namely, what follows, the translation of the kingdom to him; by which it appears that Abner knew of the promise and oath of God respecting this... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 3:10

To translate the kingdom from the house of Saul ,.... Which was what the Lord had sworn to do, 1 Samuel 15:28 ; and which Abner now threatens to do, insolently taking that to himself which belonged to the Lord, and as if he could not do it without him: and to set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah ; over the one as well as over the other; for it was set over Judah already: from Dan even unto Beersheba ; which were the utmost borders of the land of Israel, from north... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 3:11

And he could not answer Abner a word again ,.... That is, he would not, he durst not; otherwise, if it was fact he charged him with, he could have insisted on the truth of it, and aggravated the crime and scandal of it; and observed it to him, that the kindness he had shown him was no excuse for it; but such things, though he would, he durst not say: because he feared him ; he had the army at his command, and could dethrone him when he pleased; and it has been the fate of greater men... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 3:12

And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf ,.... On his own account, and not on the account of Ishbosheth, or the people of Israel; but to obtain terms for himself, or in his own name, as representing him and standing in his stead; or secretly, as Kimchi explains it, unknown to Ishbosheth, or the people of Israel. The Targum is,"out of his place;'he sent them from the place where he was, from Mahanaim: saying, whose is the land ? the land of Israel, is it not thine, David? verily... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 3:13

And he said, well, I will make a league with thee ,.... He accepted of the offer, he was ready and willing to enter into a covenant of friendship with him, and forgive all past offences: but one thing I require of thee ; as the condition of this covenant: that is, thou shall not see my face ; be admitted into my presence, or have any mark of my favour and respect: except thou first bring Michal, Saul's daughter, when thou comest to see my face ; he insisted on it that Michal,... read more

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