2 Samuel 3:7-21 NIV

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 3:7

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 3:14

And David sent messengers to Ishbosheth, Saul's son ,.... When Abner's messengers returned to him, and acquainted him with the condition of David's entering into a league with him, it is highly probable that Abner sent them or others to David, to let him know that he could not do this of himself; that it was advisable for him to write to Ishbosheth, whose sister she was, and demand her of him; and that then he would use his interest with Ishbosheth to grant it, and this method David took: ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 3:15

And Ishbosheth sent and took her from her husband ,.... Her second husband, to whom Saul had given her, 1 Samuel 25:44 , even from Phaltiel the son of Laish ; he is called Phalti in 1 Samuel 25:44 . read more

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 3:14

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 3:15

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