2 Samuel 2:22-36

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:18-24

We have here the contest between Abner and Asahel. Asahel, the brother of Joab and cousin-german to David, was one of the principal commanders of David's forces, and was famous for swiftness in running: he was as light of foot as a wild roe (2 Sam. 2:18); this he got the name of by swift pursuing, not swift flying. Yet, we may suppose, he was not comparable to Abner as a skilful experienced soldier; we must therefore observe, I. How rash he was in aiming to make Abner his prisoner. He pursued... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:25-32

Here, I. Abner, being conquered, meanly begs for a cessation of arms. He rallied the remains of his forces on the top of a hill (2 Sam. 2:25), as if he would have made head again, but becomes a humble supplicant to Joab for a little breathing-time, 2 Sam. 2:26. He that was most forward to fight was the first that had enough of it. He that made a jest of bloodshed (Let the young men arise and play before us, 2 Sam. 2:14) is now shocked at it, when he finds himself on the losing side, and the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:22

And Abner said again to Asahel ,.... Being loath to dispatch him: turn thee aside from following me, wherefore should I smite thee to the ground ? which was giving him fair warning, and letting him know what he must expect, if he did not desist from his pursuit: how then should I hold up my face to Joab thy brother ? the general of David's army, a stout valiant commander, a man of spirit and resentment, whom Abner knew full well, and that should he slay his brother, he would never be... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:23

Howbeit, he refused to turn aside ,.... Determined on making him his captive if possible. Wherefore Abner, with the hinder end of the spear ; he had in his hand, which seems to have had a pike at both ends; so that with the hinder end of it, next to Asahel, he thrust it at him, without turning to him: and smote him under the fifth rib ; the place where hang the gall and liver, as the Jewish commentators from their Talmud F9 T. Bab. Sanhedrin, fol. 49. 1. observe. There are... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:24

Joab also and Abishai pursued after Abner ,.... Or rather but Joab, &c.; F14 "Autem", V. L. Tiguriue version; "sed", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; so Kimchi. . They stood not still as the rest, but, filled with indignation and resentment, pursued after Abner, to be avenged on him: and the sun went down when they came to the hill of Ammah ; a hill by the side of which was a pool of water, as Kimchi thinks, and from thence so called: that lieth before Giah ; a place... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:25

And the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together after Abner ,.... Either those that were with him before, who upon the battle were dispersed, but now got together again; or others of that tribe, who, hearing of the defeat of Abner, went out of the several cities after him, to strengthen his hands, and renew the fight with Joab: and became one troop ; were united together in a body, and became a regular troop: and stood on the top of an hill ; which was some advantage to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:26

Then Abner called to Joab ,.... For having now a troop of men with him, he could stop with the greater safety; and being on an hill, and perhaps Joab on one opposite to him, could call to him, so as to be heard: and said, shall the sword devour for ever ? slay men, and devour their blood. See Jeremiah 46:10 . That he was not thoughtful of, nor concerned about, when he set the young men to fighting before the battle, and called it play to wound and shed the blood of each other; but now... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:27

And Joab said, as God liveth ,.... Which was the form of an oath, swearing by the living God: unless thou hadst spoken ; that is, these words in 2 Samuel 2:14 ; "let the young men arise and play", that he had not given the challenge to fight: surely then in the morning the people had gone up everyone from following his brother ; they would have gone away and never fought at all; they were not desirous of shedding their blood, and following after them to slay them: thus he lays the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:28

So Joab blew a trumpet ,.... Or caused one to be blown as a signal of a retreat: and all the people stood still, and pursued after Israel no more ; as soon as they heard the trumpet sound, the meaning of which they understood, they stepped at once, and left off their pursuit: neither fought they any more ; that day, and perhaps no pitched battle afterwards; for none we read of, though the war continued after this a long time, and there might be often skirmishes, which greatly... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:29

And Abner and his men walked all that night through the plain ,.... The plain of Jordan. He marched with his men all night, lest Joab should return, and pursue him, and take vengeance on him for the death of his brother: and passed over Jordan ; at one of the fords of it: and went through all Bithron ; the name of a province or country, as Jarchi, called so perhaps from its being separated from the rest of the tribes of Israel by the river Jordan; some think the mountains of Bether... read more

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