2Sa 3 | TSK | STEP | During the war David still waxes stronger. Six sons are born to him in Hebron. Abner, displeased with Ish-bosheth, revolts to David. David requires as a condition to bring him his wife Michal. Abner, having communed with the Israelites, is feasted by David, and dismissed. Joab returning from battle, is displeased with the king, and kills Abner. David curses Joab; and mourns for Abner. long war. between. David waxed.

Wherefore.This action of Abner's seems a most evident proof that he intended to seize on the government; and it was so understood by Ish-bosheth; see Parallel Texts.

gone in.

12:8; 16:21,22; 1Ki 2:17,21,22

Abner.

Ps 76:10; Mr 6:18,19

Am I a dog's head.This was a proverbial expression among the Hebrews to denote whatever was deemed worthless and contemptible. Something similar to this was the answer of the Turkish commander at Beer, on the Euphrates, to a request made to see the castle. "Do they," said he, "take me for a child, or an ass's head, that they would feed me with sweet meats, and dupe me with a bit of cloth? No, they shall not see the castle."

9:8; 16:9; De 23:18; 1Sa 24:14,15; 2Ki 8:13

do shew.

9,18; 5:2; 1Sa 15:28; Ps 2:1-4; Isa 37:23; Ac 9:4,5

So do God.

35; 19:13; Ru 1:17; 1Sa 3:17; 14:44; 25:22; 1Ki 19:2

as the Lord.

1Sa 15:28; 16:1-13; 28:17; 1Ch 12:23; Ps 89:3,4,19,20,35-37

from Dan.

17:11; 24:2; Jud 20:1; 1Ki 4:25

because.

Whose.

19:6; 20:1-13

Make.

Ps 62:9; Lu 16:5-8

my hand.

21,27; 5:1-3; 19:14,41-43; 20:1,2; 1Ch 11:1-3; 12:38-40; Mt 21:8-10

that is. Heb. saying. Thou shalt.

Ge 43:3; 44:23,26

except.As Michal was not divorced, but violently separated from David, he had a legal right to demand her, and was justified in receiving her again. It is probable, also, that her marriage with Phaltiel was a force upon her inclinations; and whatever affections he might have for her, it was highly criminal for him to take another man's wife. David required Michal probably both out of affection for her, and to strengthen his interest, by asserting his affinity with the house of Saul.

Michal.

20-23; 1Sa 18:20-28; 19:11-17; 1Ch 15:29

Ish-bosheth.

2:10

and hundred.

1Sa 18:25,27

Phaltiel.

1Sa 25:44

Phalti.

along weeping. Heb. going and weeping.

Pr 9:17,18

Bahurim.

16:5; 17:18; 19:16; 1Ki 2:8

in times past. Heb. both yesterday and the third day.

for the Lord.

9; 1Sa 13:14; 15:28; 16:1,12,13; Joh 12:42,43

By the hand.

Ps 89:3,4,19-23; 132:17,18

Benjamin.

1Sa 10:20,21; 1Ch 12:29; Ps 68:27

David.

Ge 26:30; 31:54; Es 1:3

will gather.

10,12; 2:9; Php 2:21

reign over.

1Ki 11:37; Ps 20:4

What hast.Joab and his brother Abishai, David's nephews, had been very faithful and highly useful to him in his distresses; and, from gratitude and natural affection, he had inadvertently permitted them to assume almost as much ascendancy over him as Abner had over the pusillanimous Ishbosheth: he trusted and feared them too much, and allowed them all the importance they claimed; which had emboldened them, especially Joab, to a high degree of presumption.

8,39; 19:5-7; Nu 23:11; Joh 18:35

that he came.

27; 2Ki 18:32; *marg:

Joh 7:12,47; Ro 2:1

and to know.

10:3; Ge 42:9,12,16; Nu 27:17; De 28:6; 1Sa 29:4-6; Ps 121:8

Isa 37:28

he sent.

Pr 26:23-26; 27:4-6

took him.

20:9,10; De 27:24; 1Ki 2:5,32

quietly. or, peaceably.

Jer 41:2,6,7

and smote.Joab was afraid that Abner, after rendering such essential service to David, would be made the general of the army; and therefore, under pretence of avenging the death of his brother, he treacherously assassinated the unsuspecting and too-confiding Abner: and such was the power of this cool-blooded and nefarious murderer, that the king dared not bring him to justice for his crime. But, while Joab's conduct cannot be too severely reprobated, the justice of God is apparent in Abner's punishment; who, from ambition, had pertinaciously, against his conscience, opposed the declared will of God; and was induced by base resentment to desert Ish-bosheth, and offer his services to David: see ver. 6-10; 4:6.

for the blood.

2:19-23

guiltless.

Ge 9:6; Ex 21:12; Nu 35:33; De 21:1-9; Mt 27:24

blood. Heb. bloods.

Ge 4:10; *marg:

rest.

1:16; Jud 9:24,56,57; 1Ki 2:31-34; Ac 28:4; Re 16:6

let there.

1Sa 2:32-36; 2Ki 5:27; Ps 109:8-19

fail. Heb. be cut off. an issue.

Le 13:44-46; 2Ki 5:1

slew Abner.

Pr 28:17; Ac 28:4

because.

2:19-23

And David.David, intending no doubt to punish Joab, and to lessen his authority with the people, commanded him to take upon him the office of chief mourner; but, as his revenge was gratified, his rival removed, and no heavier punishment inflicted, it is probable his hardened mind would feel but little objection to the ceremony.

Rend.

1:2,11; Ge 37:29,34; Jos 7:6; Jud 11:35; 2Ki 19:1

bier. Heb. bed.

Lu 7:14

lifted.

1:12; 18:33; 1Sa 30:4; Job 31:28; Pr 24:17; Lu 19:41,42

as a fool dieth.That is, as a bad man, as the word frequently signifies in Scripture.

13:12,13,28,29; Pr 18:7; Ec 2:15,16; Jer 17:11; Lu 12:19,20

hands.The hand of malefactors were usually secured with cords, and their feet with fetters; a custom to which David affectingly alludes in his lamentation over the dust of Abner. Thy hands, O Abner, were not bound, as found to be a malefactor, nor thy feet put in fetters; thou was treated with honour by him whose business it was to judge thee, and thy attachment to the house of Saul was esteemed rather generous than culpable: as the best of men may fall, so thou fellest by the sword of treachery, not of justice.

Jud 16:21; Ps 107:10,11

wicked men. Heb. children of iniquity.

Job 24:14; Ho 6:9

wept.

1:12

cause.

12:17; Jer 16:7; Eze 24:17,22

So do.

9; Ru 1:17

till the.

1:12; Jud 20:26

pleased them. Heb. was good in their eyes. as.