The Second Book of Samuel, otherwise called the Second Book of the Kings
2 Samuel 3
Chapter III · Vol. II, pp. 678–681
1 During the war David still waxeth stronger. 2 Six sons were born to him in Hebron. 6 Abner, displeased with Ishbosheth, 12 revolteth to David. 13 David requireth a condition to bring him his wife Michal. 17 Abner, having communed with the Israelites, is feasted by David, and dismissed. 22 Joab, returning from battle, is displeased with the king, and killeth Abner. 28 David curseth Joab, 31 and mourneth for Abner.
1 Now there was along war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but bDavid waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker.
a 1 Ki.14.30; 15.16. Ge.3.15. Ga.5.17. Ep.6.12.
b Job 8.7; 17.9. Pr.4.18,19. Da.2.34. Es.6.13.
2 And unto David cwere sons born in Hebron:1 and his first-born was dAmnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;
c 1 Ch.3.1-4.
1 While David's history will hereafter present him as a valiant warrior for his country's deliverance, and a zealous agent in the reformation and extension of religion, he will often be seen in deep distress, mainly arising from his own family. And the visible cause may here be noted in its fountain-head—the number of his wives, which these times of ignorance had introduced, and the consequent want of sympathy, and opposition of interests among his children.—C.
d ch.xiii. Ge.49.3,4.
3 And his second, eChileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, fAbsalom, the son of Maacah, the daughter of gTalmai king of hGeshur;2
e Or, Daniel, 1 Ch.3.1.
f ch.13.20-38; xiv.-xviii.
g ch.13.37.
h Jos.13.11,13. De.3.14. 1 Ch.3.2.
2 Some think he had become acquainted with her on one of his incursions into that country, when he resided at Ziklag. Yet there was another Geshur to the north, and it is doubtful which of the two is intended here.—I.
4 And the fourth, iAdonijah, the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah, the son of Abital;
i 1 Ki.1.5-53; 2.13-25. 1 Ch.3.2.
5 And the sixth, Ithream, by Eglah, David's wife.3 These were born to David in Hebron.
3 His first or best beloved wife.
6 And it came to pass, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner made khimself strong for the house of Saul.
7 And Saul had a concubine, whose name was lRizpah, the daughter of Aiah: and Ish-bosheth said to Abner, Wherefore hast thou gonem in unto my father's concubine?3
A.M. 2950. B.C. 1054.
l ch.21.10.
m ch.16.21. 1 Ki.2.21,22. This was considered as a step to usurp the throne.
3 Ishbosheth understood his taking of his father's concubine, not as an act in which there was any moral criminality, but as an evidence of his secret purpose to usurp the name, as he already held the real power, of king. C.——According to eastern usages, the concubines of a deceased sovereign became the property of his successor, in so peculiar a sense (see the cases of Absalom, ch.20.23; and Adonijah, 1 Ki.2.13-25), that the action of Abner might be justly interpreted as a design upon the crown; it was at least so insulting an encroachment on the rights of royalty, that it roused the jealousy even of the timid Ishbosheth.—J.
8 Then was Abner nvery wroth for the words of Ish-bosheth, and said, Am I a odog's head, which against Judah do show kindness this day unto the house of Saul thy father, to his brethren, and to his friends, and have not delivered thee into the hand of David, that thou chargest me to-day with a fault concerning this woman?
o De.23.18. ch.9.8; 16.9. 1 Sa.24.14. 2 Ki.8.13.
9 Sop do God to Abner, and more also, except, as the LORD hath qsworn to David, even so I do to him;
p Ru.1.17. 1 Sa.25.22. 1 Ki.19.2.
10 To translate the kingdom from the house of Saul, and to set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, rfrom Dan even to Beer-sheba.
11 And he could not answer Abner a word again, because he feared him.
12 And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, sWhose is the land?4 saying also, tMake thy league with me, and, behold, my hand shall be with thee, to bring about all Israel unto thee.
s 1 Sa.13.14; 15.28.
4 Abner sent messengers to David on his own behalf (literally, 'from under him'), saying, 'Whose is the land?' i.e. to whom does it belong but to thee?—P.
13 And he said, Well; I will make a league with thee: but one thing I require of thee, that is,5 Thouu shalt not see my face, except thou first bring Michal,6 Saul's daughter, when thou comest to see my face.
5 Heb. saying.
u Ge.43.3.
6 A token of affection and grateful remembrance of her kindness, on occasion of his flight from her father's court. And as she had not been divorced, but taken from him and compelled to marry another, there was no impropriety in demanding her freedom and restoration. Her restoration was also an act of sound policy, as it would strengthen David's interest with the tribe of Benjamin.—C.
14 And David sent messengers to Ish-bosheth, Saul's son, saying, Deliver me xmy wife Michal, which I espoused to me for an hundred foreskins of the Philistines.
15 And Ish-bosheth sent, and took her from her husband, even yfrom Phaltiel the son of Laish.
y 1 Sa.25.44, Phalti.
16 And her husband went with her along weepingz behind her to aBahurim.7 Then said Abner unto him, Go, return. And he returned.
17 And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, Ye sought for David in times past8 to be king over you:
8 Heb. yesterday and the third day.
18 Now then do it; for the bLORD hath spoken of David, saying, cBy the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies.9
b 1 Sa.13.14; 15.28, with ch.2.8,9.
c Nu.24.10. Ps.89.19-24. Ge.49.8-10. 1 Sa.16.1,13.
9 We do not find this promise expressly recorded, but it is implied in all God's procedure towards David.—J.
19 And Abner also spake in the ears of dBenjamin:1 and Abner went also to speak in the ears of David in Hebron all that seemed good to Israel, and that seemed good to the whole house of Benjamin.2
1 It was especially necessary to take some pains with this tribe, as they were devoted to the family of Saul, who had been one of them.—J.
2 That is, he detailed to him the conditions upon which they were disposed to acknowledge him as king. See ver.21.—C.
20 So Abner came to David to Hebron, and twenty men with him. And eDavid made Abner, and the men that were with him, a feast.
21 And Abner said unto David, I will arise and go, and will gather fall Israel unto my lord the king, that they may make a league with thee, and that thou mayest reign over all that thine heart desireth. And David sent Abner away; and he went in peace.
22 And, behold, the servants of David and Joab came from pursuing a troop,3 and brought in a great spoil with them: but Abner was not with David in Hebron; for he had sent him away, and he was gone in peace.
3 Of Ishbosheth's forces; or rather of Philistines, Arabians, Amalekites, &c.
23 When Joab and all the host that was with him were come, they told Joab, saying, Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he hath sent him away, and he is gone in peace.
24 Then Joab came to the king, and said, What hast thou done?4 behold, Abner came unto thee; why is it that thou hast sent him away, and he is quite gone?5
4 Joab had in David a very different character from what Abner had in Ishbosheth. Yet both monarchs were overruled by their generals. Joab takes him to task, acts independently of him, commits a murder which David deplores and abhors; yet, by means of his military power and political influence, it is beyond David's power to punish him. C.——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 ascendency 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.—J.
5 Heb. going gone.
25 Thou knowest Abner the son of Ner, that he came to gdeceive thee, and to know thy hgoing out, and thy coming in, and to know all that thou doest.
26 And when Joab was come out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, which brought him again from the well of Sirah: but David knew it not.
27 And when Abner was returned to Hebron, iJoab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly,6 and smote him there under the fifth rib, that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.
28 And afterward, when David heard it, he said, I and my kingdom are kguiltless before the LORD for ever from the lblood of Abner the son of Ner:
k Ge.31.53. Job 31.2,4. De.21.7. Ps.7.3,4.
l Heb. bloods, Ge.4.9,10.
29 Letm it rest on the head of Joab, and on all his father's house; and let there not fail from the house of Joab one that hath an issue, or that is a leper, or that leaneth on a staff, or that falleth on the sword, or that lacketh bread.7
m Ju.9.24. Re.16.6; 13.10. 1 Sa.2.31,36. 2 Ki.5.27. Ps.109.8-19; 140.11; 55.23.
7 This is not a passionate imprecation, it is a terrible prophetic utterance, against a powerful, ambitious, unprincipled, and revengeful man—foretelling that retribution with which a righteous Providence would continue to visit his sins, not merely upon himself, but upon that posterity for whose aggrandizement he sinned.—C.
30 So Joab and Abishai his brother nslew Abner, because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.
31 And David said to Joab, and to all the people that were with him, oRend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. And king David himself followed the pbier.
o Ge.37.29,34. Jos.7.6. 2 Ki.19.1. ch.1.11. Ju.11.35.
p Heb. bed, Lu.7.14. In it dead bodies were carried to the grave.
32 And they buried Abner in Hebron: and the king lifted up his voice, and qwept at the grave of Abner; and all the people wept.
q Job 31.29. Pr.24.17. Ro.12.15. Ps.35.13,14.
33 And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth?8
8 He died, not by his own cowardice, but by Joab's treachery.
34 Thy hands were not bound, nor thy feet put into fetters:9 as a man falleth before wicked men,1 so fellest thou.2 And all the people rwept again over him.
9 The word rendered 'fool' should be translated criminal. The hands of malefactors were secured with cords and their feet with chains; but that had not been done to Abner, yet he suffered death like a criminal, though unconvicted of any crime. He fell by the hand of treachery, and not of justice.—J.
1 Heb. children of iniquity.
2 This brief funeral oration ought to have produced a deep impression upon the mind of Joab; but, his feeling of revenge for his brother Asahel, and his ambitious fears of a rival in Abner, seem to have seared his conscience. The people evidently thought with David, the army with Joab their favourite general.—C.
35 And when all the people came to scause David to eat meat while it was yet day, David sware, saying, tSo do God to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or ought else, till the sun be down.
36 And all the people took notice of it, and it pleased them;3 as whatsoever the king did pleased all the people.4
3 Heb. was good in their eyes.
4 There are always 'tides in the affairs of men' either for good or evil. David was now in the very height of popularity; and God who gave it, enabled David to improve it in correcting the abuses of government and reorganizing the ordinances of religion.—Note, If any species of popular favour be employed to foster personal pride or vanity, it is evil; if turned to the advancement of public good, it is a blessing to be prized.—C.
37 For all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not of the king to slay Abner the son of Ner.
38 And the king said unto his servants, Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel?
39 And I am this day uweak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah be too hard for me:5 the LORD xshall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness.
u Ex.21.12. 2 Ch.19.6. Pr.25.5; 21.3. Ro.13.4. Ge.9.6. ch.19.7.
5 If David's nephews, Joab and Abishai, were 'too hard for him,' why did he not depose them? Because of their power with the army. But if David publicly condemned their proceedings, why did not they depose him? Because of his favour with the people.—C.
x 1 Ki.2.5,6,33,34. Ps.62.12; 101.8; 75.2,10. Pr.21.3; 20.8; 1.31; 13.21. Is.3.11. Mat.7.2. Ju.1.7. Je.2.17,19; 4.18; 5.25; 6.19. Ro.2.8,9.
Notes
Reflections.—It is vain to struggle against the purpose and promise of God; for sure, though gradual, are the honours and triumphs which come from above. How often might men have had as many children, and much more comfort in them, in keeping close to God's ordinance of one wife. For those things frequently prove our greatest scourges in which we promised ourselves the greatest comfort. Wicked men's folly and sin are made subservient to the fulfilment of God's promises or purposes. But rash accusation seldom issues well; and proud men can as seldom bear a reproof from those whom they have greatly obliged. Weak kings are but slaves to their own servants. And there is but little dependence to be placed on those whose zeal for our service is but to gratify their own ambition. It reflects little honour upon us when humour, not conscience, reduces us to our duty. It is indeed our duty to undeceive those whom we have imposed upon. But wicked suppressors of the truth, fighters against their conscience, and traitors to those who have trusted them, have seldom either the grace or honour to be distinguished instruments in the great works of God. While wicked men are proud enough to overbear their superiors, they are often base enough to stoop to the most detestable treachery, in order to gratify their revenge or destroy their suspected rivals. How hard is it when kings can only mourn over crimes committed, but dare not punish them, because of the power of the guilty! Long impunity makes sinners confident. But though murder may pass unpunished for a while, the justice due to it will come at last; and God will not suffer the transgressor to escape.