2 Samuel 2

2 Samuel 2:1

ENquired] By the priest, putting on the brest-plate with the Urim and Thummim, Numbers 27:21.

Hebron] A city belonging to the priests in the tribe of Judah, Joshua 14:13. and 21. 10, 11.

2 Samuel 2:2

Nabals wife] That is, that had formerly been his wife, 1 Samuel 25:39. So Matthew 1:6.

2 Samuel 2:3

his men] That is, his fighting men or souldiers, that had accompanied him in his persecution.

in the cities] Which belonged to Hebron, which was the metropolis, or chief citie.

2 Samuel 2:4

anointed] 1 Macc. 2. 57. Hereby ratifying his former anointing by Samuel, 1 Samuel 16:13.

told David] To wit, enquiring what was done with Saul and Jonathans bodies, as being willing to have them buried i an honourable manner, 1 Samuel 31:13.

2 Samuel 2:5

said unto them] To wit, by his messengers.

Blessed] That is, the LORD multiply upon you all hi blessings.

2 Samuel 2:6

and truth] According to his promise, which is to recompense subjects that are loyall and faithfull to their Soveraigns.

2 Samuel 2:7

be ye valiant] Heb. be ye sons of valeur] Be not dismayed, though you have lost your lord, for I whom the house of Judah, according to Gods appointment, hae anointed king, will supply unto you all good things which you have lost by his death. And thus David useth all lawfull policy and good means, to gain the peoples love, though he had assurance from God that he should be king.

2 Samuel 2:8

Sauls host] Heb. the host which was Sauls.

took Ish-bosheth] Called Eshbaal, 1 Chronicles 8:33. and him he set up to be king, either out of love and fidelity to his old master, or, because he was his neer kinsman, or knowing him to be but a weak man, he presumed, that he should have under him a greater stroke in the government, then he could expect under David, though he knew Gods will to the contrary, Chap. 3. 9, 10, 18.

Mahanaim] Situate beyond Jordan on the river Jabbok, neer Jabez. Gilead. See the reason of the name, Genesis 32:2.

2 Samuel 2:9

Gilead] That is, over all the countrey beyond Jordan.

Ashurites] The tribe of Asher, on the north of Canaan.

Jezreel] Situate almost in the midst of Canaan, and on the borders of Zebulun, half the tribe of Manasseh and Issachar, in which tribe it was.

all Israel] To wit, Judah onely excepted.

2 Samuel 2:10

two yeers] To wit, after these wars between him and David began; for he had reigned over Israel before, all the time that David raigned in Hebron over Judah, that is, five yeers and six moneths before these wars, though it is not like they lived in peace all the time before; howsoever this was the chief war that was between them in these two yeers. See Ch. 3. 1.

2 Samuel 2:11

time that David] Heb. numler of dayes, Chap. 5. 5.

2 Samuel 2:12

went out] To wit, to wage war against David and Judah.

Gibeon] Situate in the tribe of Benjamin. See Joshua 9:3.

2 Samuel 2:13

Joab] Davids chief captain now, and afterwards generall of his army, and nephew, 1 Chro. 2. 16. and 11. 6.

together] Heb. them together.

Gibeon] On the south-side without Gibeon.

2 Samuel 2:14

play before us] Try their valour by skirmishing together, we in the mean while being quiet, and looking on the spectacle, like an old souldier, flesht with blood, who makes but a play of death.

2 Samuel 2:16

his fellow] That is, his antgonist or adversary.

fell down] All slain by one another.

Helkath-hazzurim] That is, the field of valiant champions, or combatants, who like rocks, stood firm in their place; or, of the points of swords, because they thrust them into one another.

2 Samuel 2:18

as light] As swift in running, hyperbole.

of foot] Heb. of his feet.

as a wild roe] Heb. as one of the roes that is in the field.

2 Samuel 2:19

from following Alner] Heb. from after Alner.

2 Samuel 2:21

armour] Or, speil.

2 Samuel 2:22

wherefore] q. d. I am very loth to kill thee (if thou doest not too much urge, and presse upon me) for thy brothers sake.

how then] With what confidence can I look for any peace or reconciliation with him, having killed his brother.

2 Samuel 2:23

hinder end] With the pike of his spear in the lower end, for their spears were double pointed.

fifth rib] That is, under the lowest of the short ribs (which are five in number) neer the belly; out of which wound his guts came forth. So Chap. 3. 27. 4. 6. 20. 10. or in that place, which in likelihood was below the usuall armour, which also was a place of great danger.

2 Samuel 2:24

to the hill] To which Abner retreated, that having the advantage of the upper ground, they might the better stand upon their defence.

2 Samuel 2:25

gathered themselves] To wit, into one main body, or battalia on the top of one hill.

2 Samuel 2:26

Shall the sword] That is, wilt thou put no end to slaughter?

be bitternesse] That is, be unto thee a cause of grief, when thou shalt consider, that those whom thou hast slaughtered, are thy brethren, of the same nation and religion.

2 Samuel 2:27

thou hadst spoken] First challenged and provoked us to the fight, vers. 14.

in the morning] Heb. from the morning.

the people] I should have caused my souldiers to have marched away, and not to have given battle to their brethren.

gone up] Or, gone away.

2 Samuel 2:29

Bithron] Which are called the mountains of Bether, Cant. 2. 17. That is, of separation, because lying in Gilead, they were by Jordan separated from Canaan.

2 Samuel 2:31

had smitten] That is, slain.

Abners men] That is, of his partie, to wit, of all the other tribes, besides Benjamin.