Westminster Annotations, 2 Samuel (2 Kings) · Chapter 3 – Chapter 4
CHAP. III.
Vers. 1. LOng war] For it lasted five yeers and odd moneths from the first fight, Chap. 2. 12. to the death of Ish-bosheth: For Davids reign over Judah in Hebron, was seven yeers and six moneths, two of which were spent before that fight, Chap. 2. 11.
V. 2. sons born] So 1 Chro. 3. 1.
V. 3. Chileab] Called also Daniel, 1 Chro. 3. 1.
Geshur] A city situate in the north, on the frontier of Gilead, at the entrance of the valleys of Syria Trachonitis, Deut. 3. 14. Josh. 12. 5. 2 Sam. 15. 8.
V. 5. Davids wife] All the rest were his wives, and yet she onelyonly is so called, either because she was no otherwise known, as the other were, but by this title, or, to distinguish her from some other of the same name, or, the word wife may be referred to each one before named.
V. 7. Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah] Chap. 21. 10.
gone in] That is, defiled her, thereby aspiring to the kingdom. So Absalon, 2 Sam. 16. 21. and Adonijah, 1 King. 2. 27. and he chargeth him out of his own suspition, or report of others.
V. 8. a dogs head] Or, a dog-keeper; That is, doest thou esteem me no more then a dog, for all my service done to thy fathers house? So 1 Sam. 24. 15. Deut. 23. 18. and Chap. 9. 8. and 16. 9.
V. 9. So do God] See Ruth 1. 17.
V. 10. from Dan] That is, the whole land of Canaan, of which, these two places were the outmost limits, Dan in the north, and Beer-sheba in the south. See Judg. 20. 1. 1 King. 4. 25.
V. 11. feared him] That is, because of his great power, which he had with the people, especially the souldiers.
V. 12. on his behalf] Heb. in stead of himself; That is, in his own name. Others read it, because of this; That is, being enraged by this affront.
Whose is] That is, to whom belongeth of right the kingdom, but to thee, to whom God hath given it?
Make a league] That is, enter into Covenants with me, that thou wilt remit all that is past, receive me into favour, and give me such place and preferment as befitteth my person, and parts.
bring about] That is, cause them to leave Ish-bosheth, and become thy subjects.
V. 13. Well] That is, I like and accept of thy propositions. that is] Heb. saying.
Thou shalt] So Gen. 43. 3.
Michal] That is, Sauls daughter, both because she had been loving and faithfull to him, and also would now be some help, to gain, and confirm his kingdom by inclining Sauls party unto him.
V. 14. And David sent] It is like Abner desiring it, that he being backed with the kings authority, might the more easily effect it.
for an hundred foreskins of the Philistines] 1 Sam. 18. 25, 27.
V. 15. Phaltiel the son of Laish] 1 Sam. 25. 44. Phalti.
V. 16. along weeping] Heb. going and weeping.
Bahurim] In the tribe of Benjamin, Chap. 19. 16. situate upon the frontiers of Judah.
V. 17. Abner had] According to covenant with David.
in times past] Heb. both yesterday, and the third day.
V. 19. also spake] That is, to the same purpose as he had done to the elders of Israel, v. 17.
went also] That is, having received such an answer as satisfied him, from Israel and Benjamin, he himself went to carry the news of it to David.
Benjamin] Who are specially named, because Saul being of their tribe, was chiefly in their favour; and therefore, if they gave way to Davids title, little doubt was to be made of the other tribes.
V. 21. all Israel] That is, the greatest part, or all the chief of all states and conditions. So Matth. 3. 5. Phil. 2. 21.
over all] That is, all the tribes, or the whole kingdom.
V. 22. a troup] Of enemies, and as it is most likely, the Philistines, who had sent this troup to spoil the countrey.
V. 24. What hast thou done?] That is, thou hast done very inconsiderately in sending Abner away in peace.
V. 25. knowest Abner] That is, to be so politique and subtile.
going out] That is, all thy counsels and courses.
V. 26, after Abner] To wit, in Davids name; as if he had some further businesse of importance to speak of to him.
well of Sirah] Situate on the north of Hebron.
V. 27. took him aside] 1 Kings 2. 5.
quietly] Heb. peaceably; That is, to treat with him about the kings affairs in secret, and (as it were) in his ear, that no man might her him.
fifth rib] As he had done to his brother Asahel. See Chap. 2. 23.
V. 28. bloud] Heb. blouds.
V. 19. not fail] Heb. be cut off; That is, as long as his family, or any of it continueth, let some, or all of these evills befall them, 2 King. 5. 25.
an issue] See Levit. 15. 2.
on a staff] To wit, by reason of feeblenesse and lamenesse.
V. 30. and Abishai] So that both the brothers conspired in this murther, though Joab onelyonly did act it.
the battell] This is an aggravation of the murther, Abner slew Asahel in time of war, and unwillingly, but Joab Abner treacherously in time of peace.
V. 31. to Joab] He would have Joab present at the funerall, either for the more solemnity, or, that by the fight of this publike mourning he might be convinced of his sin, and brought to repentance.
Rent your clothes] See Genesis 37. 29, 34. and Chapter 1. 2.
bier] Heb. bed.
V. 33. as a fool] As a base coward, that foolishly yeeldeth himself to be slaughtered by his enemy, making no resistance.
V. 34. Thy hands] q. d. Though thou diddest thus die, yet thou wast truely valiant in all thy enterprises, as Joab should have found if he had fought with thee on equall termes.
wicked men] Heb. children of iniquity, Who have no respect to true valour, honour, or honesty.
V. 35. to eat meat] That is, to refresh himself after his great mourning, as Chap. 12. 17.
V. 36. pleased them] Heb. was good in their eyes.
V. 37. of the king] That is, not by his will, counsell, or instigation.
V. 38. a great man faln] And therefore they that killed him should be punished as murtherers, where there is power to do it.
V. 39. And I am this day weak] Heb. tender; That is, unsetled in my kingdom, and therefore of small power to see justice executed, especially on those murtherers who are in such favour with the people, and command the army.
the Lord] That is, though I be unable to inflict condign punishment on these potent offenders, yet the LORD in his due time will do it himself. So 1 King. 2. 5, 6. and 34.
CHAP. IIII.
Vers. 1. WEre feeble] That is, became weak both in courage and counsell. So Chap. 17. 2. Isai. 13. vers. 7.
were troubled] With the suddennesse of this ill news, because they knew not what would beco…e of the treaty of peace and reconciliation, Abner being dead, who did negotiate it.
V. 2. Sauls son] That is, Ish-bosheth.
of bands] Used to rove and spoil. So Chap. 3. 22.
other] Heb. second.
of Beniamin] See Josh. 9. 17. and 18. 25. Though now the Philistines possessed it, the Benjamites after Sauls discomfiture being fled out of it, 1 Sam. 31. 7.
V. 3. Gittaim] Some think that there were two cities of this name; one in Benjamin, Neh. 11. 33. another in the south frontiers of Judah, whither these Beerothites fled and inhabited; which they liked so well, that they returned not to their own city, to the time that this story was written.
V. 4. of Saul] That is, of their overthrow and death, 2 Sam. 32.
Jezreel] Where the battell was fought and lost, 1 Sam. 29. 1.
Mephibosheth] Called also Merib-baal, 1 Chron. 8. 34.
V. 5. went] That is, seeing all things grew worse and worse with him, and that David was likely to be king of all Israel, they resolved to slay him; and to this end now came, thinking hereby to gratifie David, and to endear their service; presuming of impunity, because there was none to revenge his death but Mephibosheth, who was but a childe, and also lame.
V. 6. fetched wheat] To wit, having disguised themselves in the habite of such as come to buy corn; or of porters, that came to carry away some that had been bought.
fifth rib] See Chap. 2. 23.
V. 7. away] From Mahanaim, where Ish-bosheth resided, Chap. 2. 8. 3. 27.
the plain] That is, between Jericho and Hebron.
thine enemie] They commend their service in killing I shbosheth, by putting him in minde of Sauls enmity, which they in this fact had revenged upon his son.
V. 10. one told me] Chap. 1. 4, 5.
Saul is dead] Saying withall, That upon Sauls request he did but help to kill him, and rid him out of pain, Chap. 1. 10.
(thinking to have brought good tidings] Hebr. he was in his own eyes as a bringer, &c.
who though that I would have given him a reward for his tidings] Or, which was the reward I gave him for his tidings.
V. 11. How much more] To wit, ought I severely to punish such as you, seeing neither the example of him that said he slew Saul, nor duty to your master, nor the innocency of the person, nor reverence of the place nor time, did deter you from committing such a treacherous and bloody fact.
a righteous] That is, who had done you no wrong.
V. 12. sepulchre of Abner] Chap. 3. 32.