A Complete History and Mystery of the Old and New Testament, Biblical tract · Volume 2 · Commentary on 2 Samuel · Chapter 2
2 Samuel, CHAP. II.
THIS Chapter contains David's coming to the Kingdom of Judah, and the beginning of his State of Exaltation; as before is recorded the whole Hiſtory of David's State of Humiliation, a perfect Type of Chriſt his Antitype who paſſed likewiſe out of the one into the other. This Chapter conſiſts of three Parts, Antecedents, Concomitants and Conſequents. Firſt, The Antecedents have theſe Remarks, as
Firſt, David's beginning at the right end, and laying the foundation of his promiſed Kingdom in conſulting with God according to God's own Ordinance, Numb. 27.21. and notwithſtanding all his peerleſs perſecutions, he dare not now ſtir one ſtep without Divine direction, v. 1. having ſmarted ſo much for following his own Humane Policy and Prudence, 1 Sam. 27.1. He asks God, [To what City of Judah ſhall I go?] God Anſwers [To Hebron] Ziklag was only Achiſh's Donative to David, a remote place, ſo not for his preſent purpoſe: But God's gift to him was Hebron, the Metropolis of Judah, more antient than Zoan of Egypt, Numb. 13.22. a City of Refuge, Joſh. 20.7. and more Renowned becauſe the Patriarchs, (to whom Canaan was promiſed) lay Buried there, and thereby, as it were, held poſſeſſion of it.
The Second Remark is, Thither David went, as God directed him into the very heart of his own Tribe, whence he expected moſt Acceptance and Aſſiſtance, and his two Wives with him, ver. 2. to ſhare with him in his Proſperity, as they had done in his Adverſity.
N. B. Note well. Wherein we have a Type of Chriſt and his Church, which when It hath Suffered with him, ſhall alſo Reign with him, 2 Tim. 2.12. Luk. 22.28, 29. Our Lord will remove his Spouſe from the Land of her Baniſhment, from the Aſhes of her forlorn Ziklag, to the Hebron of her Peace and Glory; he hath taken order for it already, Joh. 17.24. and is gone a little before to Prepare Manſions for her, Joh. 14.2, 3. yea and counteth not himſelf compleat, Till he hath us all with him, Epheſ. 1.23. Nor doth David Caſhier thoſe his Men that had Mutinied at Ziklag, but brings them all along with him, ver: 3. and Billets them in the Country-Villages, that he might not be burdenſome to Hebron in Quartering too great a Company upon them: Thus our Lord forgets and forgives our many Murmurings, &c. and leads us into the Land of Bliſs.
The Third Remark is, Not only the Men of Judah Univerſally, v. 4. but alſo many Worthies out of ſeveral Tribes reſorted to David, 1 Chron. 12.1, 2, 3, 22. who all joined together to Elect him King over Judah; which Act might have been of pernicious conſequence, ſeeing the Right of Election belonged to all the Tribes, had not the Oracle of God directed David hereunto; and therefore it was no Sinful Schiſm: Yet notwithſtanding, not only Ambitious Abner took advantage at this Act to raiſe a Rebellion againſt David among the other Tribes, v. 8, 9. but alſo it became an ill preſident, and as it were a preparative to that fatal Schiſm in Rehoboam's Reign, which could never be patch'd up again.
The Second Part is the Concomitants. The Remarks of it are,
Firſt, The Elders of Judah with the Concurrence of the Worthies out of other Tribes, Anoint David King over Judah, v. 4. This was David's ſecond Anointing to be King: Samuel had Annoited him privately before, which only gave Jus ad Rem, not Jus in Re, a Right Title to it, but not an Actual Poſſeſſion of it, as this ſecond Anointing did: Now David was King both de Jure and de Facto. David had yet a Third Anointing after this by the whole Body of the People, chap. 5.3. which was Seven Years after this Second Anointing; as the Second had been Seven Years after that Firſt by Samuel.
N. B. As God was pleaſed on the one hand to exerciſe David's Faith with Seven Years Perſecution, Ʋntill his Soul became a weaned Child, Pſal. 131.2, 3. So on the other hand God was pleaſed to vouchſafe him Three Anointings to confirm his Faith in aſſurance of eſtabliſhment.
The Second Remark is, David's firſt Action after this his Solemn Inauguration at Hebron, namely, His Amicable Embaſſage to the Men of Jabeſh-Gilead about their Burying of Saul with an Honourable Burial, though in Peril of their own Lives, ver 4, 5, 6, 7. Some ſuppoſe they were Pick-thanks that out of ill will told David this ſtory, to exaſperate him againſt them, as Favourites to his Capital Enemy; but on the contrary, ſo far was David from grudging it, that he not only Cordially Prays that God would requite their Labour of Love to their Dead Sovereign, but alſo Royally Promiſes that himſelf would Reward them for this kind Act in Burying Saul, as he had Puniſhed the Amalekite for Killing him; and farther lets them know that the Men of Judah had made him their Leige-Lord, and if the Men of Jabeſh would do ſo, he would Protect them from the Philiſtines, (whom they had provoked by ſtealing Saul's Body from them,) as Saul had done for them from Nahaſh the Ammonite, 1 Sam. 11.11. Thus David uſeth lawful Policy, ſubſervient to God's Promiſe in obliging this warlike People.
The Third Remark is, Abner's ſeditious Defection from David, ſo ſoon as he ſaw David's Election to the Kingdom by the Tribe of Judah, ver 8, 9, 10, 11. Wherein Mark,
Firſt, Abner raiſes a ſedition againſt David, either (1.) From his Fidelity to Saul as nigh of Kin to him; or (2.) From Envy to David, a Riſing Sun of another Tribe, or (3.) From his Ambition of Rule, and retaining his place of Generaliſſimo, which he could not expect to hold under David.
Mark Secondly, Abner paſſeth by Mephiboſheth, (the right Heir as the Son of Jonathan) becauſe he was Young and Lame, ſo not fit for his Ambitious deſign: But he pitcheth upon Iſhboſheth, that Man of ſhame (as his Name in Hebrew-ſignifies) a Son of Saul, yet a weak and worthleſs perſon, but could better colour Abner's haughty Aims and Ends, than the Lame Child of Jonathan could do; ſo that Iſhboſheth ſhall only have the Name of a King, but Abner will have the power.
Mark Thirdly, In order hereunto he carrries this Wooden-Tool beyond Jordan to proclaim him King there, not only becauſe it was far from the Philiſtines ſo might recruit his Forces without diſturbance from that Enemy; but more eſpecially to ſecure to himſelf, thoſe brave valiant men of Jabeſh-Gilead, whom David had courted into a compliance with him by his Embaſſadours as above.
Mark Fourthly, Here Abner Proclaims Iſhboſheth King over all Iſrael, who was yet but his Stalking Horſe to ſerve his own turn; whence it is not ſaid that Iſhboſheth but that Abner made himſelf ſtrong for the Houſe of Saul, chap. 3.6.
Mark Fifthly, Abner acted all this, not only againſt the expreſs command of God, (declared by Samuel, that David ſhould Succeed Saul,) but alſo againſt the Light of his own Conſcience, as himſelf, (in a pang of Paſſion againſt his Mock-King) doth plainly acknowledge, chap. 3.9, 10, 18.
Mark Sixthly, Though it be ſaid Iſhboſheth Reigned but Two Years, it muſt be meant quietly and peaceably, before the enſuing War broke forth between him and David; for there was War betwixt the Houſe of Saul and the Houſe of David during Five Years till Iſhboſheth's Death, chap. 3.1. and 'tis ſaid here, v. 11. that David Reigned in Hebron Seven Years and Six Months: So long was God pleaſed to exerciſe David's Faith and Patience ſtill, before he brought him to the full poſſeſſion of the Crown and Kingdom over all Iſrael. God left Abner to the Pride of his own Heart, to croſs David in his progreſs.
The Third Part is the Conſequents, following the aforeſaid Concomitants of David's coming to the Crown at Hebron, namely, The Civil Ʋncivil-Wars betwixt Judah and Iſrael. Remarks hereupon are.
Firſt, Abner's undertaking this War againſt David, ver. 12, 13. Where Mark,
Firſt, Mahanaim (a place ſo named by Jacob, Gen. 32.1, 2.) was the place of Rendevouze of Abner's Army, which he Marcheth to Gibeon in the Countrey of Benjamin, Joſh. 8.25. near Judah, to reduce that Tribe from their Revolting from the Houſe of Saul to David.
Mark Secondly, David makes defence by Joab (his Siſters Son) whom he appointed his General, and though he had but one Tribe to ſtand by him, and many Tribes to withſtand him, yet ſeeing Judah's Tribe excelled the other both in ſtrength and number, and the followers of David had been oft Victorious, yea and many of the Ten Tribes were now come to joyn with David, 1 Chron. 12. per Totum But above all David having the Promiſe of God, dare oppoſe Abner in his Carier, though he had the greater Army; yet David not judging his Preſence neceſſary, commanded Joab not to begin the Battle, but to act the Defenſive part, becauſe he had ſworn to Saul that himſelf would not cut off his Seed, &c.
The Second Remark is, Abner's carrying on this Civil-War againſt David, ver. 14, 15, 16, 17. Wherein Two parts are very Remarkable, Firſt, The Praelude to the Battle, and Secondly, The Battle it ſelf. In the praelude Mark,
Firſt, Abner truſting to his greater numbers, makes the firſt Challenge: Joab (as before) was only upon the Defenſive part.
Mark Secondly, Abner was [Iſh Dammim, Hebrew] A Man of Bloods, and like a Souldier of Fortune, challengeth a Duel betwixt Twelve and Twelve on each ſide, ſaying. [Let them hack and hew one another, and make us ſport.]
Mark Thirdly, Joab was True Touch, as the Mad Gallants call it, and ſoon accepts of Abner's Challenge in this Deſperate Tryal of Skill, ver. 14. As to the Battle Mark,
(1.) It was at the firſt a Duelling Fight betwixt an equal number on both ſides, one to one, to try their Valour, v. 15.
Mark (2.) This Duel was Cruel, Bloody and Barbarous, that Brethren ſhould ſheath their Swords in one anothers Bowels, v. 16. This was Doghood rather than Manhood, borrowed from Goliah the firſt Challenger to a Duel we read of, and who ſaid to David [am I a Dog?] wherein he gave himſelf a right Litle, as the firſt founder of that Dogged practice; for Men like Dogs to tear the Fleſh one of another; So much contrary to the Law both of God and Man, to the righteous rule of Piety, Charity and Right-reaſon, that it was rather downright Madneſs and a Furious Phrenzy than any true Man-hood, or Genuine Courage and Valour. Though theſe two Bloody Generals (who had been ſo much fleſht with ſuch ſad Acts and Aſpects) could make a ſport to ſee it acted in others, till at laſt it came upon themſelves, for their thus tempting of God, and thus Truſting in an Arm of Fleſh, 2 Sam. 3.27. and 1 King. 2.34.
Mark (3.) Therefore the place was called Helkath Hazzurim,] a Field of Rocks; for a Monument of their Phrantick Madneſs (ſaith Peter Martyr) and not of regular Magnanimity.
Mark (4.) After this out-ragious frolick, [Ecce hic Duellum tranſit in Acre Bellum] a ſore Battle followed betwixt the two whole Armies, wherein Abner was beaten, v. 17. Joſephus ſaith, (with whom Rabanus and other Learned Men concurr) that Abner's Twelve Men only were ſlain, reſtraining the word [Every one] to Joab's Champions who caught them by the Long Hair of their Heads and ſtabbed them: And Abner (after the manner of the Hebrews obſerving Omens, as 1 Sam. 14.9, 10. … did hence prognoſticate his own Defeat, ſo ſled away in the Night when this was done by Day.
The Third Remark is, Joab's purſuit of Abner, wherein Aſahel was ſlain, (1.) By his own ſwiftneſs, out-running all that ſhould have ſaved him, v. 18, 19. (2.) By his own raſhneſs, in daring to meddle with one above his match, Impar congreſſus, Troilus cum Achille. (3.) By his own pertinacy, in obſtinately provoking Abner againſt all his diſwaſives either to Kill or be Killed, v. 20, 21, 22, 23. Abner was Conſcious of the badneſs of his Cauſe, and thought David would Conquer, then Joab David's General would revenge his Brother's Death, therefore preſſeth he upon Aſahel, not To contend with one Mightier than himſelf, Eccleſ. 6.10.
N. B. But when forced to it, He ſmote him under the Fifth Rib, where the Liver and Gall lay, a ſure killing place.
The Fourth Remark is, Abner's ſounding a Parley for ceaſing Acts of Hoſtility, which Joab accepts, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32. Where Mark,
Firſt, Abner was not ſo routed, but he could rally, and having got the Hill, he ſtands upon his guard, and tells Joab all Wars are woful, eſpecially Civil War; 'twas no policy to provoke a deſperate Enemy, rather make a bridge of Gold for his departure, than force him to fight; and that it muſt be bitter at laſt to Butcher poor Brethren, &c.
Mark Secondly, Joab owns the Truce, after he had chidden Abner for making the Challenge firſt, and after that Abner (as Joſephus ſaith) had excuſed himſelf to Joab for his killing Aſahel his Brother.
Mark Thirdly, Abner departed to Mahanaim, and as ſoon as got over Jordan, found he had loſt three hundred and ſixty Men, and Joab return'd to Hebron to tell David the glad Tidings of his Victory, and then went to bury Aſahel (whom he had loſt, and only Nineteen Men more) in a ſolemn Funeral at Bethlehem: Thus War was a Slaughter-Houſe on both ſides, ſo Lactantius (that Milky-Man) as his Name ſignifies, condemns it as unlawful.