Bible Commentary (1871–1879 Edition) (continued)
David Goes to Hebron, and is viade King. 2 SAMUEL II, 111. Asahel Slain by Abner,
56.. 45.; 60.; 80.; 100.) AUhongli the words "use of" are a supplement by our translators, they may be riglitly introduced, for the natural sense of this parenthetical verse dom, which, however, would probably have had no existence but for Abner. Ish-bosheth—or Esh-baal (1 Chronicles 8. 3S; 9. 39). The Helirews usually changed names ending with Baal into Boslieth (shame) (cf. Judges 9. iVJ with ch. 11. '21). This prince was so called from his imbecility. Abner—Was first cousin of Saul, commander of the forces, and held in high respect throughout thecountry. Loyalty to the house of his late master was mixed up w ith opposition to David, and views of personal ambition in his originating this factious movement. He, too, was alive to the importance of securing the eastern tribes; so, taking Ish-bosheth across the Jordan, he proclaimed him king at Slalianaim, a town on the north bank of the Jabbok, hallowed in patriarchal times by the Divine presence (Geneis, that Pavid took immediate measures for instructing tlie people in the knowledge and practice of archery, their great inferiority to tlie enemy in tliis military arm having been the main cause of the late national disaster. 19. tlie beauty of Israel Hi., the gazelle or antelope of
Israel. In Eastern countries, that animal is the chosen type of beauty and symmetrical elegance of form, liow are tKe miglity fallen I—Tliis forms the chorus. 31. let tliere be no dew, neitlier let tlierc be rain—To be deprived of the genial atmospheric influences which, in those anciently cultivated hills, seem to have reared plenty of flrst-fruits in the corn harvests, wa.s specified as the greatest calamity the lacerated feelings of the poet could imagine. The curse seems still to lie upon them; sis 32. 2). There he rallied the tribes around the standard of the unfortunate son of Saul. 9. over Gilead—used in a loose sense for the land beyond Jordan. Ashurltes— The tribe of Asher in tlie extreme north. Jezreel—The extensive valley bordering on the central tribes, over all Israel . . . but Judah — David neither could nor would force matters; but was content to wait God's time, and studiously avoided any collision with the rival king, for the mountains of Gilboa are naked and sterile, tlie glilcld of tlic migbty is vilely cast away—To cast away the shield was counted a national disgrace. Yet, on that fatal battle of Gilboa, many of the Jewish soldiers, wlio had displayed unflinching valour in former battles, forgetful of their own reputation and their country's honour, tlirew away their shields and fled from the field. Tliis dishonourable and cowardly conduct is alluded to witli exquisitely touching pathos. 34. Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, with other delights, &c.—The fondness for dress, wliich anciently distinguished Oriental women, is their charactertill, at the lap.se of two years, hostilities were threatened from that quarter. 13. Abner . . . and the sei-vants of Ish-1>oslieth went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon This town was near tlie confines of Judah, and as the force with which Abner encamped there seemed to have some aggressive design, David sent an army of observation, under the command of Joab, to watch his movements. 14. Abner said to Joab, Jjet the young men arise and play before us—.Some think that the proposal was only istic still. It appears in their love of bright, gay, and divers colours, in profuse display of ornaments, and in various other forms. Tlie inmost depths of the poet's feeling are stirred, and his amiable disposition appears in the strong desire to celebrate the good qualities of Saul as well as Jonathan. But the praises of tlie latter form tlie burden of tlie poem, which begins and ends with that excellent prince.
for an exhibition of a little tilting match for diversion. Others suppose that, both parties being reluctant to commence a civil war, Abner proposed to leave the contest to the decision of twelve picked men on either side. This fight by championship, instead of terminating the matter, inflamed the fiercest passions of the two rival parties a general engagement ensued, in which Abner and his forces were defeated and put to flight.
CHAPTER II.
19-22. ASAHEI Slain. 19. Asahel pursued after Abner—To gain the general's armour was deemed the gi'andest trophy. Asahel, ambitious of securing Abner's, had outstripped all other pursuers, and was fast making on the retreating commander, who, conscious of possessing more physical power, .and nnwilllng that there should be "blood" between himself and Joab, Asahel's brother twice urged him to desist. The impetuous young soldier being deaf to the generous remonstrance, the veteran raised the pointed butt of his lance, as the modern Arabs do wlien pursued, and, with a sudden back-thrust, transfixed him on the spot, so that he fell, and lay weltering in his blood. But Joab and Abishal continued the pursuit, by another route till sunset. On reaching a rising ground, and receiving a fresh reinforcement of some Benjamitos, Abner rallied his scattered troops, andearnestly appealed
Ver. 1-7. David, by God's Direction, Goes up to Hebuon, and is made King over Judah. 1. David inquired of the Lord—By Urim (1 Samuel 23.6,9; 30.7
K.) He knew his destination, but he knew also that the providence of God would pave the way; and therefore would take no step in such a crisis of his own and tlie nation's history, without asking an<l obtaining the Divine direction. He was told to go into Judah, and fix his headquarters in Hebron, whither he accordingly repaired with liis now considerable force. There his interests were very powerful ; for he was not only within his own tribe, and near chiefs with whom he had been long in friendly relations (see on 1 Samuel 30. 26-31), but Hebron was tlie capital and centre of Judah, and one of the lycvitical cities; the inhabitants of which were strongly attached to him, both from sympathy with hi.s cause ever aince the massacre at Nob, and from the prospect of realizing In his person their promised pre-eminence among the to Joab's better feelings to stop the further efl'uslon of blood, which, if continued, would lead to more serious consequences—a destructive civil war. Joab, while upbraiding Ills opponent as the sole cause of the fray, felt the tribes. The princes of .ludah, therefore, oMored him the crown over tlicir tribe, and it was accepted. More could force of the appeal, and led off" his men; while Abner ))robably dreading a renewal of the attack when .Toab should learn his brother's fate, and vow fierce revenge, endeavoured, by a forced march, to cross tlie Jonian that night. On David's side the lo.ss was only nineteen men, besides Asahel. But of Ish-bosheth's party there fell three hundred and sixty. This skirmish Is exactly similar to the battles of the Homeric warriors, amongst whom. In the flight of one, the pursuit by another, and the dialogue held between them, there is vividly represented the style of ancient warfare.
not, with prudence, be done in the circumstances of llie country (1 Chronicles 11.3). 5-7. David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh-gilead—There can be no doubt that this message of thanks for tlieir bold and dangerous enterprise in rescuing the bodies of .Saul and his sons was an expression of David's personal and genuine feeling of Batisfaetion. At the same time, It was a stroke of sound and timely policy. In this view the announcement of his royal pow(^r in Judah, accompanied by the pledge of his protection to the men of Jabesh-gilead, should they l)e exposed to danger for tluir ad venture at Beth-slum, would lieiirnn important significance In all parts of the ct>untry, and hold out an assurance that he would render them the same timely and energetic succour that SanI had done at the beginning of his reign.
CHAPTER III.
Ver. 1-.'). Six Sons Born TO David. 1. there was long' war between the hotise of Saul antl the house of David—The rlv.il parties had varying success, but David's Interest steadily Increased; less, however, by tlie fortunes of war, than a growing adherence to him as the divinely
8-17. AiiNEK Makios Isii-nosiiETii KrNfj ovei{ Isiiaeu 8-17. Aimer, Non of Ncr, captain of .Saul's host, took l»h-Iio»heth—Hero was the establishment of a rival king-
AhMr Revolts to David 2 SAMUEL IV. Joah Kills Abner, designated king. 3. unto David were sons bom in Hebron—Tlie six sons mentioned had all diffei'ent mothcepted by David, the guilt and infamy of the transaction wei'e exclusively his.
ers. 3. Cbileab—(his fatliei''s pictuie)—called also Daniel
22-30. JOAB Kills Abxer. 24. Joal> came to tlie kin and said, AVhat hast tliou donel—Joab's knowledge of Abner's wily character might have led him to doubt the sincerity of that person's proposals, and to disapprove the policy of relying on his fidelity. But undoubtedly there were other reasons of a private and personal nature which made Joab displeased and alarmed by the reception given to Abner. The military talents of that general, his poiiularity with the army, his influence throughout the nation, rendered him a formidable rival; and in the event of his overtures being carried out, the important service of bringing over all the other tribes to the king of Judah would establish so strong a claim on the gratitude of David, that his accession would inevitably raise a serious obstacle to the ambition of Joab. To these considerations was added the remembrance of the blood-feud that existed between them since the death of his brother Asahel (ch. 2. 23). Determined, therefore, to get Abner out of the way, Joab feigned some reason, probably in the king's name, for recalling him, and, going out to meet him, stabbed him unawares; not within Hebron, for it was a city of refuge, but at a noted well in the neighbourhood. 31. David said to Joab, and to all the people that -were witli liim, Rend yonr clothes; gird you witli snckclotik—David's sorrow was sincere and profound, and he took occasion to give it public expression by tlie funereal lioiiours he appointed for Abner. King David liiinself followed the bier-^A sort, of wooden frame, partly resembling a coffin, ami partly a hand-barrow. 33, 34. the king lamented over Abner—This brief elegy is an effusion of indignation as much as of soiTOw. As Abiier had stabbed Asahel in open war, Joab had not the right of the Goel; and, besides, liad adopted a lawless and execrable method of obtaining satisfaction (see on 1 Kings 2. 5). The deed was an insult lo the authority, as well as most damaging to the prospects of
(] Chronieles 3. 1). Maacab, tlie daugliter of Talmai, king of Geshur—A region in Syria, north of Israel. This marriage seems to have been a political match, made by David, witli a view to strengthen himself again.st Ishboslietli's party, by the aid of a powerful friend and ally In the north. Piety was made to j'ield to policy, and the
fruits of this alliance M'ith a heathen prince he reaped in the life of the turbulent Absalom. 5. Eglali, David's wife—This addition has led many to think that ICglah was another name for Michal, the first and proper wife, wlio, though she had no family after hex insolent ridicule of David (ch. 6. 23), might have had a child before.
0-12. Abxek Revolts to David. 6-11. Abner made himself strong for the liouse of SaiU—In the East, the Mivcs and concubines of a king are the property of his srccessor to tliis extent, that for a private person to aspire to marry one of them would be considered a virtual advance of pretensions to the crown (see on 1 Kings 2. 17). It is not clear whether the accusation against Abner was well or ill founded. But he resented the chai'ge as an indignity, and, impelled by revenge, detefmined to transfer all the weiglit of his influence to the opposite party. He evidently set a full value on his services, and seems to have lorded it over his weak uepliew in a haughty, overbearing manner. 1^. Abner sent messengers to David —^Though Ills language implied a secret conviction, tliat in supporting Ish-bosheth hehad been labouring to fi ustrate the Divine purpose of conferring the .sovereignty of the kingdom on David, this acknowledgment was no justification eitlier of the measure he was now adopting, or of the motives that prompted it. Nor does it seem possible to upliold tlie full integrity and honour of David's conduct In entertaining his secret overtures for undermining Ishbosheth, except we take into account the Divine promise of the kingdom, and his belief that tlie secession of Abner was a means designed by Providence for accomplishing it, riie demand for the restoration of his wife Miclial was perfectly fair ; but David's insisting on it at tliat particular moment, as an indispensable condition of his entering into any treaty witli Abner, seems to have proceeded not so much from a lingering attachment as from an expectation that his possession of lier would incline some adlierents of the house of Saul to be favourable to his caus(\ 17-^1. Abner Itad communication witik tlie elders of Israel—He spoke tlie truth in impressing their minds witli llie well-known fact of David's Divine designation to tlie kingdom. But he acted a base and hypocritical part in pretending that his present movement was prompted by religious motives, when it sprang entirely from malice and revenge against Ish-bosheth. The particular appeal of the Benjamites was a necessary policy; their tribe enjoyed the honour of giving birth to the royal dynasty of Saul; they would naturally be disinclined to lose tUat preiitiffe. They were, besides, a determined people, whose contiguity to Judah might render them troublesome and dangerou.s. Tlie enlistment of their interest, therefore. In the scheme, would smootli the way for the adtieslon of tlie other tribes ; and Abner enjo.yed the most convenient opportunity of using his great influence in gaining over that tribe while escorting Michal to David with a suitable equipage. The mission enabled him to cover his treacherous designs against his master—to draw the attention of theelders and people to David as uniting in himself tliedouble recommendation of being the nominee of Jehovah, no less than a connection of tlic royal house of .Saul, and, without suspicion of any dishonourable motives, to advocate policy of terminating the civil discord, by bestowing the sovereignly on the liusband of Michal. In the same character of public aml)assador, he was received and fetx>d by David; and while, ostensibly, the restoration of Michal wiLS the sole object of his visit, Ue busily employed himself in making private overtures to Davicfor bringing over to his cause those tribes which he had artfully .seduced. Abner pursued a course unworthy of an honourable man ; and lliough his offer was actlie king. But David's feelings and conduct on hearing of tlie death, together witli the wliole character and ac'- companiments of the funeral solemnity, tended not only to remove all suspicion of guilt from him, but even to turn t!ie tide of popular opinion in his favour, and to pave the way for his reigning over all the tribes more honourably than by the treacherous negotiations of Abner.
CHAPTEE IV.
Ver. 1-8. Baanah and Rechab Slay Ish-bosheth, AND Bring his Head toTeIebkon. 4. Jonath.in, Saul's son, lind a son tliat was lame of his feet—This is mentioned as a reason for his being considered, according to Oriental notions, unfit for exercising the duties of sovereignty. 5. Kechab and Baanali went and came about tlie heat of the day to tlie liouse of Ish-bosheth, &c.—
It is still a custom in tlie East to allow their soldiers a certain quantity of corn, togetlier witli some pay; and these two captains very naturally went to the palace the day before to fetch wheat, in order to distribute it to the soldiers, that it might be sent to the mill at (he iiccustomed hour in tlie morning. 7. when they came into the house, he lay on his bed—Rechab and Haanali came in thelieat.of the day, when they knew that Ish-l)0slieth, their master, would be restingon his divan; and as it was necessary, for the reason just given, to have the corn the day before it was needed, their coming at that time, though it might be a little earlier than usual, created no susi)icion, and attracted no notice. IIIakmkk.] gat them away through the plain all night— e., th<' valley of the Jordan, through which their way lay from Malianai)n to II< bron. S. They brought the head of Ish-boshetll unto David, and said, Heboid tlie head of Ish-bosheth —Such bloody trophies of rebels and cons|)irators have always been acceptable to jtriiices In tlie I'.ast, and the carriers been liberaU.y rewanled. Ish-boslieth being a usurper, tlie two assassins thought they wei'e doing a meritorious service to David by removing the only exist ing obstacle to t!ie union of the two kingdoms.