2 Samuel 2

2 Samuel 2:1-7– David Anointed King of Judah In Hebron

Jesus is one day going to be coronated as King of kings on the throne of His father David on Zion (Revelation 14) over both houses of Israel, even the whole earth. But now David was being installed as king of Judah only at Hebron. “Then Abram moved his tent, and went and dwelt by the terebinth trees of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and built an altar there to the LORD.” (Gen 13:18) "A third altar is here built by Abram… The previous visits of the Lord had completed the restoration of his inward peace, security, and liberty of access to God, which had been disturbed by his descent to Egypt, and the temptation that had overcome him there. He feels himself again at peace with God, and his fortitude is renewed. He grows in spiritual knowledge and practice under the great Teacher.” (Barnes) “Then the LORD appeared to him by the terebinth trees of Mamre, as he was sitting in the tent door in the heat of the day. 2 So he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing by him.” (Gen 18:1a)— for the purpose of strengthening Sarah’s faith, as well as communing with Abraham concerning the destruction of Sodom.” (Barnes) This is "another manifestation of the divine presence, more familiar than any yet narrated; and more like that in the fulness of time, when the Word was made flesh.” (Jamieson-Fausset-Brown) In fact: "The three men were three angels [messengers],… one of whom was the Lord Christ, Malachi 3:1,” (Joseph Sutcliffe)

1 It happened after this that David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I go up to any of the cities of Judah?” And the LORD said to him, “Go up.” David said, “Where shall I go up?”

And He (the LORD) said, “To Hebron.”

“David knew that he was to be king, but how to attain the throne he knew not. He had no unholy ambition, and in matters of so great responsibility he wished Jehovah to guide him.” (Matthew Poole) “He doubted not of success, yet he used proper means, both divine and human. Assurance of hope in God's promise will be so far from slackening that it will quicken pious endeavours. If I be elected to the crown of life [by exercising faith in the Lord Jesus], it does not follow, ‘Then I will do nothing’; but, ‘Then I will do all that he directs me, and follow the guidance of him who chose me.’” (Henry) Christians are often represented as called of God, as David had been- to be king of all of Israel, but for a bit a "party however is formed by Abner the Captain of Saul's host, in favour of Ish-bosheth, Saul's son…” (Robert Hawker)

"The word κλητός klētos is sometimes used to denote an external invitation, offer, or calling; Matthew 20:16; Matthew 22:14. But excepting in these places, it is used in the New Testament to denote those who had accepted the call, and were true Christians; Romans 1:6-7; 1 Corinthians 1:2, 24; Revelation 17:14.” (Albert Barnes ) “In some way they have heard His voice speaking to them, and they have responded. The calling has thus been an effectual call because it has resulted in their loving God. And it is a call made ‘in accordance with His purpose’. Whatever men’s thought may be concentrated on, God’s thoughts are focused on the salvation of His own, and on His [futuristic] presentation of them in His sight as holy, unblameable and unreproachable (Col 1:22). ” (Peter Pett)

“’It happened after this ’— after his lamentation over the death of Saul and Jonathan— ‘that David inquired of the LORD’ by the urim of the priest Abiathar. Compare 1 Samuel 23:9-12, saying, “Shall I go up to any of the cities of Judah?” (Poole) “The form of inquiry seems to have been that a course of action, suggested by the inquirer(to the high priest with urim), was decided for him by a ‘Yes’ or a ‘No.’ So that there was the exercise of common-sense and judgment in formulating the proposed course, as well as that of God’s direction in determining it.” (Alexander MacLaren)— “And so David said, ‘Where shall I go up?’— “And He(the Messenger of the Covenant) said, “To Hebron.” — Hebron— The ancient city of the patriarchs. See Genesis 13:18.... It was inexpedient for David longer to abide in the land of the Philistines, and Hebron, because of its peculiarly sacred associations and its central position in the tribe of Judah, was a most appropriate place for David to begin his reign.” (Daniel Whedon) “The cities or towns belonging and subject to Hebron, which was the metropolis, Joshua 21:11,Joshua 21:12; for in Hebron itself there was not space for them all, because it was filled with priests (it was a Levitical city), and with David’s court.” (Matthew Poole)

“God's answer, ‘Hebron’ is not merely intended to indicate a favorable location. Its name means ‘communion,’ which would be a strong reminder to David that if he is to reign as king, he will need the place of constant communion with God.” (L. M. Grant) “He asked not whether he should take the kingdom; for that was appointed before.” (John Wesley)

Hebron— “The father of the faithful had often pitched his tent under its spreading oaks, and among its olive groves and vine-clad hills the gentle Isaac had meditated at eventide. There Abraham had watched the last breath of his beloved Sarah, the partner of his faith and the faithful companion of his wanderings; and there from the sons of Heth he had purchased the sepulchre of Machpelah, where first Sarah’s body, then his own, then that of Isaac were laid to rest. There Joseph and his brethren had brought up the body of Jacob, in fulfillment of his dying command, laying it beside the bones of Leah. It had been a halting-place of the twelve spies when they went up to search the land; and the cluster of grapes which they carried back was cut from the neighbouring valley, where the finest grapes of the country are found to this day. The sight of its venerable cave had doubtless served to raise the faith and courage of Joshua and Caleb, when the other spies became so feeble and so faithless. In the division of the land it had been assigned to Caleb, one of the best and noblest spirits the nation ever produced; afterwards it was made one of the Levitical cities of refuge. More recently, it had been one of the places selected by David to receive a portion of the Amalekite spoil. No place could have recalled more vividly the lessons of departed worth and the victories of early faith, or abounded more in tokens of the blessedness of fully following the Lord. It was a token of God’s kindness to David that He directed him to make this city his headquarters. It was equivalent to a new promise that the God of Abraham and of Isaac and Jacob would be the God of David, and that his public career would prepare the way for the mercies m the prospect of which they rejoiced, and sustain the hope to which they looked forward, though they did not in their time see the promise realized.” (William R. Nicoll)

2 So David went up there, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite. 3 And David brought up the men who were with him, every man with his household. So they dwelt in the cities of Hebron.

“When David goes in obedience to the place the LORD named him, he takes both his wives with him. His men also go along. They are a picture of the people who are involved in the conquest of the kingdom by the Lord Jesus. His men have endured persecution and suffering with him, now they will be allowed to rule with him (cf. 2 Timothy 2:12).” (G. de Koning)

“Not only had David wives, whom he took with him to Hebron, but many of his warriors were married, and thus they and their households formed a numerous body of people, for whom Hebron could scarcely find accommodation. Moreover they had flocks and herds captured from the Amalekites, for which they needed pasturage. And therefore David dispersed them in the towns and villages of which Hebron was the capital, posting them in such a manner as to render it easy for him to summon them together, while taking care that they did not injure his tribesmen, or dispossess them of their lauds.” (The Pulpit Commentaries)

2 Samuel 2:4-6 A Schism in Israel Created by Abner

4a Then the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah.

"This they did on just grounds, because not only the sovereignty had been promised to that tribe, but David was designed and had been appointed by God, and at his express command anointed by Samuel to the regal office. This had long ceased to be a secret. Jonathan had known it perfectly. Saul himself had been no stranger to it; and Abner, the general of his army, was not ignorant of it, as appears by his words to Ish-bosheth, (2 Samuel 3:8-9,) and his message to the elders of Israel; and it was now universally known.” (Joseph Benson)

“The tribe of Judah had often stood by itself more than any other of the tribes. In Saul's time it was numbered by itself as a distinct body (1 Samuel 15:4) and those of this tribe had been accustomed to act separately. They did so now; yet they did it for themselves only; they did not pretend to anoint him king over all Israel (as Judges 9:22)...” (Matthew Henry)

“Anointed first by Samuel in the secrecy of his father's house, he was now anointed king over his own people; just as the Lord Jesus, of whom he was the great exemplar and type, was anointed first by the banks of the Jordan, and again as the representative of His people, when He ascended for them into the presence of the Father, and was set as King on the holy hill of Zion. We cannot turn from this second anointing without emphasising the obvious lesson that at each great crisis of our life, and especially when standing on the threshold of some new and enlarged sphere of service, we should seek and receive a fresh anointing to fit us to fulfil its fresh demands. There should be successive and repeated anointings in our life-history as our opportunities widen out in ever-increasing circles. (F. B. Meyer, B. A.)

4b And they (the house Judah) told David, saying, “The men of Jabesh Gilead (the tribe of Saul) were the ones who buried Saul.” 5 So David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh Gilead, and said to them, “You are blessed of the LORD, for you have shown this kindness to your lord, to Saul, and have buried him. 6 And now may the LORD show kindness and truth to you. I also will repay you this kindness, because you have done this thing. 7 Now therefore, let your hands be strengthened, and be valiant; for your master Saul is dead, and also the house of Judah has anointed me king over them.”

David's very first action after becoming King of Judah- "The men of Jabesh-gilead were of Benjamin, the tribe of Saul; and David's promise here to do good to them clearly signaled that David would not indulge in any vengeful recriminations against the people of Israel who had loved and supported Saul.” (Coffman) "One could almost say that the first recorded act of the new king of Judah was to offer friendship and comfort to a group of Israelites, with the implication that David may be a Judean but his heart belongs to all Israel." (Anderson) “He precipitated not his country into a civil war. He was confident that the God of his anointing, who had brought him from the desert to the throne of Judah, would give him the hearts of all the tribes; he therefore sought to make his own people happy and secure.” (Sutcliffe)

“‘And now may the LORD show kindness and truth to you,’ (6a)— according to His promise, which is to repay those who are merciful.” (Geneva Study Bible)— “‘I also will repay you this kindness, because you have done this thing.’ (6b) He not only prayed to God to bless them and reward them for it, but would remember them himself, and at a proper opportunity would show favour to them for this act of kindness to Saul.” (John Gill) “David’s message of kindness and blessing is quite in accordance with his whole bearing towards Saul and his house, and at the same time, was one of wise policy. The literal rendering is, ‘I also show you this good,’ the Hebrew not conveying directly the idea of future recompense, as in the English. The thought is that David, as now the rightful king of Israel, appreciates the act, and wishes to show publicly his favour to the men of Jabesh-gilead. He then, in the following verse, suggests the propriety of their now recognising him as the successor of their lost monarch and friend.” (C. J. Ellicott) — “‘Now therefore, let your hands be strengthened, and be valiant; for your master Saul is dead, and also the house of Judah has anointed me king over them.’ (7) So that you shall not want a captain and a defender.” (Geneva Study Bible) “Now that Saul is dead, David does not impose himself upon the men of Jabez. He only mentions that he is king over Judah. He does not want to subdue them, but to win their hearts.” (G. de Koning)

8 But Abner the son of Ner, commander of Saul’s army, took Ishbosheth the son of Saul and brought him over to Mahanaim; 9 and he made him king over Gilead, over the Ashurites, over Jezreel, over Ephraim, over Benjamin, and over all Israel. 10 Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and he reigned two years. Only the house of Judah followed David. 11 And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.

“‘But Abner the son of Ner, commander of Saul’s army, took Ishbosheth the son of Saul and brought him over to Mahanaim.’ [8] “Ishbosheth- He was the fourth and only surviving son of Saul.” (Daniel Whedon) “Tho' ambition and desire of rule, because he knew that Ishbosheth would have only the name of king, whilst he had the power.” (John Wesley) Mahanaim— Abner chose this town because it was on the eastern side of the Jordan, and so beyond the range of the Philistines, who never seem to have crossed the river. It was situated on the borders of the tribe of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh, from both of which valiant warriors had joined David… As having been assigned to the Levites (Joshua 21:38), it had a quasi-religious character, inherited from the vision of angels seen there by Jacob (Genesis 32:2).” (The Pulpit Commentary) But “Abner, the captain of Saul's army, could only understand natural succession. He did not seek the will of God, but decided to elevate Ish-bosheth, Saul's son, to the throne of Israel… How many since him have thought that the military has the right of such decisions! But this is God's prerogative, and He had already anointed David as king of [all of] Israel.” (L. M. Grant)— “and he made him king over Gilead, over the Ashurites, over Jezreel, over Ephraim, over Benjamin, and over all Israel.” (9) excepting the house of Judah; that is, he prevailed first on one of these, then on another, until he got all the tribes of Israel to own him for their king; David all this time being still and quiet, and not opposing him, waiting God's own time to open the way for his possession of the kingdom over all Israel, and having a strict regard to his oath to Saul, 1 Samuel 24:21.” (John Gill) “‘Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and he reigned two years. Only the house of Judah followed David.’ (10) See how David rose gradually; he was first anointed king in reversion, then in possession of one tribe only, and at last of all the tribes. Thus the kingdom of the Messiah, the Son of David, is set up by degrees; he is Lord of all by divine designation, but we see not yet all things put under him,Hebrews 2:8.” (Matthew Henry)

”The distinctive concepts of ’Judah and Israel’ evolved during David’s kingdom in Hebron, and after a period of reunification these entities were allowed to live on in the United Monarchy, though without an official division.” [Zechariah Kallai, "Judah and Israel-A Study in Israelite Historiography"] When David eventually became king of all Israel and Judah, seven and one-half years later, he ended Ish-bosheth’s two-year reign. Evidently it took Abner over five years to establish Ish-bosheth on Israel’s throne. Abner put his personal preferences and cultural precedent (that a son of Saul would succeed his father) over God’s will. Consequently life became very complicated and problems followed in Israel, as always happens when people behave as Abner did.” (Dr. Thomas B. Constable) “Abner's proclaiming him ;king; was only a ploy on Abner's part, who almost certainly intended to seize the kingship himself. The proof of this is his taking one of the concubines of Ishbosheth.” (Coffman Commentary)

“The spirit of Saul, which was antagonistic to David, was perpetuated in Abner, Saul's cousin and captain of the host. He at once set himself to consolidate the house of Israel around the house of Saul. Ish-bosheth was merely a puppet in his hands. While it may be true that Abner did not desire the kingship for himself, it must be remembered that it would have been poor policy on his part to seek for that position. It was easier to gather the people around a son of the dead king. Thus the kingdom was not actually David's. It had to be gained, and seven years passed before his crowning over the whole nation.” (Morgan) David through prudence eventually repaired the breach. But: “This was an ill precedent, and as it were a preparative to that great schism in Rehoboam’s days, that could never be made up again.” (Trapp)

2 Samuel 2:12-17— Abner Went Out To Gain the Tribe of Judah

12 Now Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon. 13 And Joab the son of Zeruiah, and the servants of David, went out and met them by the pool of Gibeon. So they sat down, one on one side of the pool and the other on the other side of the pool. 14 Then Abner said to Joab, “Let the young men now arise and compete before us.” And Joab said, “Let them arise.” 15 So they arose and went over by number, twelve from Benjamin, followers of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and twelve from the servants of David. 16 And each one grasped his opponent by the head and thrust his sword in his opponent’s side; so they fell down together. Therefore that place was called The Field of Rocks, which is in Gibeon. 17 So there was a very fierce battle that day, and Abner and the men of Israel were beaten before the servants of David.

“’Abner … went out.’ This is a further proof of considerable success on Abner's side. Encouraged by the result of numerous skirmishes with the Philistines, and the gradual restoration of the king's authority in Ephraim and Benjamin, Abner determined to make the attempt to win back Judah also. There David had been content with protecting Judah, and establishing good order; and, following his constant custom, had taken no steps to obtain for himself the kingdom ‘over all Israel.’ The war was of Abner's choosing, and shows him to us in the character of an able but ambitious and restless man.” (The Pulpit Commentary)

“‘Now Abner the son of Ner,’ who was before captain of Saul's host, and now of Ishbosheth’s, along with ‘the servants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.’ (12) They came from the city on the other side Jordan, where perhaps they had been two years past, concerting schemes to bring all Israel under the government of Ishbosheth; in which they had succeeded, only Judah stood out with David.“ (John Gill)

Gibeon is near Hebron and five and a half miles north-west of Jersalem. “And [so] Joab the son of Zeruiah, and the servants of David, went out and met them by the pool of Gibeon.” (13a) Surely they went out by David's command. “Joab the son of Zeruiah—Zeruiah was David’s sister (1 Chron 2:16), and Joab the most prominent of her three distinguished sons. Subsequently, by his successful leading of the forlorn hope in the siege of Jerusalem (1 Chron 11:6 cp. 2 Sam 5:8), he became permanently established as commanaer-in-chief of David’s army. He was undoubtedly among ‘the brethren of David’ who came down to him at the cave of Adullam (1 Sam 22:1)….” (C. J. Ellicott) “Joab— who here appears as leader of David’s men, but was not made captain of his hosts till after the capture of the Jebusites. Chap. 2 Samuel 5:8, and 1 Chronicles 11:6.” (Daniel Whedon)— “’So they sat down, one on one side of the pool and the other on the other side of the pool.’ (13b)- "a large reservoir or tank, arranged to store the overflow from a subterranean reservoir fed by a spring in the rocky hill-side.” (C. J. Ellicott)

Abner said, “Let the young men now arise and compete before us.” (14a) And Joab agreed. “Some think that the proposal was only for an exhibition of a little tilting match, a skirmishing or mock fight, for diversion or sport. [But I believe that Abner makes the suggestion knowing that it was David’s heart “to preserve the lives of those who should be his future subjects, than treat them now as rebels against his crown.” (Coke)] Accordingly, 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.” (Jamieson, Faussett, Brown) Winner takes all.

“‘And each one grasped his opponent by the head and thrust his sword in his opponent’s side; so they fell down together.’ (16a) “The left-handed Benjamites, and the right-handed men of Judah their sword hands thus coming together seized each his adversary by the head, and the whole number fell by the mutual wounds they received.” (Charles Stanley) “Therefore that place was called Helkath-hazzurim (the field of rocks),” etc. (16b) i. e. of men who stood like rocks, unmovable, each one dying upon the spot where he fought..” (Poole) “‘So there was a very sore battle that day.’ When the twenty four men fell together, and no decision could be made thereby, or any triumph on either side, both armies drew up in battle array, and fought very furiously: ‘and Abner was beaten, and the men of Israel, before the servants of David’; the army under him had the worst of it, and were routed, and obliged to flee before the army of David…” (Gill) “The contest decided nothing, but was only the beginning of a battle that involved both armies, so that many more were dead before it was over. Nor did the battle make any real difference in the situation, though it was won by Judah. Only God's work can bring about unity among His people.” (L. M. Grant) I think that the LORD didn’t want a dertminisitic type of fate or sovereignty to place all of Israel under David, but wished rather that the children of Israel would subject themselves to His anointed king of their own free, voluntary act.

2 Samuel 2:18-32 Asahel Sets Out to Destroy Abner

18 Now the three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab and Abishai and Asahel. And Asahel was as fleet of foot as a wild gazelle. 19 So Asahel pursued Abner, and in going he did not turn to the right hand or to the left from following Abner. 20 Then Abner looked behind him and said, "Are you Asahel?" He answered, "I am." 21 And Abner said to him, "Turn aside to your right hand or to your left, and lay hold on one of the young men and take his armor for yourself." But Asahel would not turn aside from following him. 22 So Abner said again to Asahel, "Turn aside from following me. Why should I strike you to the ground? How then could I face your brother Joab?" 23 However, he refused to turn aside. Therefore Abner struck him in the stomach with the blunt end of the spear, so that the spear came out of his back; and he fell down there and died on the spot. So it was that as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died, stood still. 24 Joab and Abishai also pursued Abner. And the sun was going down when they came to the hill of Ammah, which is before Giah by the road to the Wilderness of Gibeon.

“’Now the three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab and Abishai and Asahel.’ (18) Joab was the general of the array, Abishai was he who went into Saul's host at night, and took away his spear and cruse of water at his head, 1 Samuel 26:6; and it is for the sake of the third, Asahel, that the account is given, the story of his death being about to be told.” (John Gill) Asahel was ambitious. “To gain the general's armour was deemed the grandest trophy.” (Jamieson, Faussett, Brown) He was noteworthy as brave and "as ‘light of foot’ as a wild roe’ (18)

“To be swift of foot was deemed a great accomplishment in the heroes of antiquity; ποδας ωκυς Αχιλλευς, the swift-footed Achilles, is an epithet which Homer gives to that hero no less than thirty times in the course of the Ilias.”— “So Asahel pursued Abner, and in going he did not turn to the right hand or to the left from following Abner. Then Abner looked behind him and said, ‘Are you Asahel?’ He answered, ‘I am.’ (19-20) “But he trusted too much to his own abilities-as being no less valiant of his hands, than swift of foot.” (John Trapp)

“And Abner said to him, ‘Turn aside to your right hand or to your left, and lay hold on one of the young men.’ (21a) Meddle with thy match, and contend not with him that is mightier than thou.” (John Trapp)— and take his armor for yourself.’ (21) If thou art ambitious to get a trophy or mark of thy valour, desist from me, who am an old and experienced captain, and go to some young and raw soldier; try thy skill upon him, and take away his arms from him.” (Matthew Poole) “Abner did not want to put the young hero to death, out of regard for Joab and their former friendship.” (Keil) He only wanted the loyalty of the brave men of Judah.

“‘However,’ trusting to his swiftness, not considering that the race is not always to the swift, and that he had to do with a veteran soldier, and he a raw young man, though valiant: and in going he turned not to the right hand nor to the left in following Abner; he kept his eye upon him, and pursued him closely, disregarding persons on the right or left he could have made prisoners.” (John Gill)— “‘he refused to turn aside. Therefore Abner struck him in the stomach with the blunt end of the spear, so that the spear came out of his back.’ (23a) “‘The hinder end of the spear.’ He used the hinder end from his desire to spare Asahel’s life. But owing to his great strength and prowess, the wooden end which was more or less pointed to enable the owner to stick it into the ground (1 Samuel 27:7), ran into his body.” (Biblical Commentary) Perhaps though Abner did not intend to kill the brave young man, it was a Divine act it and he hit the spot where “the liver and gall are, a sure killing place.” (John Trapp)

“’So it was that as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died, stood still.’ (23b) The pursuing loyalist of Judah “who came up to that spot during the chase stopped when they saw the body of Asahel in order to do him honour, before proceeding with the chase, for he was a man greatly admired. This appears to have been the custom with a fallen hero as we see from 2 Samuel 20:12.” (Peter Pett)

25 Now the children of Benjamin gathered together behind Abner and became a unit, and took their stand on top of a hill. 26 Then Abner called to Joab and said, "Shall the sword devour forever? Do you not know that it will be bitter in the latter end? How long will it be then until you tell the people to return from pursuing their brethren?" 27 And Joab said, "As God lives, unless you had spoken, surely then by morning all the people would have given up pursuing their brethren." 28 So Joab blew a trumpet; and all the people stood still and did not pursue Israel anymore, nor did they fight anymore. 29 Then Abner and his men went on all that night through the plain, crossed over the Jordan, and went through all Bithron; and they came to Mahanaim. 30 So Joab returned from pursuing Abner. And when he had gathered all the people together, there were missing of David's servants nineteen men and Asahel. 31 But the servants of David had struck down, of Benjamin and Abner's men, three hundred and sixty men who died. 32 Then they took up Asahel and buried him in his father's tomb, which was in Bethlehem. And Joab and his men went all night, and they came to Hebron at daybreak.

“Then Abner called to Joab and said, "Shall the sword devour forever? Do you not know that it will be bitter in the latter end? How long will it be then until you tell the people to return from pursuing their brethren?" (26) The original arrangment was to avoid bloodshed. And they still both have that in their hearts. Abner seems to hint at surrender to David as king. “Joab seems to have been very sensible of this, from his withdrawing his forces so readily from the pursuit. From following their brethren by nation and religion; descended from one common ancestor of Israel, and worshipping one and the same God. How forcible is this argument, even if applied to all men, and how ought it to induce all kings and princes to avoid all wars as much as possible, forasmuch as all mankind are brethren, and made of one blood.” (Joseph Benson)

“No more eye for eye and tooth for tooth, but forgive and love your enemies. “Think then of this "bitterness in the latter end"! Now is the accepted time. In the deep consciousness of your weakness, let your prayer be that God would restrain you from the folly to which your hearts are so prone, that, by His Holy Spirit, He would work in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.” (The Expositor's Bible Commentary)

“And Joab said, ‘As God lives, unless you had spoken, surely then by morning all the people would have given up pursuing their brethren.’ So Joab blew a trumpet; and all the people stood still and did not pursue Israel anymore,…” (27-28) “Joab’s speech means ‘If thou hadst not spoken (asked for peace), surely the people would have returned, etc., in the morning, i. e. would not have ceased the pursuit until the morning.’” (Albert Barnes)

“But the servants of David had smitten of Benjamin, and of Abner’s men, [so that] three hundred and threescore men died.” Thus God would confirm David in his kingdom by the destruction of his adversaries.(Geneva Study Bible) Joab buried the dead of both houses of Israel on the battlefield, but he “carried the body of Asahel to Bethlehem and buried him there, and then joined David at Hebron.” (Albert Barnes) “Thus are distinctions made on earth, even between the dust of some and of others! But in the resurrection no difference will be made, except between good and bad…” (Wesley) in both Judah and Israel, even in the heart of a single man… yea even within the heart Abner, the obstinate captain of Israel. None were unredeemable.

Note that David played no part in it. “For seven and a half years David reigned in Hebron, but was rather shut up there than ruling thence. The most noteworthy fact is that he, soldier as he was, took no steps to put down Abner’s rebellion. He defended himself when attacked, but that was all. The three figures of David, Ishbosheth, and Abner point lessons. Silent, still, trustful, and therefore patient, David shows us how faith in God can lead to possessing one’s soul in patience till ‘the vision’ comes. We may have to wait for it, but ‘it will surely come,’ and what is time enough for God should be time enough for us.” (Alexander MacLaren)

2 Samuel 2:18-32 Asahel Sets Out to Destroy Abner

18 Now the three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab and Abishai and Asahel. And Asahel was as fleet of foot as a wild gazelle. 19 So Asahel pursued Abner, and in going he did not turn to the right hand or to the left from following Abner. 20 Then Abner looked behind him and said, "Are you Asahel?" He answered, "I am." 21 And Abner said to him, "Turn aside to your right hand or to your left, and lay hold on one of the young men and take his armor for yourself." But Asahel would not turn aside from following him. 22 So Abner said again to Asahel, "Turn aside from following me. Why should I strike you to the ground? How then could I face your brother Joab?" 23 However, he refused to turn aside. Therefore Abner struck him in the stomach with the blunt end of the spear, so that the spear came out of his back; and he fell down there and died on the spot. So it was that as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died, stood still. 24 Joab and Abishai also pursued Abner. And the sun was going down when they came to the hill of Ammah, which is before Giah by the road to the Wilderness of Gibeon.

“’Now the three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab and Abishai and Asahel.’ (18) Joab was the general of the array, Abishai was he who went into Saul's host at night, and took away his spear and cruse of water at his head, 1 Samuel 26:6; and it is for the sake of the third, Asahel, that the account is given, the story of his death being about to be told.” (John Gill) Asahel was ambitious. “To gain the general's armour was deemed the grandest trophy.” (Jamieson, Faussett, Brown) He was noteworthy as brave and "as ‘light of foot’ as a wild roe’ (18)

“To be swift of foot was deemed a great accomplishment in the heroes of antiquity; ποδας ωκυς Αχιλλευς, the swift-footed Achilles, is an epithet which Homer gives to that hero no less than thirty times in the course of the Ilias.”— “So Asahel pursued Abner, and in going he did not turn to the right hand or to the left from following Abner. Then Abner looked behind him and said, ‘Are you Asahel?’ He answered, ‘I am.’ (19-20) “But he trusted too much to his own abilities-as being no less valiant of his hands, than swift of foot.” (John Trapp)

“And Abner said to him, ‘Turn aside to your right hand or to your left, and lay hold on one of the young men.’ (21a) Meddle with thy match, and contend not with him that is mightier than thou.” (John Trapp)— and take his armor for yourself.’ (21) If thou art ambitious to get a trophy or mark of thy valour, desist from me, who am an old and experienced captain, and go to some young and raw soldier; try thy skill upon him, and take away his arms from him.” (Matthew Poole) “Abner did not want to put the young hero to death, out of regard for Joab and their former friendship.” (Keil) He only wanted the loyalty of the brave men of Judah.

“‘However,’ trusting to his swiftness, not considering that the race is not always to the swift, and that he had to do with a veteran soldier, and he a raw young man, though valiant: and in going he turned not to the right hand nor to the left in following Abner; he kept his eye upon him, and pursued him closely, disregarding persons on the right or left he could have made prisoners.” (John Gill)— “‘he refused to turn aside. Therefore Abner struck him in the stomach with the blunt end of the spear, so that the spear came out of his back.’ (23a) “‘The hinder end of the spear.’ He used the hinder end from his desire to spare Asahel’s life. But owing to his great strength and prowess, the wooden end which was more or less pointed to enable the owner to stick it into the ground (1 Samuel 27:7), ran into his body.” (Biblical Commentary) Perhaps though Abner did not intend to kill the brave young man, it was a Divine act it and he hit the spot where “the liver and gall are, a sure killing place.” (John Trapp)

“’So it was that as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died, stood still.’ (23b) The pursuing loyalist of Judah “who came up to that spot during the chase stopped when they saw the body of Asahel in order to do him honour, before proceeding with the chase, for he was a man greatly admired. This appears to have been the custom with a fallen hero as we see from 2 Samuel 20:12.” (Peter Pett)

25 Now the children of Benjamin gathered together behind Abner and became a unit, and took their stand on top of a hill. 26 Then Abner called to Joab and said, "Shall the sword devour forever? Do you not know that it will be bitter in the latter end? How long will it be then until you tell the people to return from pursuing their brethren?" 27 And Joab said, "As God lives, unless you had spoken, surely then by morning all the people would have given up pursuing their brethren." 28 So Joab blew a trumpet; and all the people stood still and did not pursue Israel anymore, nor did they fight anymore. 29 Then Abner and his men went on all that night through the plain, crossed over the Jordan, and went through all Bithron; and they came to Mahanaim. 30 So Joab returned from pursuing Abner. And when he had gathered all the people together, there were missing of David's servants nineteen men and Asahel. 31 But the servants of David had struck down, of Benjamin and Abner's men, three hundred and sixty men who died. 32 Then they took up Asahel and buried him in his father's tomb, which was in Bethlehem. And Joab and his men went all night, and they came to Hebron at daybreak.

“Then Abner called to Joab and said, "Shall the sword devour forever? Do you not know that it will be bitter in the latter end? How long will it be then until you tell the people to return from pursuing their brethren?" (26) The original arrangment was to avoid bloodshed. And they still both have that in their hearts. Abner seems to hint at surrender to David as king. “Joab seems to have been very sensible of this, from his withdrawing his forces so readily from the pursuit. From following their brethren by nation and religion; descended from one common ancestor of Israel, and worshipping one and the same God. How forcible is this argument, even if applied to all men, and how ought it to induce all kings and princes to avoid all wars as much as possible, forasmuch as all mankind are brethren, and made of one blood.” (Joseph Benson)

“No more eye for eye and tooth for tooth, but forgive and love your enemies. “Think then of this "bitterness in the latter end"! Now is the accepted time. In the deep consciousness of your weakness, let your prayer be that God would restrain you from the folly to which your hearts are so prone, that, by His Holy Spirit, He would work in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.” (The Expositor's Bible Commentary)

“And Joab said, ‘As God lives, unless you had spoken, surely then by morning all the people would have given up pursuing their brethren.’ So Joab blew a trumpet; and all the people stood still and did not pursue Israel anymore,…” (27-28) “Joab’s speech means ‘If thou hadst not spoken (asked for peace), surely the people would have returned, etc., in the morning, i. e. would not have ceased the pursuit until the morning.’” (Albert Barnes)

“But the servants of David had smitten of Benjamin, and of Abner’s men, [so that] three hundred and threescore men died.” Thus God would confirm David in his kingdom by the destruction of his adversaries.(Geneva Study Bible) Joab buried the dead of both houses of Israel on the battlefield, but he “carried the body of Asahel to Bethlehem and buried him there, and then joined David at Hebron.” (Albert Barnes) “Thus are distinctions made on earth, even between the dust of some and of others! But in the resurrection no difference will be made, except between good and bad…” (Wesley) in both Judah and Israel, even in the heart of a single man… yea even within the heart Abner, the obstinate captain of Israel. None were unredeemable.

Note that David played no part in it. “For seven and a half years David reigned in Hebron, but was rather shut up there than ruling thence. The most noteworthy fact is that he, soldier as he was, took no steps to put down Abner’s rebellion. He defended himself when attacked, but that was all. The three figures of David, Ishbosheth, and Abner point lessons. Silent, still, trustful, and therefore patient, David shows us how faith in God can lead to possessing one’s soul in patience till ‘the vision’ comes. We may have to wait for it, but ‘it will surely come,’ and what is time enough for God should be time enough for us.” (Alexander MacLaren)

"The victory at the pool of Gibeon was far from ending the opposition to David. In vain, for many a day, weary eyes looked out for the dove with the olive leaf. ‘There was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David.’ (2 Sam 3:1a) The war does not seem to have been carried on by pitched battles, but rather by a long series of those fretting and worrying little skirmishes which a state of civil war breeds, even when the volcano is comparatively quiet. But the drift of things was manifest.” (The Expositor's Bible Commentary)

“This progressive shift of power from the house of Saul to that of David fulfilled Samuel's prophecy in 1 Samuel 15:28— ‘The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to your neighbor, who is better than you.’ (Coffman Commentary)

“‘But David grew stronger and stronger.’— “partly, doubtless, on account of Ishbosheth’s manifest incompetence (to rule for that was not his particular calling of God), partly from a growing appreciation of the character and prowess of David, and a fuller realisation that he was the divinely appointed sovereign. In 1Chronicles 12:19-22 there is an account of an important accession to David from the tribe of Manasseh on the eve of Saul’s last battle, and a further mention of continued accessions to him ‘day by day.’ As the necessary result of this constant transference of strength to David, ‘the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker.’” (C. J. Ellicott) “David gained in adherents in the same measure as Ishbosheth lost them.” (Kretzmann Commentary) “Though Saul had died, yet there continues long war between his house and the house of David. We have seen that Saul stands for the energy of the flesh, which does not easily give up though it is doomed. The house of David waxes stronger and stronger, but the flesh cannot but expose its own weakness when it is given time.’ (L. M. Grant) In that Kingdom of Jesus, when He is on the throne of David: “That stone cut out of the mountains without hands, shall bring down those golden images with a powder.” (John Trapp)