2 Samuel 3
Overview
3:1 During the war David still waxes stronger;
3:2 Six sons are born to him in Hebron;
3:6 Abner, displeased with Ish-bosheth,
3:7 revolts to David;
3:13 David requires as a condition to bring him his wife Michal;
3:17 Abner, having communed with the Israelites, is feasted by David, and dismissed;
3:22 Joab returning from battle, is displeased with the king, and kills Abner;
3:28 David curses Joab;
3:31 and mourns for Abner. Verse 1 long war 1 Kings 14:30, 15:16, 15:32 between Genesis 3:15; Psalm 45:3-5; Matthew 10:35, 10:36; Galatians 5:17; Ephesians 6:12 David waxed 2 Samuel 2:17; Esther 6:13; Job 8:7, 17:9; Psalm 84:7; Proverbs 4:18, 4:19; Daniel 2:34, 2:35, 2:44, 2:45; Revelation 6:2 Reciprocal Deuteronomy 33:7 - let his hands; Joshua 17:13 - waxen strong; 2 Samuel 2:31 - three hundred; 5:10 - General; 22:44 - delivered; 1 Chronicles 11:9 - waxed greater and greater; 12:22 - day by day; Esther 9:4 - waxed; Psalm 18:43 - from; 71:21 - increase; 89:23 - I will Verse 2 sons born 1 Chronicles 3:1-4 Amnon 2 Samuel 13:1-29; Genesis 49:3, 49:4 Ahinoam 1 Samuel 25:43 Reciprocal Deuteronomy 17:17 - multiply wives; Judges 8:30 - many wives; 1 Samuel 30:5 - two wives; 2 Samuel 11:27 - fetched her; 12:2 - exceeding; 15:10 - Hebron; 1 Kings 11:3 - seven hundred; 2 Chronicles 11:21 - eighteen wives Verse 3 Chileab 1 Chronicles 3:1, DanielAbigail 2 Samuel 2:2; 1 Samuel 25:3, 25:42 Absalom 2 Samuel 13:20-28, 14:24-33, 15:1-18, 17:1-14, 18:9-18, 18:33 Talmai 13:37, 13:38 Geshur Deuteronomy 3:14; Joshua 13:13; 1 Samuel 27:8 Reciprocal Joshua 12:5 - unto the; 13:2 - Geshuri; 1 Samuel 30:5 - two wives; 2 Samuel 13:1 - Absalom; 14:23 - Geshur; 15:10 - Hebron; 1 Kings 1:6 - bare him Verse 4 Adonijah 1 Kings 1:5-18, 2:13-25 Reciprocal 1:6 - bare him; 1:11 - Haggith; 1 Chronicles 3:2 - Adonijah Verse 5 Reciprocal 1 Chronicles 3:3 - Eglah Verse 6 Abner 2 Samuel 2:8, 2:9; 2 Kings 10:23; 2 Chronicles 25:8; Proverbs 21:30; Isaiah 8:9, 8:10; Joel 3:9-13; Matthew 12:30 Reciprocal 2 Samuel 3:27 - and smote; Proverbs 7:26 - General Verse 7 Rizpah 2 Samuel 21:8-11 WhereforeThis action of Abner's seems a most evident proof that he intended to seize on the government; and it was so understood by Ish-bosheth; see parallel texts.gone in 12:8, 16:21, 16:22; 1 Kings 2:17, 2:21, 2:22 Reciprocal Judges 19:1 - a concubine; 1 Samuel 26:5 - Abner; 2 Samuel 2:8 - Ishbosheth; 21:10 - Rizpah; Proverbs 29:12 - General Verse 8 Abner Psalm 76:10; Mark 6:18, 6:19 Amos I a dog's headThis was a proverbial expression among the Hebrews to denote whatever was deemed worthless and contemptible. Something similar to this was the answer of the Turkish commander at Beer, on the Euphrates, to a request made to see the castle. "Do they," said he, "take me for a child, or an ass's head, that they would feed me with sweet meats, and dupe me with a bit of cloth? No, they shall not see the castle." 2 Samuel 9:8, 16:9; Deuteronomy 23:18; 1 Samuel 24:14, 24:15; 2 Kings 8:13 do show 2 Samuel 3:9, 3:18, 5:2; 1 Samuel 15:28; Psalm 2:1-4; Isaiah 37:23; Acts 9:4, 9:5 Reciprocal 1 Samuel 17:43 - Am; 26:5 - Abner; 2 Samuel 2:8 - Ishbosheth; 3:24 - What hast Verse 9 So do God 2 Samuel 3:35, 19:13; Ruth 1:17; 1 Samuel 3:17, 14:44, 25:22; 1 Kings 19:2 as the Lord 1 Samuel 15:28, 16:1-13, 28:17; 1 Chronicles 12:23; Psalm 89:3, 89:4, 89:19, 89:20, 89:35-37 Reciprocal 2 Samuel 3:8 - do show; 3:18 - for the Lord; 1 Kings 2:23 - God; 2 Kings 6:31 - God do so; 1 Chronicles 10:14 - turned; Psalm 89:49 - thou Verse 10 from Dan 2 Samuel 17:11, 24:2; Judges 20:1; 1 Kings 4:25 Reciprocal 1 Samuel 3:20 - Dan; 2 Samuel 3:21 - will gather; 1 Chronicles 10:14 - turned; 21:2 - Beersheba Verse 11 because 2 Samuel 3:39 Reciprocal 2 Kings 14:28 - which belonged to Judah; Psalm 60:2 - broken Verse 12 Whose 2 Samuel 19:6, 20:1-13 Make Psalm 62:9; Luke 16:5-8 my hand 2 Samuel 3:21, 3:27, 5:1-3, 19:14, 19:41-43, 20:1, 20:2; 1 Chronicles 11:1-3, 12:38-40; Matthew 21:8-10 Reciprocal 2 Samuel 3:38 - a prince; 8:15 - over all Israel Verse 13 that isHeb. sayingThou shalt Genesis 43:3, 44:23, 44:26 exceptAs Michal was not divorced, but violently separated from David, he had a legal right to demand her, and was justified in receiving her again. It is probable, also, that her marriage with Phaltiel was a force upon her inclinations; and whatever affections he might have for her, it was highly criminal for him to take another man's wife. David required Michal probably both out of affection for her, and to strengthen his interest, by asserting his affinity with the house of Saul.Michal 2 Samuel 3:20-23; 1 Samuel 18:20-28, 19:11-17; 1 Chronicles 15:29 Reciprocal Genesis 33:10 - I have seen; 1 Samuel 14:49 - name of the firstborn; 2 Samuel 14:24 - let him not Verse 14 Ishbosheth 2 Samuel 2:10 an hundred 1 Samuel 18:25, 18:27 Reciprocal Genesis 17:11 - the flesh; 29:18 - I will serve; 34:12 - dowry; 1 Samuel 25:44 - Phalti; 2 Samuel 6:16 - Michal; 1 Chronicles 15:29 - Michal Verse 15 Phaltiel 1 Samuel 25:44, Phalti
Verse 16 along weepingHeb. going and weeping, Proverbs 9:17, 9:18 Bahurim 2 Samuel 16:5, 17:18, 19:16; 1 Kings 2:8 Reciprocal Jeremiah 41:6 - weeping Verse 17 in times pastHeb. both yesterday and the third day, 2 Samuel 3:17 Reciprocal 1 Samuel 24:20 - I know well; 1 Chronicles 11:10 - to make; Psalm 75:7 - he putteth Verse 18 for the Lord 2 Samuel 3:9; 1 Samuel 13:14, 15:28, 16:1, 16:12, 16:13; John 12:42, 12:43 By the hand Psalm 89:3, 89:4, 89:19-23, 132:17, 132:18 Reciprocal 1 Samuel 24:20 - I know well; 2 Samuel 3:8 - do show; 1 Chronicles 11:10 - to make; 12:23 - according; Psalm 60:6 - God; 75:7 - he putteth; 78:70 - chose Verse 19 Benjamin 1 Samuel 10:20, 10:21; 1 Chronicles 12:29; Psalm 68:27
Verse 20 David Genesis 26:30, 31:54; Esther 1:3 Reciprocal Genesis 21:8 - feast; 2 Samuel 3:13 - Michal; 1 Chronicles 12:17 - If ye be come Verse 21 will gather 2 Samuel 3:10, 3:12, 2:9; Philippians 2:21 reign over 1 Kings 11:37; Psalm 20:4 Reciprocal Genesis 31:54 - did eat; 1 Samuel 23:20 - all the desire; 2 Samuel 17:3 - I will bring; 1 Kings 11:21 - Let me depart; 1 Chronicles 11:10 - to make Verse 22 Reciprocal 2 Samuel 4:2 - captains Verse 23 Reciprocal Proverbs 17:26 - to strike Verse 24 What hastJoab and his brother Abishai, David's nephews, had been very faithful and highly useful to him in his distresses; and, from gratitude and natural affection, he had inadvertently permitted them to assume almost as much ascendancy over him as Abner had over the pusillanimous Ishbosheth: he trusted and feared them too much, and allowed them all the importance they claimed; which had emboldened them, especially Joab, to a high degree of presumption. 2 Samuel 3:8, 3:39, 19:5-7; Numbers 23:11; John 18:35 Reciprocal Genesis 3:13 - What; 1 Samuel 13:11 - What hast; 2 Samuel 19:6 - thou regardest; Proverbs 19:10 - much Verse 25 that he came 2 Samuel 3:27; 2 Kings 18:32 *marg. John 7:12, 7:47; Romans 2:1 and to know 2 Samuel 10:3; Genesis 42:9, 42:12, 42:16; Numbers 27:17; Deuteronomy 28:6; 1 Samuel 29:4-6; Psalm 121:8; Isaiah 37:28 Reciprocal 1 Samuel 29:6 - thy going; 2 Samuel 19:6 - thou regardest; Proverbs 19:10 - much Verse 26 he sent Proverbs 26:23-26, 27:4-6 Reciprocal 1 Kings 2:32 - my father Verse 27 took him 2 Samuel 20:9, 20:10; Deuteronomy 27:24; 1 Kings 2:5, 2:32 quietlyor, peaceably, Jeremiah 41:2, 41:6, 41:7 and smoteJoab was afraid that Abner, after rendering such essential service to David, would be made the general of the army; and therefore, under pretence of avenging the death of his brother, he treacherously assassinated the unsuspecting and too-confiding Abner, and such was the power of this cool-blooded and nefarious murderer, that the king dared not bring him to justice for his crime. But, while Joab's conduct cannot be too severely reprobated, the justice of God is apparent in Abner's punishment; who, from ambition, had pertinaciously, against his conscience, opposed the declared will of God; and was induced by base resentment to desert Ish-bosheth, and offer his services to David. See note on 2 Samuel 3:6, and see note on 4:6.for the blood 2:19-23 Reciprocal Genesis 4:8 - talked; Exodus 21:14 - slay; Numbers 35:20 - if he thrust; 1 Samuel 14:50 - the name of the captain; 26:5 - Abner; 2 Samuel 2:22 - how then; 2:23 - the fifth rib; 3:12 - my hand; 3:25 - that he came; 4:11 - require; 11:16 - he assigned; 11:21 - Thy servant; 13:26 - let my brother; 14:19 - of Joab; 1 Chronicles 11:6 - Joab; 21:6 - Joab; 27:21 - Abner; Nehemiah 6:2 - Come; Psalm 55:23 - bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; Proverbs 7:26 - General; 10:18 - that hideth; 26:26 - Whose hatred is covered by deceit; Jeremiah 9:8 - one; 41:1 - they did; Hosea 6:8 - polluted with blood; Matthew 26:48 - Whomsoever Verse 28 guiltless Genesis 9:6; Exodus 21:12; Numbers 35:33; Deuteronomy 21:1-9; Matthew 27:24 bloodHeb. bloods, Genesis 4:10 *marg.Reciprocal Numbers 32:22 - be guiltless; Deuteronomy 21:8 - lay not; Joshua 2:19 - his blood; 1 Samuel 25:39 - hath returned; 2 Samuel 13:21 - he was very wroth; 14:9 - and the king; 16:8 - the blood; 20:22 - And Joab; 1 Kings 2:31 - and from; 2:33 - upon David; Psalm 51:14 - Deliver; Daniel 6:14 - and he; Matthew 27:25 - His; Acts 20:26 - that Verse 29 rest 2 Samuel 1:16; Judges 9:24, 9:56, 9:57; 1 Kings 2:31-34; Acts 28:4; Revelation 16:6 let there 1 Samuel 2:32-36; 2 Kings 5:27; Psalm 109:8-19 failHeb. be cut offan issue Leviticus 13:44-46; 2 Kings 5:1 Reciprocal Exodus 21:19 - upon his staff; Leviticus 13:2 - the plague of leprosy; 15:2 - when any man; Joshua 2:19 - his blood; 1 Samuel 25:39 - hath returned; 2 Samuel 13:21 - he was very wroth; 14:9 - and the king; 14:19 - of Joab; 16:8 - the blood; 19:13 - room of Joab; 1 Kings 2:33 - return upon; 2 Kings 15:5 - the Lord; Psalm 109:10 - General; 109:14 - Let the; Jeremiah 33:17 - David shall never want; Daniel 6:14 - and he; Matthew 27:25 - His; Mark 1:40 - a leper Verse 30 slew Abner Proverbs 28:17; Acts 28:4 because 2 Samuel 2:19-23 Reciprocal 16:9 - Abishai; 19:13 - room of Joab; 20:6 - Abishai; 20:8 - in Gibeon; 23:18 - Abishai; 1 Chronicles 11:20 - Abishai; 11:26 - Asahel; 18:12 - Moreover Verse 31 And DavidDavid, intending no doubt to punish Joab, and to lessen his authority with the people, commanded him to take upon him the office of chief mourner; but, as his revenge was gratified, his rival removed, and no heavier punishment inflicted, it is probable his hardened mind would feel but little objection to the ceremony.Rend 2 Samuel 1:2, 1:11; Genesis 37:29, 37:34; Joshua 7:6; Judges 11:35; 2 Kings 19:1 bierHeb. bed, Luke 7:14 Reciprocal Numbers 14:6 - rent their clothes; 2 Samuel 11:26 - she mourned; 13:31 - all his servants; 1 Kings 20:31 - put sackcloth; 2 Kings 5:8 - rent his clothes; Ecclesiastes 3:7 - time to rend; Isaiah 15:3 - their streets; Acts 8:2 - made Verse 32 lifted 2 Samuel 1:12, 18:33; 1 Samuel 30:4; Job 31:28; Proverbs 24:17; Luke 19:41, 19:42 Reciprocal 2 Samuel 4:12 - in the sepulchre; 21:14 - buried Verse 33 as a fool diethThat is, as a bad man, as the word frequently signifies in Scripture. 2 Samuel 13:12, 13:13, 13:28, 13:29; Proverbs 18:7; Ecclesiastes 2:15, 2:16; Jeremiah 17:11; Luke 12:19, 12:20 Reciprocal 1 Samuel 26:5 - Abner; Jeremiah 22:18 - Ah my brother; Ezekiel 32:16 - General Verse 34 handsThe hand of malefactors were usually secured with cords, and their feet with fetters; a custom to which David affectingly alludes in his lamentation over the dust of Abner. Thy hands, O Abner, were not bound, as found to be a malefactor, nor thy feet put in fetters; thou was treated with honour by him whose business it was to judge thee, and thy attachment to the house of Saul was esteemed rather generous than culpable: as the best of men may fall, so thou fellest by the sword of treachery, not of justice. Judges 16:21; Psalm 107:10, 107:11 wicked menHeb. children of iniquity, Job 24:14; Hosea 6:9 wept 2 Samuel 1:12 Reciprocal 11:21 - Thy servant; 14:19 - of Joab; Ezekiel 32:16 - General Verse 35 cause 2 Samuel 12:17; Jeremiah 16:7; Ezekiel 24:17, 24:22 So do 2 Samuel 3:9; Ruth 1:17 till the 2 Samuel 1:12; Judges 20:26 Reciprocal 1 Samuel 3:17 - God; 20:13 - The Lord do; 1 Kings 2:23 - God; 2 Kings 6:31 - God do so; 1 Chronicles 10:12 - fasted Verse 36 pleased themHeb. was good in their eyesas 2 Samuel 15:6, 15:13; Psalm 62:9; Mark 7:37, 15:11-13 Reciprocal Genesis 41:37 - good; 45:16 - it pleased Pharaoh well; 1 Chronicles 13:4 - the thing; Acts 15:22 - pleased Verse 37 Reciprocal 2 Samuel 16:7 - bloody man; 1 Kings 2:32 - my father; 1 Chronicles 27:21 - Abner Verse 38 a prince 2 Samuel 3:12, 2:8; 1 Samuel 14:50, 14:51; Job 32:9
Verse 39 I am Exodus 21:12; 2 Chronicles 19:6, 19:7; Psalm 75:10, 101:8; Proverbs 20:8, 25:5 weakHeb. tender, 1 Chronicles 22:5; Isaiah 7:4 *marg. Romans 13:4 the sons 1 Chronicles 2:15, 2:16 too hard 2 Samuel 19:6, 19:7, 19:13 the Lord 1 Kings 2:5, 2:6, 2:33, 2:34; Psalm 7:16, 28:4, 62:12; 2 Timothy 4:14 Reciprocal 2 Samuel 3:11 - because; 3:24 - What hast; 4:11 - require; 16:10 - What have; 19:22 - What have; 20:6 - Abishai; Job 21:19 - he rewardeth; Proverbs 17:26 - to strike; 19:10 - much; Jeremiah 38:5 - for; Daniel 6:16 - the king; Matthew 8:2 - a leper