2 Samuel 20
Overview
20:1 By occasion of the quarrel, Sheba makes a party in Israel;
20:3 David's ten concubines are put in confinement for life;
20:4 Amasa, made captain over Judah, is slain by Joab;
20:14 Joab pursues Sheba unto Abel;
20:16 A wise woman saves the city by Sheba's head;
20:23 David's officers. Verse 1 And there 2 Samuel 19:41-43; Psalm 34:19 a man 2 Samuel 23:6; Deuteronomy 13:13; Judges 19:22; 1 Samuel 2:12, 30:22; Psalm 17:13; Proverbs 26:21; Habakkuk 1:12, 1:13 he blew 2 Samuel 15:10; Judges 3:27; Proverbs 24:21, 24:22, 25:8 We have 2 Samuel 19:43; 1 Kings 12:16; 2 Chronicles 10:6; Luke 19:14, 19:27 Reciprocal Joshua 22:25 - ye have; Judges 9:28 - Who is Abimelech; 20:13 - children of Belial; 1 Samuel 4:10 - every man; 10:27 - children; 13:3 - blew; 22:7 - the son of Jesse; 25:10 - Who is David; 2 Samuel 3:12 - Whose; 20:21 - a man; 20:22 - he blew; 22:44 - delivered; 2 Chronicles 10:16 - What portion; Psalm 5:6 - the bloody; Proverbs 11:11 - it; 15:18 - wrathful; 16:27 - An ungodly man; 17:11 - General; 17:14 - beginning; Ecclesiastes 9:18 - sinner; 10:13 - beginning; Nahum 1:11 - wicked counsellor; Mark 3:24 - General; Ephesians 4:31 - clamour; James 3:6 - the tongue; 2 Peter 2:10 - despise Verse 2 every man 2 Samuel 19:41; Psalm 62:9, 118:8-10; Proverbs 17:14 the men John 6:66-68; Acts 11:23 from Jordan 2 Samuel 19:15, 19:40, 19:41; 2 Chronicles 10:17 Reciprocal 2 Samuel 3:12 - my hand; 22:44 - delivered; Psalm 53:3 - Every; Ecclesiastes 9:18 - sinner; Ephesians 4:31 - clamour Verse 3 ten women 2 Samuel 15:16, 16:21, 16:22 and putThe confinement and retired maintenance of these women was the only measure which in justice and prudence could be adopted. In China, when an emperor dies, all his women are removed to an edifice called the palace of chastity, situated within the palace, in which they are shut up for the remainder of their lives.wardHeb. an house of ward, Genesis 40:3 shutHeb. boundliving in widowhoodHeb. in widowhood of lifeReciprocal 35:22 - lay with; 38:26 - And he knew; Judges 19:1 - a concubine; Psalm 30:1 - at the; 1 Corinthians 5:1 - that one Verse 4 Amasa 2 Samuel 17:25, 19:13; 1 Chronicles 2:17 AssembleHeb. CallReciprocal 2 Samuel 20:8 - Amasa; 20:11 - for David; 1 Chronicles 12:18 - came upon Amasai Verse 5 So Amasa 2 Samuel 19:13 tarried 1 Samuel 13:8 Reciprocal 20:35 - at the time; 2 Samuel 20:8 - Amasa Verse 6 Abishai 2 Samuel 2:18, 3:30, 3:39, 10:9, 10:10, 10:14, 18:2, 18:12, 21:17, 23:18; 1 Samuel 26:6; 1 Chronicles 11:20, 18:12 do us 2 Samuel 19:7 thy lord's 11:11; 1 Kings 1:33 escape usHeb. deliver himself from our eyesReciprocal Joshua 10:19 - suffer them; 10:20 - fenced cities; 2 Samuel 19:43 - We have; 20:11 - He that; Jeremiah 8:14 - enter; Mark 3:24 - General Verse 7 2 Samuel 20:23, 8:16, 8:18, 15:18, 23:22, 23:23; 1 Kings 1:38, 1:44 Reciprocal 2 Samuel 20:11 - He that; 1 Chronicles 18:17 - Benaiah Verse 8 in Gibeon 2 Samuel 2:13, 3:30 Amasa 20:4, 20:5 Reciprocal Hosea 6:8 - polluted with blood Verse 9 Art thou Psalm 55:21; Proverbs 26:24-26; Micah 7:2 took AmasaThevenot says, that among the Turks it is a great affront to take one by the beard, unless it be to kiss him, in which case they often do it. D'Arvieux, describing an assembly of Arab emirs at an entertainment, says, "After the usual civilities, caresses, kissings of the beard, and of the hand, which every one gave and received according to his rank and dignity, they sat down upon mats." The doing this by the Arab emirs corresponds with the conduct of Joab, and illustrates this horrid assassination.to kiss him Matthew 26:48, 26:49; Luke 22:47, 22:48 Reciprocal Genesis 4:8 - talked; 24:14 - thereby; 29:6 - Is he well; Exodus 21:14 - slay; Deuteronomy 27:24 - General; 2 Samuel 3:27 - took him; 11:16 - he assigned; 13:26 - let my brother; 17:25 - Amasa; 20:10 - in Joab's; 1 Chronicles 21:6 - Joab; Nehemiah 6:2 - Come; Psalm 55:23 - bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; Proverbs 10:18 - that hideth; 26:23 - General; 27:6 - the kisses; Jeremiah 9:8 - one; 41:1 - they did; Mark 14:44 - Whomsoever; Luke 6:41 - but; Romans 12:9 - love Verse 10 in Joab's 2 Samuel 20:9; Judges 3:21; 1 Chronicles 12:2 he smote 2 Samuel 2:23, 3:27; Genesis 4:8; 1 Kings 2:5, 2:6, 2:31-34 and shed Acts 1:18, 1:19 struck him not againHeb. doubled not his stroke, 1 Samuel 26:8 Reciprocal Exodus 21:14 - slay; Numbers 35:20 - if he thrust; Deuteronomy 27:24 - General; 2 Samuel 4:6 - under; 11:16 - he assigned; 20:20 - that I should; 23:18 - Abishai; 1 Kings 2:32 - two men; 1 Chronicles 21:6 - Joab; Psalm 55:23 - bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; Proverbs 10:18 - that hideth; 26:23 - General; 27:6 - the kisses; Jeremiah 9:8 - one; 41:1 - they did; Hosea 11:9 - return; Nahum 1:9 - he; Matthew 26:48 - Whomsoever; Mark 14:44 - Whomsoever; Luke 6:41 - but; 22:48 - betrayest; Romans 12:9 - love Verse 11 He that 2 Samuel 20:6, 20:7, 20:13, 20:21 for David 20:4; 2 Kings 9:32 Reciprocal Exodus 32:26 - Who is on Verse 12 2 Samuel 17:25; Psalm 9:16, 55:23; Proverbs 24:21, 24:22 Reciprocal 2 Samuel 2:23 - stood still; 20:13 - the highway Verse 13 the highway 2 Samuel 20:12, 20:13; Numbers 20:19; Judges 21:19; 1 Samuel 6:12; 2 Kings 18:17; Proverbs 16:17; Isaiah 7:3; 36:2, 62:10; Jeremiah 31:21; Mark 10:46 Reciprocal 2 Samuel 2:23 - stood still; 20:11 - He that Verse 14 AbelOr rather, probably, Abel of Beth-Maachah, as in the next verse. It appears, from Joab having marched "through all the tribes of Israel," to have been situated in the northern confines of the land of Israel, and in the half tribe of Manasseh, east of Jordan, as that was the situation of Maachah, to which it belonged. This agrees with the situation of the Abila which Eusebius and Jerome place between Paneas, or Cesarea Philippi, and Damascus. Josephus says it was a fortified city, and a metropolis of the Israelites; and also that it belonged to the ten tribes, having been taken from the king of Damascus. 1 Kings 15:20; 2 Kings 15:29; 2 Chronicles 16:4 Berites Joshua 18:25, BeerothReciprocal Judges 9:21 - Beer Verse 15 cast up 2 Kings 19:32; Jeremiah 32:24, 33:4; Luke 19:43 a bankSo LXX generally render solelah, by προσχωμα or χωμα; which latter is described by Potter as "a mount, which was raised so high as to equal, if not exceed, the top of the besieged walls. The sides were walled in with bricks or stones, or secured with strong rafters; the fore part only, being by degrees to be moved near the walls, remained bare."it stood in the trenchor, it stood against the outmost wallbatteredetc. Heb. marred to throw downReciprocal 1 Kings 15:20 - Dan; 2 Kings 15:29 - Ijon; Ecclesiastes 9:14 - There was; Ezekiel 26:8 - he shall make Verse 16 2 Samuel 14:2; 1 Samuel 25:3, 25:32, 25:33; Ecclesiastes 9:14-18 Reciprocal Proverbs 11:16 - gracious; 21:22 - General; 31:26 - openeth; Ecclesiastes 7:19 - General; Daniel 2:14 - with Verse 17 Hear the words 2 Samuel 14:12; 1 Samuel 25:24
Verse 18 They were wontetc. or, They plainly spake in the beginning, saying, Surely they will ask of Abel, and so make an end. Deuteronomy 20:10, 20:11 Reciprocal Matthew 5:21 - it Verse 19 peaceable Genesis 18:23; Romans 13:3, 13:4; 1 Timothy 2:2 a mother Judges 5:7; Ezekiel 16:45-49 swallow 2 Samuel 17:16; Numbers 16:32, 26:10; Psalm 124:3; Jeremiah 51:34, 51:44; Lamentations 2:2, 2:5, 2:16; 1 Corinthians 15:54; 2 Corinthians 5:4 the inheritance 2 Samuel 21:3; Exodus 19:5, 19:6; Deuteronomy 32:9; 1 Samuel 26:19 Reciprocal Psalm 35:25 - We have; 120:7 - for peace; Micah 2:8 - securely; Romans 12:18 - General; 2 Corinthians 2:7 - swallowed Verse 20 Far be it 2 Samuel 23:17; Job 21:16, 22:18 that I should 2 Samuel 20:10; Proverbs 28:13; Jeremiah 17:9; Luke 10:29 Reciprocal Genesis 44:7 - General; 2 Samuel 17:16 - be swallowed; 1 Kings 1:38 - the Cherethites; Job 2:3 - destroy him; Luke 6:41 - but; 2 Corinthians 2:7 - swallowed Verse 21 a man 2 Samuel 20:1; Judges 2:9, 7:24; 2 Kings 5:22; Jeremiah 4:15, 50:19 by nameHeb. by his namelifted 2 Samuel 23:18; 1 Samuel 24:6, 26:9 his head 2 Samuel 17:2, 17:3; 2 Kings 10:7; Judges 18:4-8 Reciprocal 4:9 - into; 9:53 - woman; 9:55 - General; 20:13 - deliver; 2 Samuel 20:11 - He that; 1 Kings 11:27 - lifted up; Luke 6:41 - but Verse 22 in her wisdom Ecclesiastes 7:19, 9:14-18 he blew 2 Samuel 20:1, 2:28, 18:16 retiredHeb. were scatteredAnd Joab 3:28-39, 11:6-21; Ecclesiastes 8:11 Reciprocal Judges 3:27 - he blew; 4:9 - into; 5:26 - she smote off; 9:55 - General; 20:13 - deliver; 2 Samuel 22:44 - delivered; Proverbs 17:11 - General Verse 23 Now Joab 2 Samuel 8:16-18; 1 Chronicles 18:15-17 and Benaiah 2 Samuel 20:7 Reciprocal 2:13 - Joab; 8:18 - the Cherethites; 15:18 - Cherethites; 23:20 - Benaiah; 23:23 - over his guard; 24:2 - Joab; 1 Kings 1:7 - Joab; 4:2 - the princes; 1 Chronicles 11:6 - Joab; 11:22 - Benaiah; 11:25 - David; 18:17 - Benaiah Verse 24 Adoram 1 Kings 4:6, 12:18 recorderor, remembrancer, 4:3 Reciprocal 2 Kings 18:18 - the recorder; 2 Chronicles 34:8 - recorder; Isaiah 36:3 - Shebna Verse 25 Sheva 2 Samuel 8:17; 1 Kings 4:4; 1 Chronicles 18:16, ShavshaReciprocal 1 Samuel 22:20 - one; 2 Samuel 15:24 - Zadok; 1 Kings 1:7 - Abiathar; 1:8 - Zadok; 4:3 - Shisha; 2 Kings 12:10 - the king's; 1 Chronicles 6:8 - Zadok; 6:53 - Zadok; 15:11 - Zadok; 24:3 - Zadok; Ezra 4:8 - scribe; Isaiah 36:3 - Shebna; Jeremiah 36:10 - the scribe; Mark 2:26 - Abiathar Verse 26 Ira 2 Samuel 23:38; 1 Chronicles 11:40, IthriteJairite Judges 10:4, 10:5 chief ruleror, prince, 2 Samuel 8:18; Genesis 41:43, 41:45; Exodus 2:14, 2:16
The Hebrew is cohen ledawid, which might be rendered, a priest of David; and so the Septuagint, Vulgate, Syriac, and Arabic. The Chaldee has rav, a chief or prince. Probably he was a kind of domestic chaplain or seer to the king. 2 Samuel 24:11; 2 Chronicles 35:15 Reciprocal 1 Kings 4:5 - the principal; Psalm 132:1 - all his afflictions Verse 1 am a famine Genesis 12:10, 26:1, 41:57, 42:1, 43:1; Leviticus 26:19, 26:20, 26:26; 1 Kings 17:1, 18:2; 2 Kings 6:25, 8:1; Jeremiah 14:1-18 inquiredHeb. sought the face, etcof the Lord 2 Samuel 5:19, 5:23; Numbers 27:21; 1 Samuel 23:2, 23:4, 23:11; Job 5:8-10, 10:2; Psalm 50:15, 91:15 It is Joshua 7:1, 7:11, 7:12 Saul 1 Samuel 22:17-19 Reciprocal Exodus 20:5 - visiting; 20:7 - guiltless; 23:32 - shalt make; 33:7 - sought; Leviticus 4:22 - a ruler hath sinned; Deuteronomy 19:13 - but thou; Joshua 2:17 - General; 6:18 - and trouble it; 9:3 - Gibeon; 9:20 - lest wrath; Ruth 1:1 - a famine; 2 Samuel 21:5 - The man; 24:1 - again; 24:13 - seven; 2 Kings 4:38 - a dearth; 1 Chronicles 21:7 - he smote; 21:12 - three years' famine; Esther 9:27 - and upon their seed; Psalm 15:4 - sweareth; 26:9 - bloody men; 27:4 - inquire; 51:14 - Deliver; 109:14 - Let the; Proverbs 17:13 - General; Jeremiah 32:18 - recompensest; Jonah 1:11 - What; Micah 6:9 - hear; Haggai 1:6 - have; 1:9 - Because; 2 Timothy 3:3 - trucebreakers Verse 2 now the Joshua 9:3-21 the AmoritesThe Gibeonites were Hivites, not Amorites, as appears from 6:19
but Amorites is a name often given to the Canaanites in general. Genesis 15:16 in his zeal Deuteronomy 7:16; 1 Samuel 14:44, 15:8, 15:9; 2 Kings 10:16, 10:31; Luke 9:54, 9:55; John 16:2; Romans 10:2; Galatians 4:17 Reciprocal Exodus 20:7 - guiltless; 23:32 - shalt make; Deuteronomy 7:2 - make no; Joshua 2:17 - General; 5:1 - all the kings; 6:22 - as ye sware unto her; 9:15 - made peace; 1 Kings 2:43 - Why; 15:19 - break thy league; 1 Chronicles 1:14 - Amorite; 2 Chronicles 16:3 - break; 36:13 - who had; Nehemiah 3:7 - the Gibeonite; Esther 9:27 - and upon their seed; Psalm 15:4 - sweareth; Ezekiel 17:16 - whose oath; Acts 22:3 - was; Philippians 3:6 - zeal; Habakkuk 3:1 - an oath Verse 3 wherewith Exodus 32:30; Leviticus 1:4; 1 Samuel 2:25; Micah 6:6, 6:7; Habakkuk 3:1, 3:1-10:12 bless 2 Samuel 20:19 Reciprocal Exodus 30:15 - give less than; Numbers 25:13 - atonement; 2 Samuel 24:21 - the plague; 1 Kings 1:47 - bless; Psalm 28:9 - bless; Galatians 3:13 - for Verse 4 We willetc. or, It is not silver nor gold that we have to do with Saul, or his house; neither pertains it to us to kill, etc. no silver. Psalm 49:6-8; 1 Peter 1:18, 1:19 Reciprocal Genesis 30:31 - General Verse 5 The man 2 Samuel 21:1; Esther 9:24, 9:25; Matthew 7:2 devisedor, cut us off, Daniel 9:26
Verse 6 Let sevenAs God accepted the expiation here demanded, we must suppose that both the enquiry of David, and the answer of the Gibeonites, were directed by some open or secret intimation from him.hang 2 Samuel 17:23, 18:10; Genesis 40:19, 40:22; Numbers 25:4, 25:5; Deuteronomy 21:22; Joshua 8:29, 10:26; Ezra 6:11; Esther 9:10, 9:13, 9:14; Matthew 27:5 in 1 Samuel 10:26, 11:4 whom the Lord did chooseor, the chosen of the Lord, 9:16, 9:17, 10:1, 10:24; Acts 13:21 Reciprocal Exodus 20:5 - visiting; Deuteronomy 21:23 - he that is hanged is accursed of God; 1 Samuel 13:2 - in Gibeah; 24:21 - that thou; 2 Samuel 21:9 - before the Lord; 1 Chronicles 2:49 - Gibea; 12:3 - Gibeathite; Hosea 5:8 - Gibeah Verse 7 Mephibosheth 2 Samuel 4:4, 9:10, 16:4, 19:25 because 1 Samuel 18:3, 20:8, 20:15, 20:17, 20:42, 23:18 Reciprocal Leviticus 5:4 - to do evil; Joshua 2:17 - General; 6:22 - as ye sware unto her; 9:18 - had sworn; Proverbs 18:24 - that hath; 27:10 - own Verse 8 Rizpah 2 Samuel 3:7 and the five sonsThis Adriel did not marry Michal, Saul's younger daughter, but Merab, 1 Samuel 18:19
Michael being married to David, and afterwards to Phaltiel; though it is here said she bore - yaledah
not brought up, as falsely rendered, five sons to Adriel. Two of Dr. Kennicott's manuscripts, however, have Merab, instead of Michal; the Syriac and Arabic have Nadab; and the Chaldee renders the passage thus: "And the five sons of Merab which Michal the daughter of Saul brought up, which she brought forth to Adriel the son of Barzillai."Michalor, Michal's sister, 18:19 brought up forHeb. bare toReciprocal 20:16 - Let the Lord; 2 Samuel 21:10 - Rizpah; Psalm 109:14 - Let the; Jonah 1:15 - they Verse 9 before the Lord 2 Samuel 21:6, 6:17, 6:21; Exodus 20:5; Numbers 35:31-34; Deuteronomy 21:1-9; 1 Samuel 15:33; 2 Kings 24:3, 24:4 in the beginningThis happened in Judea about the vernal equinox, or 21st of March Ruth 1:22 Reciprocal Numbers 25:4 - and hang; Deuteronomy 21:22 - thou hang; Joshua 10:26 - hanged; 2 Samuel 4:12 - hanged; 21:10 - from the; Esther 9:13 - let Haman's ten sons be hanged; Psalm 109:14 - Let the; Jonah 1:15 - they; Galatians 3:13 - for Verse 10 Rizpah 2 Samuel 21:8, 3:7 took sackcloth 1 Kings 21:27; Joel 1:18 from the 2 Samuel 21:9; Deuteronomy 21:13 until waterSome suppose that this means a providential supply of rain, in order to remove the famine; but from the manner in which it is introduced, it seems to denote the autumnal rains, which commence about October. For five months did this broken-hearted woman watch by the bodies of her sons! 11:14; 1 Kings 18:41-45; Jeremiah 5:24, 5:25, 14:22; Hosea 6:3; Joel 2:23; Zechariah 10:1 the birds Genesis 40:19; Ezekiel 39:4 Reciprocal Job 37:13 - for mercy; Proverbs 30:17 - the ravens Verse 11 told David 2 Samuel 2:4; Ruth 2:11, 2:12
Verse 12 the bones of Saul 2 Samuel 2:5-7; 1 Samuel 31:11-13 Bethshan Joshua 17:11, Beth-shean, 1 Samuel 31:10 in Gilboa 2 Samuel 1:6, 1:21; 1 Samuel 28:4, 31:1; 1 Chronicles 10:1, 10:8 Reciprocal 1 Samuel 31:13 - their bones; 1 Chronicles 10:12 - the oak; Psalm 32:3 - When Verse 14 buried 2 Samuel 3:32, 4:12 Zelah Joshua 18:28; 1 Samuel 10:2, ZelzahGod 2 Samuel 24:25; Exodus 32:27-29; Numbers 25:13; Joshua 7:26; 1 Kings 18:40, 18:41; Jeremiah 14:1-7; Joel 2:18, 2:19; Amos 7:1-6; Jonah 1:15; Zechariah 6:8 Reciprocal Numbers 25:11 - turned my; Deuteronomy 19:13 - but thou; 1 Kings 18:45 - there was; 1 Chronicles 21:7 - he smote; Job 37:13 - for mercy; Ezekiel 16:42 - will I Verse 15 the Philistines 2 Samuel 5:17, 5:22; 1 Chronicles 20:4 and David waxed faint Joshua 14:10, 14:11; Psalm 71:9, 71:18, 73:26; Ecclesiastes 12:3; Isaiah 40:28-30; Jeremiah 9:23, 9:24; 1 Peter 1:24, 1:25 Reciprocal Genesis 6:4 - giants; 2 Samuel 8:1 - And after; Psalm 9:5 - rebuked; 18:38 - General; 60:8 - triumph; 108:9 - over Philistia Verse 16 of the sons Genesis 6:4; Numbers 13:32, 13:33; Deuteronomy 1:28, 2:10, 2:21, 3:11, 9:2; 1 Samuel 17:4, 17:5 the giantor, Rapha, 2 Samuel 21:18, 21:20 *marg. 5:18; Genesis 14:5 whose spearHeb. the staff, or, the headthought 1 Samuel 17:45-51 Reciprocal Joshua 11:22 - only in Gaza; Psalm 33:16 - mighty; 87:4 - this man; 144:10 - who delivereth; Habakkuk 3:1 - escaped Verse 17 Abishai 2 Samuel 20:6-10 succoured 22:19; Psalm 46:1, 144:10 Thou shalt 2 Samuel 18:3 quench 14:7; 1 Kings 11:36, 15:4; Psalm 132:17; John 1:8, 1:9, 5:35 lightHeb. candle, or lampReciprocal Exodus 18:23 - and all this; Deuteronomy 31:2 - I can no more; 1 Chronicles 11:20 - Abishai; 18:12 - Moreover; Jeremiah 40:15 - wherefore; Acts 19:30 - the disciples; Habakkuk 3:1 - escaped Verse 18 Sibbechai 1 Chronicles 11:29, 20:4 Saphor, Sippai, 20:4 the giantor, Rapha, 2 Samuel 21:16, 21:20 *marg.Reciprocal 17:8 - mighty men; 1 Chronicles 27:11 - Sibbecai Verse 19 Elhananetc. Instead of הלחמי בית ארגיס יערי גלית את, of the text, we should certainly read, as in the parallel text, "and Elhanan the son of Jair, slew Lahmi the brother of Goliath." 1 Chronicles 11:26 Jaareoregimor, Jair, 20:5 Goliath 1 Samuel 17:4-11 Reciprocal 17:7 - the staff Verse 20 yet a battle 1 Chronicles 20:6 the giantor, Rapha, 2 Samuel 21:16, 21:18 *marg.Reciprocal Numbers 13:32 - men of a great stature; 13:33 - saw the giants; Isaiah 45:14 - men of stature Verse 21 defiedor, reproached, 1 Samuel 17:10, 17:25, 17:26, 17:36; 2 Kings 19:13 Jonathan 1 Chronicles 27:32 Shimeah 1 Samuel 16:9, 17:3, Shammah, 1 Chronicles 2:13, ShimmaReciprocal Numbers 23:7 - defy Israel; 1 Samuel 17:13 - Shammah Verse 22 four 1 Chronicles 20:8 fell by Joshua 14:12; Psalm 60:12, 108:13, 118:15; Ecclesiastes 9:11; Jeremiah 9:23; Romans 8:31, 8:37 Reciprocal 1 Samuel 6:17 - Gath