Chapter 2

1 David, by God’s direction, with his company goeth up to Hebron, where he is made king of Judah. 5 He commendeth them of Jabesh-gilead for their kindness to Saul. 8 Abner maketh Ish-bosheth king of Israel. 12 A mortal skirmish between twelve of Abner’s and twelve of Joab’s men. 18 Asahel is slain. 25 At Abner’s motion Joab soundeth a retreat. 32 Asahel’s burial.

1. Enquired of the Lord. David had learned by bitter experience the folly of making important decisions without divine counsel (see 1 Sam. 27 to 30). At this important juncture his first concern was to know what God would have him do. His inquiry was probably made through Abiathar the priest (see 1 Sam. 23:6, 9–12; 30:6–8).

Shall I go up? For some time David had been an exile from his own country, but the death of Saul had opened the way for his return to his own land. Every consideration seemed to indicate that the time had come for a return, but before going back David sought to know the will of the Lord.

Unto Hebron. The ancient home of Abraham (Gen. 13:18), and the burial place of Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, and Jacob. It lay 24 3/4 mi. (39.6 km.) northeast of Beersheba, probably 17 1/8 mi. (27.4 km.) from Ziklag, in a beautiful valley surrounded by fertile hills and fruitful lands. The region had long been famous for its vineyards, its grapes being regarded as the finest in Palestine. David had maintained friendly relations with this city during the lifetime of Saul. It was well suited for the temporary capital of David’s southern kingdom, not only being situated in a strong position in the mountains of Judah, amid people who were friendly to David, but having the sacred associations of the early patriarchs. The city became the home of David for the next seven years.

2. His two wives. See 1 Sam. 25:42, 43.

3. His men. The 600 who had gone with David to Achish (1 Sam. 27:2, 3). Many of them were married, and they came with their families and possessions, including their flocks and herds.

Cities of Hebron. Hebron had evidently given its name to the district in which the city was located, as Samaria was the term used for the country around the city of Samaria.

4. They anointed David. David had already been anointed privately by Samuel (1 Sam. 16:13). This gave him the evidence that his appointment was of God. He was now publicly anointed in recognition of his acceptance by the tribe of Judah. Saul too was first privately anointed by Samuel and later publicly proclaimed king (1 Sam. 10:1, 24; 11:14, 15). David’s countrymen in Judah had long recognized that David had been divinely selected for their future king and to a large extent had been on friendly terms with him during the long period when he was an outlaw and a fugitive from Saul. In recognition of their kindness David had sent presents to them (1 Sam. 30:26–31), thus maintaining the bond of friendship and attachment. Later David was anointed a third time, as king over all the tribes (2 Sam. 5:3).

Jabesh-gilead. A town about 2 2/3 mi. (4.3 km.) east of Jordan, about 21 1/2 mi. (34.4 km.) from the Sea of Galilee. For more on this site see on 1 Sam. 11:1. Saul had come to the rescue of Jabesh-gilead when Nahash the Ammonite encamped against it, putting the Ammonites to flight (1 Sam. 11:1–11). It was evidently for this kindness that the men of Jabesh-gilead had rescued the body of Saul from the wall of Beth-shan and had given it an honorable burial (1 Sam. 31:11–13; 1 Chron. 10:11, 12).

5. Sent messengers. The conduct of David toward Jabesh-gilead was no doubt prompted by kindness and sincerity. It was also a wise policy. The men of Jabesh-gilead had shown themselves kind to the former king of Israel, and for this they were commended by the new king. David did not harbor a grudge toward the memory of Saul even though he had suffered severely at Saul’s hand. By recognizing the kindness and valor of those who had given their allegiance to Saul, David won the allegiance of these men to himself.

6. Requite you. David pledged that he would be the friend and protector of the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead even as Saul had been before him. Since the city was vulnerable to attack from the eastern desert, the time might come when the people would need the help of the new king. David wanted them to know that he held nothing against them because of their loyalty to Saul, and that they could count upon him even as they had counted on Saul.

7. Be ye valiant. An invitation from David for the men of Jabesh-gilead to show themselves as faithful and valiant to him as they had shown themselves faithful to Israel’s former king.

8. The son of Ner. See on 1 Sam. 14:50.

Captain of Saul’s host. When Saul became king he made his uncle Abner commander in chief of his army (1 Sam. 14:50). Abner was thus, by the ties of blood and of office, strongly attached to the house of Saul. He had been with Saul in the pursuit of David, and was not now willing that the man he had so long hunted should succeed to the kingdom over which Saul had reigned. Abner never forgot the rebuke David gave him for sleeping on guard (1 Sam. 26:7–16). He was proud, vengeful, and ambitious, determined to have his own way rather than to allow David to rule as the anointed of the Lord.

Ish-bosheth. The youngest of Saul’s four sons. The other sons were slain with Saul at the battle of Mt. Gilboa (1 Sam. 31:2). His name (shortened to Ishui in 1 Sam. 14:49) was probably originally Esh-baal (1 Chron. 8:33; 9:39), meaning “man of Baal,” for no king would name his son “Ish-bosheth,” meaning “man of shame.”

Mahanaim. Literally, “two camps.” This town was on the east side of the Jordan, but its site has not been identified. One of two suggested sites is east of Jabesh-gilead. Jacob gave the name to the place when the angels of God met him after he had parted from Laban and before he crossed the Jabbok (Gen. 32:1, 2). It was a Levitical city (Joshua 21:38). Located in the eastern section of the country, it was in comparative safety from the attacks of the Philistines and of the forces of David should David choose to suppress his rival. When David later fled from Absalom he made Mahanaim his place of refuge (2 Sam. 17:24). The city is mentioned in Shishak’s victory inscription as Mhnm, in the Egyptian vowelless hieroglyphic script (see on 1 Kings 14:25).

9. Made him king. The coronation of Ish-bosheth as king over Israel was due to the determined purpose of Abner. Long associated with Saul, Abner had come to hate the man whom God had chosen as king. He was unprincipled, a man who was devoted to his own low, selfish interests rather than the interests of the people or the will of the Lord. He would rather bring about a division of the kingdom and distress upon the nation than accept David as king.

Over Gilead. The description of the territory over which Ish-bosheth ruled begins with the region surrounding the capital, Mahanaim, and then extends to the more distant areas. With the exception of Gilead all the sites are on the west of the Jordan, with Benjamin in the south in the area north of Jerusalem.

Ashurites. It is not clear what people are meant. The reference may be to members of the tribe of Asher (see Judges 1:32). The LXX has “Thasiri” and the Vulgate and the Syriac “Geshur.” Ish-bosheth was accepted first in Gilead and later extended his rule “over all Israel.”

10. Two years. Ish-bosheth began his reign in the same year as David, and reigned two years at Mahanaim. This does not mean that the total length of Ish-bosheth’s reign was two years, but that after two years the events about to be described, Abner’s war with David (vs. 12–32), the long war between the house of Saul and the house of David (ch. 3:1), and Abner’s revolt to David (ch. 3:6–39), took place (see PP 699).

11. Seven years and six months. This statement seems to be parenthetically introduced to give the total length of David’s reign at Hebron. Since the length of Ish-bosheth’s reign is not known (see on v. 10), we do not know the interval between Ish-bosheth’s death and the time that David was anointed king “over Israel” (ch. 5:3).

12. Went out. That is, for the purpose of war (see 1 Sam. 18:30; 2 Sam. 21:17; 1 Chron. 20:1).

To Gibeon. Desirous of extending his power over all Israel, Abner ventured to the borders of David’s domain. Gibeon was in the territory of Benjamin, 5 3/4 mi. (9.2 km.) northwest of Jerusalem. The site is now known as ejРJib.

13. Zeruiah. Zeruiah was the sister of David (1 Chron. 2:16), and Joab was therefore the nephew of David. He later became the commander in chief of David’s armies (1 Chron. 11:6; cf. 2 Sam. 5:8).

The pool of Gibeon. To the southeast of the hill of Gibeon is a copious spring that issues into a reservoir excavated in the limestone rock. Below, a large open reservoir, the ruins of which still remain, stored the overflow from this subterranean spring. The forces of Joab and Abner sat in full sight of each other, on opposite sides of the pool.

14. Play. Abner challenged Joab to a test of strength to be decided by a combat between an equal number of champions to be selected from each side. Such contests preceding a battle were not uncommon in ancient times.

16. Helkath-hazzurim. A commemorative name that means “field of flints” or “field of [sword] edges.” The LXX renders this, “the portion of the treacherous ones.”

17. A very sore battle. The numbers engaged were probably not large, since the total of those slain was only 20 on the side of David and 360 on the side of Israel (vs. 30, 31), but the contest was fought out with a fierceness that brought a decisive victory to the forces of Judah.

19. Asahel pursued. Abner was the backbone of the resistance against David. If he could be put out of the contest, the cause of Ish-bosheth would collapse, and the entire kingdom would quickly be united under David. Understanding this, Asahel persistently kept on the heels of Israel’s commander in chief.

21. Turn thee aside. Recognizing that the foe who was pursuing him was the brother of Joab, Abner was unwilling to injure him and urged that he turn aside and content himself with some meaner antagonist. Though light of foot (v. 18), Asahel was no match for a probably more robust and seasoned warrior.

22. Hold up my face. Abner made a second attempt to dissuade Asahel from his pursuit, making it clear that he feared the blood feud that must inevitably follow if he were to slay the brother of David’s doughty commander in chief.

23. Under the fifth rib. This expression (see ch. 3:27; 4:6; 20:10) simply means “abdomen,” and should be so translated.

24. The hill of Ammah. Neither this place nor Giah has been identified.

25. Gathered themselves. It appears that Abner’s forces had become widely scattered, but the Benjamites had kept together and now joined Abner in a strong position upon a hilltop.

26. Devour for ever. The forces of Abner had lost heavily in the struggle, but in their present hilltop position they would have been able to inflict heavy losses upon the troops of Joab if the latter had persisted in the attack. Knowing that he was in no position to win, and knowing also that Joab would be aware of the heavy price he would have to pay if he was determined to rout him from his strong defensive position, Abner now made an appeal to the opposing forces to stop pursuing their fellow Hebrews. Abner had laid down a challenge to war, and he now set forth an appeal for peace. In this appeal Abner was motivated largely by his own defeat and present danger, and not by a sincere desire to terminate the struggle with the house of David. His conciliatory proposal was dictated by a change in circumstances, not by a change of heart.

27. Unless thou hadst spoken. The exact meaning of these words of Joab is not clear. Several interpretations have been offered: (1) Joab is referring back to the events of the morning, placing the blame for the struggle upon Abner and insisting that the people on both sides were ready that morning to go to their homes without a battle had not Abner issued his challenge to war. (2) Joab was endeavoring to make it clear to Abner that had he not asked for peace the people would have continued the struggle till the morning, with all that that implied of still further disastrous results for Abner. (3) Even if Abner had not spoken, Joab had intended continuing the struggle only till the morning, but in view of Abner’s present request he was willing to call off the battle at this juncture. On the whole, it seems that Joab was endeavoring to place the blame upon Abner, whose rash challenge at Gibeon had brought on the struggle that day between brother and brother. To engage in civil war was most unfortunate, and Joab sought to clear himself of responsibility for what had occurred.

28. Any more. Heb. Фod, literally, “still,” “yet,” “again.” The word expresses continuance but not necessarily endless duration. Here the duration is definitely limited, for “there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David” (ch. 3:1). The words “any more” simply mark the termination of this particular war.

29. Walked all that night. Abner did not intend to run the risk of continuing the struggle the next morning, but made an immediate withdrawal.

Through the plain. Literally, “through the Arabah.” The Arabah is a term applied to the depression of the Jordan, from the Sea of Galilee to the Dead Sea and to the depression extending south of the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Aqabah.

Bithron. From the root bathar, “to cut in two.” Hence probably a ravine in the sense of a region being cut up with mountains and valley. Bithron has generally been understood as an unknown valley or district leading to Mahanaim. Some apply the idea of “to cut in two” to a day and make Abner and his men continue their all-night retreat by marching in addition “the whole forenoon,” that is, half of the following day (see RSV).

30. Nineteen men. These were probably in addition to the 12 men who died that morning at Gibeon (vs. 15, 16).

31. Three hundred and threescore. This great disparity between the losses among the men of Judah and those of Israel may have been due to the fact that David’s men were seasoned veterans who had been with him in his long period of flight from Saul (see 1 Sam. 23:13; 27:2; 30:9), while Abner’s men were probably remnants of Saul’s defeated army.

32. Took up Asahel. The bodies of the other soldiers who were slain were probably buried where they fell, but because of Asahel’s relationship to both David and Joab his body was taken to Bethlehem, where it was given burial in the family tomb.

At break of day. Hebron was 14 mi. (22.4 km.) south-southwest of Bethlehem and 23 mi. (36.8 km.) from Gibeon. It would have been a remarkable feat for David’s men, after their long pursuit of the forces of Abner, to leave the scene of battle after nightfall (v. 24), secure the body of Asahel, take it to Bethlehem, bury it in the family tomb, and then continue their march to reach Hebron by daybreak. However, the narrative does not make clear whether the overnight march was from the battlefield or from Bethlehem. Perhaps it was from the latter, inasmuch as some time would be involved in the burial of Asahel.

It is sometimes difficult to understand the motives that prompt a man to take a certain course of action that seems, in retrospect, to have been ill-advised. One cannot help but wish that better judgment had prevailed.

Ellen G. White comments

1–24PP 697–699

1–4PP 697

5–9PP 698

8, 10, 22, 23    PP 699