Commentari biblici

The war between the house of David and the house of Saul. Six sons born to David in Hebron, 2 Samuel 3:1-5. Abner, displeased with Ish-bosheth, 2 Samuel 3:6-11, revolteth to David, who requireth of him that he bring with him Michal, which he does, and communes with the elders of Israel; is feasted by David and dismissed, 2 Samuel 3:12-21. Joab returning from battle is displeased with the king, and treacherously murdereth Abner, 2 Samuel 3:22-27. David curseth Joab, 2 Samuel 3:28-30. Mourneth over Abner, 2 Samuel 3:31-39.

Long war; for five years longer; for it is probable that Ish-bosheth was made king presently upon Saul’s death, to give them countenance for their rebellion against David; and the other tribes did not submit to David before seven years were expired.

No text from Poole on this verse.

Chileab, called also Daniel, 1 Chronicles 3:1.

Geshur; a part of Syria, northward from the land of Israel, Deu 3:14 Joshua 12:5. See 2 Samuel 13:37 14:23 15:8. Her he married, as it may seem, in policy, that he might have a powerful friend and ally to assist him against Ish-bosheth’s party in the north, whilst himself opposed him in the southern parts. But he paid dear for making piety give place to policy herein, as the history of Absalom showeth. There were other Geshurites southward from Canaan, whom David invaded, 1 Samuel 27:8, and it is not impossible but they were a colony of those in the north.

No text from Poole on this verse.

David’s wife: this is added, either because she was of obscure parentage, and was known by no other title but her relation to David; or to distinguish her from some other person of that name, who possibly might be of no good fame; or because this was his first and most proper wife, best known by her other name of Michal, who, though she had no child by David after she scoffed at him for dancing before the ark, 2 Samuel 6:23, yet might have one before that time. And she might be named the last of these here, because she was given away from David, and married to another man, when David took the other wives; and therefore though she had been first, yet now she was become the last of them. Or this title, being put in the last place, may belong to all the rest of the women above mentioned, by a figure called zeugma, to distinguish them from his concubines, 2 Samuel 5:13 1 Chronicles 3:9.

He used all his endeavours to support Saul’s house; which is mentioned, to show the reason of his deep resentment of the following aspersion. Or, he strengthened himself in the house of Saul, i.e. he so managed all affairs, as to get all the riches and power into his own hands; which made Ish-bosheth suspect that he aimed at the kingdom, and sought to marry the king’s concubine in order to it, as the manner was. See 2 Samuel 12:8 16:21 1 Kings 1:17.

Either, first, To satisfy thy own lust. Or rather, secondly, By that pretence to take away my crown first; for this was that which stirred up his jealousy and rage, and caused him to speak that to Abner which otherwise he neither would nor durst. But whether Abner were guilty or no, it is not evident from the following words; for if it were true, great men cannot endure to be told of their faults, though they be true and great.

A dog’s head, i.e. a vile and contemptible creature, as a dog was. See Deu 23:18 1 Samuel 24:14 2 Samuel 9:8 16:9 Job 30:1 Ecclesiastes 9:4. And a dog’s head is put for a dog by a synecdoche, usual both in the Hebrew and in other languages, as the head is oft put for the whole man in the Latin tongue. Which against Judah; so the particle lamed is well rendered, as el, which among the Hebrews is confessedly of the same nature and use, is used Ecclesiastes 9:14 Jeremiah 34:7 Ezekiel 13:9,20 Am 7:15.

Have not delivered thee into the hand of David, which I could oft and easily have done. That thou chargest me to-day with a fault concerning this woman; either, that thou accusest me falsely concerning this matter; or, that thou canst not wink at so small a fault (for so he esteemed it) as conversation with this woman, who, whatsoever she formerly was, is now so impotent and inconsiderable, that she can do thee no service, as I have done.