2Sa 2:1 And it came to pass after this, that David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And the LORD said unto him, Go up. And David said, Whither shall I go up? And he said, Unto Hebron.
Enquired of the Lord - Thus David begins at the right end, and lays his foundation in God's counsel and assistance.
Enquired of the Lord - Through Abiathar, the high priest and through the Urim and Thummim, in the ephod he had put on on this occasion, for he did not know whether the different tribes were willing to receive him, though he was fully persuaded that God had appointed him king over Israel . The death of Saul and Jonathan had entirely changed David’s position, and therefore he needed divine guidance how to act under the new circumstances in which he was placed.
Enquired of the Lord - though the Lord had promised him the kingdom, and he had been anointed by Samuel by his appointment, yet he was not hasty to take it into his hands, but was desirous of acting according to the will of God, and by his direction, and wait his time when and where he should go and take possession of it; he mentions Judah because it was his own tribe, and where he had the most friends:
To Hebron - The metropolis of the tribe of Judah, one of the richest regions in Judea . The mountains of Hebron were famed for fruits, herbage, and honey; and many parts were well adapted for vines, olives, and different kinds of grain, abounding in springs of excellent water. Hebron was well suited for the temporary capital of David’s kingdom, being situated in a strong position in the mountains of Judah , amidst David’s friends, and withal having especially sacred. It appears to have also been the center of a district 2Sa_2:3.
unto Hebron - a city of the priests, a city of refuge, Jos_21:13.
2Sa 2:2 So David went up thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail Nabal's wife the Carmelite.
2Sa 2:3 And his men that were with him did David bring up, every man with his household: and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron.
And his men that were with him did David bring up - They and their families, and no doubt provided well for them when he was settled on the throne, who had shown themselves to be his faithful friends, closely attached to his interest, and had run the risk of their all on his account.
they dwelt in the cities of Hebron - in the towns and villages about it; for that itself being a city of refuge, and inhabited by priests, there was not room enough for all David's men, who were now increasing.
2Sa 2:4 And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, That the men of Jabeshgilead were they that buried Saul.
Anointed David king - David had already been anointed by Samuel 1Sa_16:13. His first anointing indicated God’s secret purpose, his second the accomplishment of that purpose. The interval between the anointing of the Lord Jesus as the Christ of God, and His taking to Himself His kingdom and glory, seems to be thus typified.
the men of Judah came - The inhabitants of the tribe of Judah came from the several parts of it to Hebron , that is, the principal of them, the elders of each city:
they anointed David king over the house of Judah - they did not take upon them to make him king over all Israel, but left the rest of the tribes to act for themselves; and no doubt in this they had the mind of David, who was not willing to force himself upon the people at once, but by degrees get the whole government into his hands, as Providence should make his way; these men knew the kingdom was promised to their tribe, from Gen_49:10 The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a Lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come. And the obedience of the peoples to him; and were quite clear in what they did, and, without question, knew that David had been anointed by Samuel: but as that anointing was only a declaration of the Lord's choice of him, and of his will that he should be king after Saul's death, he is again anointed by the people, as an inauguration into his office:
Anointed - This they did upon just grounds, because not only the kingdom was promised to that tribe, but David was designed and anointed by God, whose will both they and all Israel were obliged to obey. And they resolved not to neglect their duty, though they saw the other tribes would. Yet their modesty is observable, they make him king of Judah only, and not of all Israel . And therefore there was need of a third anointing to the kingdom over all Israel , which he had 2Sa_5:3, that first anointing; 1Sa_16:13, was only a designation of the person who should be king, but not an actual inauguration of him to the kingdom.
they told David the men of Jabeshgilead were they that buried Saul - It is probable, that as soon as David was anointed king, the first thing he thought of was to inquire after the body of the late king, and give it an honorable interment, and upon inquiry was told that the men of Jabeshgilead had buried him already.
2Sa 2:5 And David sent messengers unto the men of Jabeshgilead, and said unto them, Blessed be ye of the LORD, that ye have shewed this kindness unto your lord, even unto Saul, and have buried him.
and have buried him - To bury the dead, with the Jews, was always reckoned an instance of humanity and kindness, and indeed of piety; an act done in imitation of God, who buried Moses, and so it might be expected the divine blessing would attend it.
You have shown this kindness - For as it is, an act of inhumanity to deny burial to the dead; so it is an act of mercy and kindness to bury them.
2Sa 2:6 And now the LORD shew kindness and truth unto you: and I also will requite you this kindness, because ye have done this thing.
I also will requite you this kindness - 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 favor to them for this act of kindness to Saul.
2Sa 2:7 Therefore now let your hands be strengthened, and be ye valiant: for your master Saul is dead, and also the house of Judah have anointed me king over them.
Now let your hands be strengthened - David certainly wished to attach the men of Jabesh to his interest; he saw that they were generous and valiant, and must be of great service to him whose part they espoused; and he was no doubt afraid that they would attach themselves to the house of Saul, in consideration of the eminent services Saul had rendered them in rescuing them from Nahash, king of the Ammonites.
the house of Judah have anointed me king over them - he would take their parts, and help and assist them; and which he suggests to them, to invite them to own him as their king also, and put themselves under his protection. With Saul dead, they might be discouraged, as having none to protect and defend them, or come to their relief as he did, should they be attacked:
Be valiant - Be not afraid lest the Philistines should punish you for this fact, but take good courage, I will defend you.
2Sa 2:8 But Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul's host, took Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim;
Abner the son of Ner - This man had long been one of the chief captains of Saul’s army, and commander-in-chief on several occasions; This man's father, Ner, was Saul's uncle, 1Sa_14:50, and he was his own cousin, and being general of his army, a post he was willing to keep, might be the reasons for doing what he did,
took Ishbosheth the son of Saul - and who seems to be his only son left, except what he had by his concubine. This man's name is Eshbaal in 1Ch_8:33. Baal is the name of a shameful idol, and which was therefore sometimes called Bosheth, "shame". See Hos_9:10; wherefore such names of men, which had Baal in them, were changed for Besheth or Bosheth, as the names of Jerubbaal and Meribbaal, who were called Jerubbesheth and Mephibosheth. This prince was so called from his imbecility.
took Ishbosheth the son of Saul - The latter of these, a son of Jonathan, bid fairest for the crown by lineal succession, but he being but five years of age, and lame, this man Abner judged fittest for his purpose; and though he knew it was the will of God, and he had sworn that David should be king, yet so blind and obstinate was his ambition, that he set up another against him:
brought him over to Mahanaim - a city on the other side Jordan , in the tribe of Gad, on the border of the half tribe of Manasseh; see Jos_13:26; From 2Sa_2:12 it would seem to have been Ish-bosheth’s capital.
Abner--was first cousin of Saul, commander of the forces, and held in high respect throughout the country. Loyalty to the house of his late master was mixed up with opposition to David and views of personal ambition in his originating this factious movement. He, too, was alive to the importance of securing the eastern tribes; so, taking Ish-bosheth across the Jordan, he proclaimed him king at Mahanaim, a town on the north bank of the Jabbok, hallowed in patriarchal times by the divine presence (Gen_32:2). There he rallied the tribes around the standard of the unfortunate son of Saul.
The nation in general refused David. By this the Lord trained up his servant for future honor and usefulness; and the tendency of true godliness was shown in his behavior while passing through various difficulties. David was herein a type of Christ, whom Israel would not submit to, though anointed of the Father to be a Prince and a Savior to them.
2Sa 2:9 And made him king over Gilead, and over the Ashurites, and over Jezreel, and over Ephraim, and over Benjamin, and over all Israel.
The Ashurites - Who the Ashurites were is not generally agreed; probably men of the tribe of Ashur. If the tribe of Asher, the verse indicates the order in which Abner recovered the different districts from the Philistines, and added them to the dominions of Ish-bosheth, beginning with Gilead, and then gradually adding, on the west of Jordan, first the territory of Asher as far as Carmel and the whole plain of Esdraelon, and then the country of Ephraim and Benjamin, being in fact all Israel, as distinguished from Judah; and this reconquest may have occupied five years. Ish-bosheth’s reign over Israel may not have been reckoned to begin until the conquest was complete.
Made him king over Gilead - These were places beyond Jordan, and included the tribes of Gad and Reuben, and the half tribe of Manasseh; for as the Philistines had lately routed the Israelites, they were no doubt in possession of some of the principal towns, and were now enjoying the fruits of their victory. Abner was possibly afraid to bring the new king to any place where he was likely to meet with much resistance, till he had got his army well recruited.
over Jezreel - the great plain which went along the borders of Zebulun, Issachar, and Naphtali, and included these tribes:
and over all Israel - excepting the tribe 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, 1Sa_24:21 And swear therefore to me before the LORD that you will not cut off my seed after me, and that you will not destroy my name out of my father's house.
and over all Israel - David neither could nor would force matters. He was content to wait God's time and studiously avoided any collision with the rival king, till, at the lapse of two years, hostilities were threatened from that quarter.
2Sa 2:10 Ishbosheth Saul's son was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed David.
Ishbosheth reigned two years - Since David reigned seven years in Hebron over Judah only, it follows, either that an interval of five years elapsed between Ishbosheth’s death and David’s being anointed “king over all Israel ,” or that a like interval elapsed between Saul’s death and the commencement of Ishbosheth’s reign. Of the two the latter is the more probable.
Ishbosheth reigned two years - It is well observed that Ishbosheth reigned all the time that David reigned in Hebron , which was seven years and six months. Perhaps the meaning of the writer is this: Ish-bosheth reigned two years before any but the tribe of Judah had attached themselves to the interest of David. Some think that Abner in effect reigned the last five years of Ish-bosheth, who had only the name of king after the first two years. Or the text may be understood thus: When Ishbosheth had reigned two years over Israel , he was forty years of age. Ishbosheth had reigned two years without any rupture with David or his men, till under the direction of Abner, captain of his host, the Israelites passed over Jordan , from Mahanaim to Gibeon , and being opposed by Joab, captain of David’s host, that battle took place which is described in the following verses.
and reigned two years - which some understand of these, and no more; and whereas David reigned seven years and a half over Judah, before he reigned over all Israel, it is thought by the Jewish chronologer that there was a vacancy in the throne of Israel for the space of five years; which vacancy was either before the reign of Ishbosheth, or after his death; the tribes of Israel being so long before they acknowledged David their king; or Ishbosheth's reign of two years must be in the middle of David's reign over Judah; but there is no need to suppose either of these, for the text says not that Ishbosheth reigned only two years; but the meaning is that he had reigned two years when the following things happened, a war began by Abner, and carried on by him; and he being an inactive prince, the rest of his reign was reckoned as no reign, whereas he lived and reigned the same length of time David did over Judah ;
Two years - Namely, before the following war broke out, which continued five years. The opinion that the two years of Ishbosheth's reign are to be reckoned up to the time of the war with David, because Abner played the principal part during the other five years and a half that David continued to reign at Hebron, is equally untenable.
was forty years old - Being born the same year his father began to reign.
2Sa 2:11 And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.
seven years and six months - to which being added thirty three years he reigned over all Israel in Jerusalem , made forty years and six months; and which, for the roundness of the number, is usually called forty years.
2Sa 2:12 And Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.
Went to Gibeon - This expedition to Gibeon may have been for the purpose of shifting his metropolis to his own tribe of Benjamin, and to his family place, “Gibeah of Saul,” close to Gibeon , with the further purpose of attacking the kingdom of David . When Abner had brought all Israel under the dominion of Ishbosheth, he also sought to make Judah subject to him, and went with this intention from Mahanaim to Gibeon , taking with him the servants, i.e., the fighting men, of Ishbosheth.
the servants of Ishbosheth - who seem to be not only his domestic servants, that waited upon him, or his courtiers, but his whole army by what follows:
Went out - To fight with David's army, and to bring back the rest of the kingdom to Saul's house. “To go out” is a phrase for going out to war 1Sa_18:30.
2Sa 2:13 And Joab the son of Zeruiah, and the servants of David, went out, and met together by the pool of Gibeon: and they sat down, the one on the one side of the pool, and the other on the other side of the pool.
Joab the son of Zeruiah - A sister of David, and this her son was general of David's army:
the servants of David went out - that is, his army went out from Hebron to Gibeon; for though he had but one tribe with him, and Ishbosheth had all the rest, yet Judah was a numerous, powerful, and warlike tribe; and besides many out of the other tribes had joined them, and, above all, God was on their side, and they had his promise to rely upon with respect to the establishment of the kingdom in the house of David, and his power and providence to trust in, and therefore went out boldly and cheerfully to meet the armies of Israel under Abner:
the pool of Gibeon - the same perhaps with the great waters in Gibeon , Jer_41:12,
they sat down, the one on the one side of the pool, and the other on the other side of the pool - That is, met the opposite army, and put themselves in a posture for battle, facing one another, and watching each other's motions.
2Sa 2:14 And Abner said to Joab, Let the young men now arise, and play before us. And Joab said, Let them arise.
Play before us --Some think that the proposal was only for an exhibition of a little tilting match for diversion. 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. This fight by championship instead of terminating the matter, inflamed the fiercest passions of the two rival parties; a general engagement ensued, in which Abner and his forces were defeated and put to flight.
Play before us --Abner then proposed to Joab that the contest should be decided by a single combat, probably for the purpose of avoiding an actual civil war. As Joab accepted this proposal, twelve young warriors for Benjamin and Ishbosheth, and twelve from David's men went out of the two camps to the appointed scene of conflict; “and one seized the other's head, and his sword was (immediately) in the side of the other (his antagonist), so that they fell together.” Sending the sword into the opponent's side is thus described as simultaneous with the seizure of his head. This was a sign that the young men on both sides fought with great ferocity, and also with great courage.
Play before us - Here, the word is applied to the serious game of war, to be played by twelve combatants on each side, with the two armies for spectators. This was diabolical play, where each man thrust his sword into the body of the other, so that the twenty-four (twelve on each side) fell down dead together! But this was the signal for that sanguinary skirmish which immediately took place.
Play before us - that it might appear who were best skilled in the use of the sword, and who were the bravest, stoutest, and most courageous; and this he proposed in a way of bravado, and in order to bring on a battle, or to decide the quarrel between them; and this bloody barbarous exercise Abner calls play, as if it was a diversion and pastime to see men wounding and killing one another:
Play before us - That is, show their prowess and dexterity in fighting together. He speaks like a vainglorious and cruel man, and a soldier of fortune, that esteemed it a sport to see men wounding and killing one another. So this he designed, partly for their mutual recreation and trial of skill; and partly, that by this occasion they might be engaged in a battle.
2Sa 2:15 Then there arose and went over by number twelve of Benjamin, which pertained to Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and twelve of the servants of David.
2Sa 2:16 And they caught every one his fellow by the head, and thrust his sword in his fellow's side; so they fell down together: wherefore that place was called Helkathhazzurim, which is in Gibeon.
Helkath-hazzurim - “The portion of the mighty;” or, “The inheritance of those who were slain,” according to the Targum.
Helkathhazzurim - the field of rocks, or of mighty men as strong as rocks, who stood as immovable, and would not give way, but fell and died in the field of battle; the Targum interprets it, the inheritance of the slain.
Caught every one his fellow by the head - Probably by the beard, if these persons were not too young to have one, or by the hair of the head.
2Sa 2:17 And there was a very sore battle that day; and Abner was beaten, and the men of Israel, before the servants of David.
there was a very sore battle that day - Neither side had the advantage in the combat of twelve a side; hence, the quarrel was fought out with great fierceness by the two armies, and the victory was won by David.
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:
2Sa 2:18 And there were three sons of Zeruiah there, Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel: and Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe.
Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe - To be swift of foot was deemed a great accomplishment in the heroes of antiquity;
Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe - swiftness of foot, as well as courage, for which this man was famous, 1Ch_11:26 And the mighty ones of the army: Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem; was a very great qualification for a warrior.
Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel - 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, 1Sa_26:6 And David answered and said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, the brother of Joab, saying, Who will go down with me to the camp to Saul? And Abishai said, I will go down with you; 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.
a wild roe - The word denotes the gazelle or antelope
2Sa 2:19 And Asahel pursued after Abner; and in going he turned not to the right hand nor to the left from following Abner.
Asahel pursued after Abner - Ambitious of the glory of taking or slaying the general of the army of Israel ; 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:
Asahel pursued after Abner--To gain the general's armor was deemed the grandest trophy. Asahel, ambitious of securing Abner's, had outstripped all other pursuers, and was fast gaining on the retreating commander. Abner, conscious of possessing more physical power, and unwilling that there should be "blood" between himself and Joab, Asahel's brother, twice urged him to desist. The impetuous young soldier being deaf to the generous remonstrance, the veteran raised the pointed butt of his lance and with a sudden back thrust, transfixed him on the spot, so that he fell, and lay weltering in his blood.
not to the right hand nor to the left - he kept his eye upon him, and pursued him closely, disregarding persons on the right or left he could have made prisoners; but those he neglected, being bent on taking Abner if possible.
2Sa 2:20 Then Abner looked behind him, and said, Art thou Asahel? And he answered, I am.
he answered - so that they were very near to each other, as to discourse together, and be heard and understood by each other.
2Sa 2:21 And Abner said to him, Turn thee aside to thy right hand or to thy left, and lay thee hold on one of the young men, and take thee his armour. But Asahel would not turn aside from following of him.
His armour – content thyself with the spoil of some inferior soldier for a trophy.
Take thee his armor - It seems Asahel wished to get the armor of Abner as a trophy; this also was greatly coveted by ancient heroes. Abner wished to spare him, for fear of exciting Joab’s enmity; but as Asahel was obstinate in the pursuit, and was swifter of foot than Abner, the latter saw that he must either kill or be killed, and therefore he turned his spear and ran it through the body of Asahel. This slaying of Asahel cost Abner his life, as we shall find in the next chapter.
turn thee aside to thy right or to thy left - he does not advise him to go back, which would have been to his disgrace, having engaged in the pursuit, but to turn to the right or left, as if pursuing some other person and not Abner:
lay thee hold on one of the young men - one of the common soldiers, or an attendant on Abner, a young man like himself, whom he might be able to cope with, and take him a prisoner and disarm him, when he was not a match for such an old experienced officer as he was; and this Abner seems to speak as a friend, consulting the young man's safety and his honour too.
Asahel would not turn aside - fired with the ambition of taking him, and not content with any prey short of him; and perhaps was the more animated by what he said, supposing it arose from fear of him.
2Sa 2:22 And Abner said again to Asahel, Turn thee aside from following me: wherefore should I smite thee to the ground? how then should I hold up my face to Joab thy brother?
And Abner said again to Asahel - Being loath to dispatch him:
wherefore should I smite thee to the ground - which was giving him fair warning, and letting him know what he must expect, if he did not desist from his pursuit:
how should I hold up my face to Joab - should he slay his brother, he would never be friendly with him, or look pleasantly on him; he would never forgive him, but seek ways and means to avenge his blood on him and by this it seems as if Abner was conscious to himself that he was in a wrong cause, that the kingdom was of right David's, and would be his, and he must be obliged to make peace with him; .
2Sa 2:23 Howbeit he refused to turn aside: wherefore Abner with the hinder end of the spear smote him under the fifth rib, that the spear came out behind him; and he fell down there, and died in the same place: and it came to pass, that as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died stood still.
With the hinder end - the wooden end, which was more or less pointed to enable the owner to stick it in the ground
The fifth rib - The word so rendered here means the abdomen, and is not etymologically connected with the Hebrew for five, as the translation “fifth rib” supposes, but with a verb meaning to be fat, or strong.
smote him under the fifth rib - the place where hang the gall bladder and liver, as the Jewish commentators from their Talmud observe. There are twelve ribs, seven of which are called true ones, and five spurious; if this was the fifth of the seven, the spear must pierce the breast (k), and strike the seat of life, the heart and lungs; if the fifth from the eighth and first of the spurious ones, then it must pass to the vital bowels of the abdomen, which seems to be the case here: according to some this is meant of the inferior ribs, which we call the short ribs (also called floating ribs since they do not connect to the sternum), and any of these five are called the fifth rib; and Abner might have struck him in the right side, because he was behind him, and which stroke must be deadly, because he struck him through the liver:
as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died stood still - that is, such of David's men who were in the pursuit after the Israelites, when they came to the spot, and saw Asahel dead, they had no power to proceed in the pursuit, being so troubled and grieved at the death of him.
2Sa 2:24 Joab also and Abishai pursued after Abner: and the sun went down when they were come to the hill of Ammah, that lieth before Giah by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon.
Ammah and Giah - Local, and otherwise unknown names.
Joab and Abishai pursued after Abner - They stood not still as the rest, but, filled with indignation and resentment, pursued after Abner, to be avenged on him:
2Sa 2:25 And the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together after Abner, and became one troop, and stood on the top of an hill.
the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together -Either those that were with him before, who upon the battle were dispersed, but now got together again; or others of that tribe, who, hearing of the defeat of Abner, went out of the several cities after him, to strengthen his hands, and renew the fight with Joab:
stood on the top of an hill - which was some advantage to them, and from whence they could take a view of Joab's army, and observe its motions.
2Sa 2:26 Then Abner called to Joab, and said, Shall the sword devour for ever? knowest thou not that it will be bitterness in the latter end? how long shall it be then, ere thou bid the people return from following their brethren?
Then Abner called to Joab - For having now a troop of men with him, he could stop with the greater safety; and being on an hill, and perhaps Joab on one opposite to him, could call to him, so as to be heard:
shall the sword devour for ever - slay men, and devour their blood. That he was not thoughtful of, nor concerned about, when he set the young men to fighting before the battle, and called it play to wound and shed the blood of each other; but now the battle going against him, he complains of the devouring sword; and though it had been employed but a few hours, it seemed long to him, a sort of an eternity:
following their brethren - he pleads relation, that the men of Israel and the men of Judah were brethren; so they were by nation and religion, and therefore should not pursue one another to destruction; but who was the aggressor? It was Abner, that brought his forces against Judah ; the men of David acted only on the defensive.
2Sa 2:27 And Joab said, As God liveth, unless thou hadst spoken, surely then in the morning the people had gone up every one from following his brother.
Unless thou hadst spoken - Joab’s speech could be taken one of two ways. First it could mean that if Abner had not provoked the battle, Joab would not have attacked the Israelites that day; as his orders were probably to act on the defensive. Thus Joab threw all the blame of the fight upon Abner, because he had been the instigator of the single combat; and as that was not decisive, and was so bloody in its character, the two armies had felt obliged to fight it out. Second it could mean that if Abner had not spoken now, then there would have been further bloodshed as they continued their pursuit. Jewish and Christian commentators tend towards the first view.
as God liveth - Which was the form of an oath, swearing by the living God:
2Sa 2:28 So Joab blew a trumpet, and all the people stood still, and pursued after Israel no more, neither fought they any more.
pursued after Israel no more - as soon as they heard the trumpet sound, the meaning of which they understood, they stepped at once, and left off their pursuit:
neither fought they any more - that day, and perhaps no pitched battle afterwards; though the war continued after this a long time, and there might be skirmishes, which greatly weakened Abner's party.
2Sa 2:29 And Abner and his men walked all that night through the plain, and passed over Jordan, and went through all Bithron, and they came to Mahanaim.
Through all Bithron - Bithron is unknown. From the expression all (the) Bithron, it seems likely that it is a tract of country, intersected by ravines lying on the east side of Jordan . Other versions say “all the forenoon” or “all the morning”. The Septuagint reads “through the adjacent country” 2Sa 2:29 Abner and his men then went through the Arabah all that night; so they crossed the Jordan, walked all morning, and came to Mahanaim. (NASB) 2Sa 2:29 And Abner and his men went all that night through the plain and passed over Jordan, and went all the forenoon and came to Mahanaim. (MKJV) 2Sa 2:29 And Abner and his men went all that night through the Arabah. They crossed the Jordan, and marching the whole morning, they came to Mahanaim. (ESV) 2 Sam 2:29 And Abenner and his men departed at evening, [and went] all that night, and crossed over Jordan, and went along the whole adjacent [country], and they come to the camp. (Septuagint)
They came to Mahanaim - So they returned to the place whence they set out. This was the commencement of the civil wars between Israel and Judah , and properly the commencement of the division of the two kingdoms, through which both nations were deluged with blood.
Abner and his men walked all that night - Through the plain of Jordan. He marched with his men all night, lest Joab should return, and pursue him, and take vengeance on him for the death of his brother:
2Sa 2:30 And Joab returned from following Abner: and when he had gathered all the people together, there lacked of David's servants nineteen men and Asahel.
2Sa 2:31 But the servants of David had smitten of Benjamin, and of Abner's men, so that three hundred and threescore men died.
of Benjamin, and Abner's men - Of those of the tribe of Benjamin that joined him, and of those that he brought with him from Mahanaim;
three hundred and threescore men died - the number of the slain on each side was very unequal. The slain of Israel , though greatly exceeding those of Judah , were not great.
three hundred and threescore men died - Nineteen of Joab’s soldiers were missing besides Asahel, all of whom had fallen in the battle. But they had slain as many as three hundred and sixty of Benjamin and of Abner's men. This striking disproportion in the numbers may be accounted for from the fact that in Joab's army there were none but brave and well-tried men, who had gathered round David a long time before; whereas in Abner's army there were only the remnants of the Israelites who had been beaten upon Gilboa, and who had been still further weakened and depressed by their attempts to recover the land which was occupied by the Philistines.
2Sa 2:32 And they took up Asahel, and buried him in the sepulchre of his father, which was in Bethlehem. And Joab and his men went all night, and they came to Hebron at break of day.
They came to Hebron - Hebron would be about 14 miles from Bethlehem , or about five hours’ march.
the sepulchre of his father - not in the city of Bethlehem, but without it, on the south side of it; What was his father's name is not known, only his mother's name, Zeruiah, is mentioned in Scripture, a sister of David, and daughter of Jesse.
Joab and his men went all night - not the night following the battle, but the night following the next day, after he had been to Bethlehem, and buried his brother there; wherefore, lest David should think it long before he came, he travelled all night:
