2 Samuel 2
Warren Wiersbe · Citado em PreceptAustin
2 Samuel 2
Wiersbe points out that starting in chapter 2 we "begin those “political intrigues” that plagued David throughout all his life. Even though David sought the mind of God, he could not escape the plots and plans of others; and because he was indebted to these men, it was difficult for him to oppose them. David’s march to the throne was a difficult one." (Borrow Wiersbe's Expository Outlines on the Old Testament) That David inquired of the LORD - When David had left Israel and settled in the land of the Philistines, he had not inquired of the Lord. But now he does so. See times in First Samuel David inquired of the LORD - 1Sa 23:2-4+,1Sa 23:9-12+ 1Sa 30:7,8+. This is a good sign in David's heart. The king of Israel is dead, the Philistines are occupying the heartland of Israel, so it is a good time (it's always a good time) to seek the wisdom from Jehovah! Josephus, Antiq. 7.1.2, says he inquired of the prophet not by the sacred lots (which he clearly did in 1Sa 23:9+) and I tend to agree because it reads like a conversation between David and the LORD, not just a "Yes" or "No" answer. 1Sa 28:6+ gives three ways God spoke - "by dreams or by Urim or by prophets."
2 Samuel 2
Wiersbe reminds us that "While David was living in Ziklag, volunteers had come to him from the tribes of Benjamin, Gad, and Manasseh (1 Chron. 12:1–22), so he not only had a large and experienced army but also a representation from some of the other tribes. Before long, David would win the allegiance of all the nation of Israel." (Borrow Be Restored) 2 Samuel 2:4 Then the men of Judah came and there anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, "It was the men of Jabesh-gilead who buried Saul." the men of Judah: 2Sa 2:11 19:11,42 Ge 49:8-10 anointed: 2Sa 2:7 5:3,5,17 1Sa 16:13 1Ch 11:3 the men of Jabesh gilead: 1Sa 31:11-13 Related Passages: 1 Samuel 31:11-13+ Now when the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul (1Sa 31:8-10+), 12 all the valiant men rose and walked all night, and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Beth-shan, and they came to Jabesh and burned them there. 13 They took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree at Jabesh, and fasted seven days. Judges 9:6+ All the men of Shechem and all Beth-millo assembled together, and they went and made Abimelech king, by the oak of the pillar which was in Shechem. DAVID ANOINTED KING BY JUDAH Then - Then is a time phrase which marks progression in the narrative and the next significant event in the life of David.
2 Samuel 2
Wiersbe says "Abner had no special love for David!") against David because David had publicly humiliated (or at least chastised) him before Saul and all the soldiers in 1Sa 26:14-16+. Also the fact that Abner was Saul's nephew might contribute to his desire to see Saul's line continue in power. Finally Abner apparently knew that David already had a commander, so he had to wonder what would be his role if he went with David. Anderson - Saul’s dynasty is not to be replaced without a fight. So seven years of bloody civil war take place with rebellions, rival factions, assassinations, suspense and intrigue occur before the opposition is quelled and David rules as king over a united kingdom. His kingdom is set up by degrees. Wiersbe points out that "Most of what Abner did during those seven and a half years (OF DAVID'S REIGN) wasn’t for the glory of God or the strengthening of Israel, but for his own self-interest. He was taking care of number one." (Borrow Be Restored) Why was Ish-bosheth not killed? Clearly he did not go to war and one consideration is that Saul knew from Samuel's prophecy that he and his sons would die in battle (1Sa 28:19). He could keep one son out of the battle to ensure his line would continue in the monarchy. Note that Ish-bosheth was called Esh-Baal in 1Ch 8:33 which means "man of the Lord." However since "baal" was used for the Canaanite deity, his name was changed. Similarly Jonathan’s lame son, Mephibosheth, was originally called “Merib-Baal” (meanings include "Contend with baal," "quarreller of Baal" and was an epithet of Gideon) (1Ch 8:34). Abner (means "father of light") the son of Ner, commander of Saul's army, had taken Ish-bosheth ("man of shame") the son of Saul and brought him over to Mahanaim - Note that Abner’s father was Ner, his brother was Kish, and Saul his first cousin (1Sa 14:50) and he had been the commander of Saul's army (1Sa 14:50). Abner brought David to Saul after David killed Goliath (1Sa 17:55–58) and with Saul pursued David for ten years (1Sa 26:5ff). Abner was not showing loyalty to Saul as much as he was using this weak king as a front for his own ambitions (1Sa 3:11; 4:1). For location of Mahanaim see map above which shows the location on the eastern plain east of the Jordan River on the Jabbok River (border between Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh, cf. Josh. 13:26,30), near the city of Penuel. In this location East of the Jordan, it was a Levitical city of refuge and would be relatively safe from Philistine incursions and far enough away from David in Hebron. Mahanaim served in effect as the capital of "all Israel." Later David would flee to this same area when he ran from his son Absalom (cf. 2Sa 17:24).
2 Samuel 2
Wiersbe - Abner told him to turn aside and take what he wanted from one of the dead enemy soldiers. Then he warned Asahel that if he killed him, this would create a “blood feud” that could cause trouble for years to come. Abner knew Joab and had no desire to begin a possible lifelong family conflict. It was bad enough that Joab and Abner were rival generals. When Asahel refused to give up the chase, the clever Abner killed him by using one of the oldest tricks of the battlefield: he stopped suddenly and allowed Asahel to propel himself right into the end of spear. The butt end of a spear was often sharpened so the spear could be thrust into the ground and be ready for action (1 Sam. 26:7) (Borrow Be Restored)
2 Samuel 2
Wiersbe - Three murders will occur before David becomes king of all the people: Asahel’s (chap. 2), Abner’s (chap. 3) and Ishbosheth’s (chap. 4). All of that blood would not have been shed if the leaders had only submitted to God’s chosen king instead of seeking their own advantage. Joab and Asahel were related to David (1Ch 2:16), so there were both family and national considerations. Had everybody put the glory of God and the good of the nation first, tragedies would have been avoided..(Borrow With the Word) Spoil (02488)(chalitsah) means what is stripped off a person. Gilbrant adds that "This is derived from the verb chālats, “to draw off,” “to gird for fighting” or “to despoil.” It is attested in Middle Hebrew and Talmudic, with the sense of “to draw off.” In its OT contexts, the noun refers to equipment or outer clothing which is taken from slain soldiers as booty. The first context is the aftermath of Samson's riddle being revealed to the men of Timnah, as Samson satisfied the terms of the wager by killing and stripping a number of Philistines (Jdg. 14). The second OT appearance of the word is in the account of Abner's (the military leader of Ish-Bosheth's short-lived rule) attempt to get Asahel, the brother of Joab (David's military leader) to quit pursuing him (2Sa 2:21). He pleaded with him to turn aside, so he could kill and strip warriors. Instead, Abner killed Asahel, setting in motion his own death at the hand of the societal mechanism of blood vengeance (2Sa 3:6ff). The action implied by chălîtsāh curiously incorporates the two prime nuances of its verbal root, as one strips off the girding of someone prepared for war. 2 Samuel 2:22 Abner repeated again to Asahel, "Turn aside from following me. Why should I strike you to the ground? How then could I lift up my face to your brother Joab?" BGT 2 Samuel 2:22 καὶ προσέθετο ἔτι Αβεννηρ λέγων τῷ Ασαηλ ἀπόστηθι ἀπ᾽ ἐμοῦ ἵνα μὴ πατάξω σε εἰς τὴν γῆν καὶ πῶς ἀρῶ τὸ πρόσωπόν μου πρὸς Ιωαβ καὶ ποῦ ἐστιν ταῦτα ἐπίστρεφε πρὸς Ιωαβ τὸν ἀδελφόν σου LXE 2 Samuel 2:22 And Abenner said yet again to Asael, Stand aloof from me, lest I smite thee to the ground? and how should I lift up my face to Joab? KJV 2 Samuel 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? NET 2 Samuel 2:22 So Abner spoke again to Asahel, "Turn aside from following me! I do not want to strike you to the ground. How then could I show my face in the presence of Joab your brother?" CSB 2 Samuel 2:22 Once again, Abner warned Asahel, "Stop chasing me. Why should I strike you to the ground? How could I ever look your brother Joab in the face?" ESV 2 Samuel 2:22 And Abner said again to Asahel, "Turn aside from following me. Why should I strike you to the ground? How then could I lift up my face to your brother Joab?" NIV 2 Samuel 2:22 Again Abner warned Asahel, "Stop chasing me! Why should I strike you down? How could I look your brother Joab in the face?" NLT 2 Samuel 2:22 Again Abner shouted to him, "Get away from here! I don't want to kill you. How could I ever face your brother Joab again?" Why should I strike you: 2Ki 14:10-12 Pr 29:1 Ec 6:10 How then could: 2Sa 3:27 ABNER TRIES TO REASON WITH ASAHEL Abner repeated again to Asahel, "Turn aside from following me. Why should I strike you to the ground? How then could I lift up my face to your brother Joab - Abner wisely understood that if Asahel kept pursuing and he had to kill him, it would incite a "blood feud" with his surviving brother Joab seeking vengeance. 2 Samuel 2:23 However, he refused to turn aside; therefore Abner struck him in the belly with the butt end of the spear, so that the spear came out at his back. And he fell there and died on the spot. And it came about that all who came to the place where Asahel had fallen and died, stood still. BGT 2 Samuel 2:23 καὶ οὐκ ἐβούλετο τοῦ ἀποστῆναι καὶ τύπτει αὐτὸν Αβεννηρ ἐν τῷ ὀπίσω τοῦ δόρατος ἐπὶ τὴν ψόαν καὶ διεξῆλθεν τὸ δόρυ ἐκ τῶν ὀπίσω αὐτοῦ καὶ πίπτει ἐκεῖ καὶ ἀποθνῄσκει ὑποκάτω αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐγένετο πᾶς ὁ ἐρχόμενος ἕως τοῦ τόπου οὗ ἔπεσεν ἐκεῖ Ασαηλ καὶ ἀπέθανεν καὶ ὑφίστατο LXE 2 Samuel 2:23 And what does this mean? return to Joab thy brother? But he would not stand aloof; and Abenner smites him with the hinder end of the spear on the loins, and the spear went out behind him, and he falls there and dies on the spot: and it came to pass that every one that came to the place where Asael fell and died, stood still. KJV 2 Samuel 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. NET 2 Samuel 2:23 But Asahel refused to turn aside. So Abner struck him in the abdomen with the back end of his spear. The spear came out his back; Asahel collapsed on the spot and died there right before Abner. Everyone who now comes to the place where Asahel fell dead pauses in respect. CSB 2 Samuel 2:23 But Asahel refused to turn away, so Abner hit him in the stomach with the end of his spear. The spear went through his body, and he fell and died right there. When all who came to the place where Asahel had fallen and died, they stopped, ESV 2 Samuel 2:23 But he refused to turn aside. Therefore Abner struck him in the stomach with the butt of his spear, so that the spear came out at his back. And he fell there and died where he was. And all who came to the place where Asahel had fallen and died, stood still. NIV 2 Samuel 2:23 But Asahel refused to give up the pursuit; so Abner thrust the butt of his spear into Asahel's stomach, and the spear came out through his back. He fell there and died on the spot. And every man stopped when he came to the place where Asahel had fallen and died. NLT 2 Samuel 2:23 But Asahel refused to turn back, so Abner thrust the butt end of his spear through Asahel's stomach, and the spear came out through his back. He stumbled to the ground and died there. And everyone who came by that spot stopped and stood still when they saw Asahel lying there. the fifth rib: 2Sa 3:27 4:6 5:6 20:10 stood still: 2Sa 20:12,13 WHEN STUBBORNNESS RESULT IN YOUR DEATH! However, he refused to turn aside; therefore Abner struck him in the belly with the butt end of the spear, so that the spear came out at his back The butt end of the spear clearly was not blunt but pointed (as shown in the statue retrieved from that time) and this was so that spears might be stuck in the ground (1Sa 26:7). Anderson suggests "Being a skinny runner, Abner just stopped quickly and the butt end of his spear went right through Asahel’s stomach." Walton on butt end of the spear - Spears often were made with a metal casing on the butt end that was not honed to a point but was tapered down to a sharp edge. This could be used as a goad or to stick the spear in the ground. Many of these metal ends have been found in excavations and are portrayed on wall paintings (see page 325 IVP Background Commentary-OT) NIV Study Bible - Stabbing an enemy in the stomach was the method of execution noted also in 3:27; 4:6 (cf. Jdg 3:21). And he fell there and died on the spot. And it came about that all who came to the place where Asahel had fallen and died, stood still - Abner's killing of Joab's younger brother, Asahel caused a blood-feud that would threaten David's plan to unite kingdoms of Judah and Israel (cf. 2 Sa 3). Asahel’s son Zebadiah succeeded his father as commander of his division according to 1Ch 27:7. 2 Samuel 2:24 But Joab and Abishai pursued Abner, and when the sun was going down, they came to the hill of Ammah, which is in front of Giah by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon. BGT 2 Samuel 2:24 καὶ κατεδίωξεν Ιωαβ καὶ Αβεσσα ὀπίσω Αβεννηρ καὶ ὁ ἥλιος ἔδυνεν καὶ αὐτοὶ εἰσῆλθον ἕως τοῦ βουνοῦ Αμμαν ὅ ἐστιν ἐπὶ προσώπου γαι ὁδὸν ἔρημον Γαβαων LXE 2 Samuel 2:24 And Joab and Abessa pursued after Abenner, and the sun went down: and they went as far as the hill of Amman, which is in the front of Gai, by the desert way of Gabaon. KJV 2 Samuel 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. NET 2 Samuel 2:24 So Joab and Abishai chased Abner. At sunset they came to the hill of Ammah near Giah on the way to the wilderness of Gibeon. CSB 2 Samuel 2:24 but Joab and Abishai pursued Abner. By sunset, they had gone as far as the hill of Ammah, which is opposite Giah on the way to the wilderness of Gibeon. ESV 2 Samuel 2:24 But Joab and Abishai pursued Abner. And as the sun was going down they came to the hill of Ammah, which lies before Giah on the way to the wilderness of Gibeon. NIV 2 Samuel 2:24 But Joab and Abishai pursued Abner, and as the sun was setting, they came to the hill of Ammah, near Giah on the way to the wasteland of Gibeon. NLT 2 Samuel 2:24 When Joab and Abishai found out what had happened, they set out after Abner. The sun was just going down as they arrived at the hill of Ammah near Giah, along the road to the wilderness of Gibeon. THE BROTHERS OF ASAHEL PURSUE ABNER But Joab and Abishai pursued Abner - Their anguish turned to bitterness and anger and a strong desire to be the "blood avengers" of their brother's death. And so Asahel's brothers pursue Abner seeking revenge. The "Hatfield and McCoy" "blood feud" had begun and would continue for years. And when the sun was going down, they came to the hill of Ammah, which is in front of Giah by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon - This location cannot be identified with any degree of certainty. 2 Samuel 2:25 The sons of Benjamin gathered together behind Abner and became one band, and they stood on the top of a certain hill. BGT 2 Samuel 2:25 καὶ συναθροίζονται υἱοὶ Βενιαμιν οἱ ὀπίσω Αβεννηρ καὶ ἐγενήθησαν εἰς συνάντησιν μίαν καὶ ἔστησαν ἐπὶ κεφαλὴν βουνοῦ ἑνός LXE 2 Samuel 2:25 And the children of Benjamin who followed Abenner gather themselves together, and they formed themselves into one body, and stood on the top of a hill. KJV 2 Samuel 2:25 And the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together after Abner, and became one troop, and stood on the top of an hill. NET 2 Samuel 2:25 The Benjaminites formed their ranks behind Abner and were like a single army, standing at the top of a certain hill. CSB 2 Samuel 2:25 The Benjaminites rallied to Abner; they formed a single unit and took their stand on top of a hill. ESV 2 Samuel 2:25 And the people of Benjamin gathered themselves together behind Abner and became one group and took their stand on the top of a hill. NIV 2 Samuel 2:25 Then the men of Benjamin rallied behind Abner. They formed themselves into a group and took their stand on top of a hill. NLT 2 Samuel 2:25 Abner's troops from the tribe of Benjamin regrouped there at the top of the hill to take a stand. SONS OF BENJAMIN RESCUE ABNER The sons of Benjamin gathered together behind Abner and became one band, and they stood on the top of a certain hill - The sons of Benjamin came to Abner's rescue from the pursuit of Joab and Abishai. Matthew