Bible Commentaries
2 Samuel 2

Verses 1-32

2 Samuel 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;

2 Samuel 2:8 Word Study on “Ishbosheth” PTW says the name “Ishbosheth” means, “man of shame.”

2 Samuel 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.

2 Samuel 2:16 Word Study on “Helkathhazzurim” Gesenius says the Hebrew name “Helkathhazzurim” (H2521) means, “the field of swords.” Strong says it means, “smoothness of the rocks.” PTW says it means, “field of rock.”

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.

2 Samuel 2:23 “wherefore Abner with the hinder end of the spear smote him under the fifth rib” Comments - If you put a sword under the fifth rib counting from the top of the rib cage, its cuts all the main arteries and veins attached to heart. If you count from bottom of the rib cage upward, it pierces underneath into the heart.

2 Samuel 3:27, “And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth rib, that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.”

2 Samuel 4:6, “And they came thither into the midst of the house, as though they would have fetched wheat; and they smote him under the fifth rib: and Rechab and Baanah his brother escaped.”