Bible Commentaries
2 Samuel 20

Introduction

Overview

2 Samuel 20:1, By occasion of the quarrel, Sheba makes a party in Israel; 2 Samuel 20:3, David’s ten concubines are put in confinement for life; 2 Samuel 20:4, Amasa, made captain over Judah, is slain by Joab; 2 Samuel 20:14, Joab pursues Sheba unto Abel; 2 Samuel 20:16, A wise woman saves the city by Sheba’s head; 2 Samuel 20:23, David’s officers.

Verse 1

And there: 2 Samuel 19:41-43, Psalms 34:19

a man: 2 Samuel 23:6, Deuteronomy 13:13, Judges 19:22, 1 Samuel 2:12, 1 Samuel 30:22, Psalms 17:13, Proverbs 26:21, Habakkuk 1:12, Habakkuk 1:13

he blew: 2 Samuel 15:10, Judges 3:27, Proverbs 24:21, Proverbs 24:22, Proverbs 25:8

We have: 2 Samuel 19:43, 1 Kings 12:16, 2 Chronicles 10:6, Luke 19:14, Luke 19:27

Reciprocal: Joshua 22:25 - ye have Judges 9:28 - Who is Abimelech Judges 20:13 - children of Belial 1 Samuel 4:10 - every man 1 Samuel 10:27 - children 1 Samuel 13:3 - blew 1 Samuel 22:7 - the son of Jesse 1 Samuel 25:10 - Who is David 2 Samuel 3:12 - Whose 2 Samuel 20:21 - a man 2 Samuel 20:22 - he blew 2 Samuel 22:44 - delivered 2 Chronicles 10:16 - What portion Psalms 5:6 - the bloody Proverbs 11:11 - it Proverbs 15:18 - wrathful Proverbs 16:27 - An ungodly man Proverbs 17:11 - General Proverbs 17:14 - beginning Ecclesiastes 9:18 - sinner Ecclesiastes 10:13 - beginning Nahum 1:11 - wicked counsellor Mark 3:24 - General Ephesians 4:31 - clamour James 3:6 - the tongue 2 Peter 2:10 - despise

Verse 2

every man: 2 Samuel 19:41, Psalms 62:9, Psalms 118:8-10, Proverbs 17:14

the men: John 6:66-68, Acts 11:23

from Jordan: 2 Samuel 19:15, 2 Samuel 19:40, 2 Samuel 19:41, 2 Chronicles 10:17

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 3:12 - my hand 2 Samuel 22:44 - delivered Psalms 53:3 - Every Ecclesiastes 9:18 - sinner Ephesians 4:31 - clamour

Verse 3

ten women: 2 Samuel 15:16, 2 Samuel 16:21, 2 Samuel 16:22

and put: The confinement and retired maintenance of these women was the only measure which in justice and prudence could be adopted. In China, when an emperor dies, all his women are removed to an edifice called the palace of chastity, situated within the palace, in which they are shut up for the remainder of their lives.

ward: Heb. an house of ward, Genesis 40:3

shut: Heb. bound

living in widowhood: Heb. in widowhood of life

Reciprocal: Genesis 35:22 - lay with Genesis 38:26 - And he knew Judges 19:1 - a concubine Psalms 30:1 - at the 1 Corinthians 5:1 - that one

Verse 4

Amasa: 2 Samuel 17:25, 2 Samuel 19:13, 1 Chronicles 2:17

Assemble: Heb. Call

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 20:8 - Amasa 2 Samuel 20:11 - for David 1 Chronicles 12:18 - came upon Amasai

Verse 5

So Amasa: 2 Samuel 19:13

tarried: 1 Samuel 13:8

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 20:35 - at the time 2 Samuel 20:8 - Amasa

Verse 6

Abishai: 2 Samuel 2:18, 2 Samuel 3:30, 2 Samuel 3:39, 2 Samuel 10:9, 2 Samuel 10:10, 2 Samuel 10:14, 2 Samuel 18:2, 2 Samuel 18:12, 2 Samuel 21:17, 2 Samuel 23:18, 1 Samuel 26:6, 1 Chronicles 11:20, 1 Chronicles 18:12

do us: 2 Samuel 19:7

thy lord's: 2 Samuel 11:11, 1 Kings 1:33

escape us: Heb. deliver himself from our eyes

Reciprocal: Joshua 10:19 - suffer them Joshua 10:20 - fenced cities 2 Samuel 19:43 - We have 2 Samuel 20:11 - He that Jeremiah 8:14 - enter Mark 3:24 - General

Verse 7

2 Samuel 20:23, 2 Samuel 8:16, 2 Samuel 8:18, 2 Samuel 15:18, 2 Samuel 23:22, 2 Samuel 23:23, 1 Kings 1:38, 1 Kings 1:44

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 20:11 - He that 1 Chronicles 18:17 - Benaiah

Verse 8

in Gibeon: 2 Samuel 2:13, 2 Samuel 3:30

Amasa: 2 Samuel 20:4, 2 Samuel 20:5

Reciprocal: Hosea 6:8 - polluted with blood

Verse 9

Art thou: Psalms 55:21, Proverbs 26:24-26, Micah 7:2

took Amasa: Thevenot says, that among the Turks it is a great affront to take one by the beard, unless it be to kiss him, in which case they often do it. D'Arvieux, describing an assembly of Arab emirs at an entertainment, says, "After the usual civilities, caresses, kissings of the beard, and of the hand, which every one gave and received according to his rank and dignity, they sat down upon mats." The doing this by the Arab emirs corresponds with the conduct of Joab, and illustrates this horrid assassination.

to kiss him: Matthew 26:48, Matthew 26:49, Luke 22:47, Luke 22:48

Reciprocal: Genesis 4:8 - talked Genesis 24:14 - thereby Genesis 29:6 - Is he well Exodus 21:14 - slay Deuteronomy 27:24 - General 2 Samuel 3:27 - took him 2 Samuel 11:16 - he assigned 2 Samuel 13:26 - let my brother 2 Samuel 17:25 - Amasa 2 Samuel 20:10 - in Joab's 1 Chronicles 21:6 - Joab Nehemiah 6:2 - Come Psalms 55:23 - bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days Proverbs 10:18 - that hideth Proverbs 26:23 - General Proverbs 27:6 - the kisses Jeremiah 9:8 - one Jeremiah 41:1 - they did Mark 14:44 - Whomsoever Luke 6:41 - but Romans 12:9 - love

Verse 10

in Joab's: 2 Samuel 20:9, Judges 3:21, 1 Chronicles 12:2

he smote: 2 Samuel 2:23, 2 Samuel 3:27, Genesis 4:8, 1 Kings 2:5, 1 Kings 2:6, 1 Kings 2:31-34

and shed: Acts 1:18, Acts 1:19

struck him not again: Heb. doubled not his stroke, 1 Samuel 26:8

Reciprocal: Exodus 21:14 - slay Numbers 35:20 - if he thrust Deuteronomy 27:24 - General 2 Samuel 4:6 - under 2 Samuel 11:16 - he assigned 2 Samuel 20:20 - that I should 2 Samuel 23:18 - Abishai 1 Kings 2:32 - two men 1 Chronicles 21:6 - Joab Psalms 55:23 - bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days Proverbs 10:18 - that hideth Proverbs 26:23 - General Proverbs 27:6 - the kisses Jeremiah 9:8 - one Jeremiah 41:1 - they did Hosea 11:9 - return Nahum 1:9 - he Matthew 26:48 - Whomsoever Mark 14:44 - Whomsoever Luke 6:41 - but Luke 22:48 - betrayest Romans 12:9 - love

Verse 11

He that: 2 Samuel 20:6, 2 Samuel 20:7, 2 Samuel 20:13, 2 Samuel 20:21

for David: 2 Samuel 20:4, 2 Kings 9:32

Reciprocal: Exodus 32:26 - Who is on

Verse 12

2 Samuel 17:25, Psalms 9:16, Psalms 55:23, Proverbs 24:21, Proverbs 24:22

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 2:23 - stood still 2 Samuel 20:13 - the highway

Verse 13

the highway: 2 Samuel 20:12, 2 Samuel 20:13, Numbers 20:19, Judges 21:19, 1 Samuel 6:12, 2 Kings 18:17, Proverbs 16:17, Isaiah 7:3, Isaiah 36:2, Isaiah 62:10, Jeremiah 31:21, Mark 10:46

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 2:23 - stood still 2 Samuel 20:11 - He that

Verse 14

Abel: Or rather, probably, Abel of Beth-Maachah, as in the next verse. It appears, from Joab having marched "through all the tribes of Israel," to have been situated in the northern confines of the land of Israel, and in the half tribe of Manasseh, east of Jordan, as that was the situation of Maachah, to which it belonged. This agrees with the situation of the Abila which Eusebius and Jerome place between Paneas, or Cesarea Philippi, and Damascus. Josephus says it was a fortified city, and a metropolis of the Israelites; and also that it belonged to the ten tribes, having been taken from the king of Damascus. 1 Kings 15:20, 2 Kings 15:29, 2 Chronicles 16:4

Berites: Joshua 18:25, Beeroth

Reciprocal: Judges 9:21 - Beer

Verse 15

cast up: 2 Kings 19:32, Jeremiah 32:24, Jeremiah 33:4, Luke 19:43

a bank: So LXX generally render solelah, by נסןףקשלב or קשלב; which latter is described by Potter as "a mount, which was raised so high as to equal, if not exceed, the top of the besieged walls. The sides were walled in with bricks or stones, or secured with strong rafters; the fore part only, being by degrees to be moved near the walls, remained bare."

it stood in the trench: or, it stood against the outmost wall

battered: etc. Heb. marred to throw down

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 15:20 - Dan 2 Kings 15:29 - Ijon Ecclesiastes 9:14 - There was Ezekiel 26:8 - he shall make

Verse 16

2 Samuel 14:2, 1 Samuel 25:3, 1 Samuel 25:32, 1 Samuel 25:33, Ecclesiastes 9:14-18

Reciprocal: Proverbs 11:16 - gracious Proverbs 21:22 - General Proverbs 31:26 - openeth Ecclesiastes 7:19 - General Daniel 2:14 - with

Verse 17

Hear the words: 2 Samuel 14:12, 1 Samuel 25:24

Verse 18

They were wont: etc. or, They plainly spake in the beginning, saying, Surely they will ask of Abel, and so make an end. Deuteronomy 20:10, Deuteronomy 20:11

Reciprocal: Matthew 5:21 - it

Verse 19

peaceable: Genesis 18:23, Romans 13:3, Romans 13:4, 1 Timothy 2:2

a mother: Judges 5:7, Ezekiel 16:45-49

swallow: 2 Samuel 17:16, Numbers 16:32, Numbers 26:10, Psalms 124:3, Jeremiah 51:34, Jeremiah 51:44, Lamentations 2:2, Lamentations 2:5, Lamentations 2:16, 1 Corinthians 15:54, 2 Corinthians 5:4

the inheritance: 2 Samuel 21:3, Exodus 19:5, Exodus 19:6, Deuteronomy 32:9, 1 Samuel 26:19

Reciprocal: Psalms 35:25 - We have Psalms 120:7 - for peace Micah 2:8 - securely Romans 12:18 - General 2 Corinthians 2:7 - swallowed

Verse 20

Far be it: 2 Samuel 23:17, Job 21:16, Job 22:18

that I should: 2 Samuel 20:10, Proverbs 28:13, Jeremiah 17:9, Luke 10:29

Reciprocal: Genesis 44:7 - General 2 Samuel 17:16 - be swallowed 1 Kings 1:38 - the Cherethites Job 2:3 - destroy him Luke 6:41 - but 2 Corinthians 2:7 - swallowed

Verse 21

a man: 2 Samuel 20:1, Judges 2:9, Judges 7:24, 2 Kings 5:22, Jeremiah 4:15, Jeremiah 50:19

by name: Heb. by his name

lifted: 2 Samuel 23:18, 1 Samuel 24:6, 1 Samuel 26:9

his head: 2 Samuel 17:2, 2 Samuel 17:3, 2 Kings 10:7, Judges 18:4-8

Reciprocal: Judges 4:9 - into Judges 9:53 - woman Judges 9:55 - General Judges 20:13 - deliver 2 Samuel 20:11 - He that 1 Kings 11:27 - lifted up Luke 6:41 - but

Verse 22

in her wisdom: Ecclesiastes 7:19, Ecclesiastes 9:14-18

he blew: 2 Samuel 20:1, 2 Samuel 2:28, 2 Samuel 18:16

retired: Heb. were scattered

And Joab: 2 Samuel 3:28-39, 2 Samuel 11:6-21, Ecclesiastes 8:11

Reciprocal: Judges 3:27 - he blew Judges 4:9 - into Judges 5:26 - she smote off Judges 9:55 - General Judges 20:13 - deliver 2 Samuel 22:44 - delivered Proverbs 17:11 - General

Verse 23

Now Joab: 2 Samuel 8:16-18, 1 Chronicles 18:15-17

and Benaiah: 2 Samuel 20:7

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 2:13 - Joab 2 Samuel 8:18 - the Cherethites 2 Samuel 15:18 - Cherethites 2 Samuel 23:20 - Benaiah 2 Samuel 23:23 - over his guard 2 Samuel 24:2 - Joab 1 Kings 1:7 - Joab 1 Kings 4:2 - the princes 1 Chronicles 11:6 - Joab 1 Chronicles 11:22 - Benaiah 1 Chronicles 11:25 - David 1 Chronicles 18:17 - Benaiah

Verse 24

Adoram: 1 Kings 4:6, 1 Kings 12:18

recorder: or, remembrancer, 1 Kings 4:3

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 18:18 - the recorder 2 Chronicles 34:8 - recorder Isaiah 36:3 - Shebna

Verse 25

Sheva: 2 Samuel 8:17, 1 Kings 4:4, 1 Chronicles 18:16, Shavsha

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 22:20 - one 2 Samuel 15:24 - Zadok 1 Kings 1:7 - Abiathar 1 Kings 1:8 - Zadok 1 Kings 4:3 - Shisha 2 Kings 12:10 - the king's 1 Chronicles 6:8 - Zadok 1 Chronicles 6:53 - Zadok 1 Chronicles 15:11 - Zadok 1 Chronicles 24:3 - Zadok Ezra 4:8 - scribe Isaiah 36:3 - Shebna Jeremiah 36:10 - the scribe Mark 2:26 - Abiathar

Verse 26

Ira: 2 Samuel 23:38, 1 Chronicles 11:40, Ithrite

Jairite: Judges 10:4, Judges 10:5

chief ruler: or, prince, 2 Samuel 8:18, Genesis 41:43, Genesis 41:45, Exodus 2:14, Exodus 2:16, The Hebrew is cohen ledawid, which might be rendered, a priest of David; and so the Septuagint, Vulgate, Syriac, and Arabic. The Chaldee has rav, a chief or prince. Probably he was a kind of domestic chaplain or seer to the king. 2 Samuel 24:11, 2 Chronicles 35:15

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 4:5 - the principal Psalms 132:1 - all his afflictions