Chapter 3:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 Samuel 1 Kings
2 Samuel 3
Concise Complete
David's power increases His family. (1-6) Abner revolts
to David. (7-21) Joab kills Abner David mourns for him. (22-39)
Verses 1-6 The
length of this war tried the faith and patience of David, and made his
settlement at last the more welcome. The contest between grace and corruption in
the hearts of believers, may fitly be compared to this warfare. There is a long
war between them, the flesh lusting against the spirit, and the spirit against
the flesh; but as the work of holiness is carried on, corruption, like the house
of Saul, grows weaker and weaker; while grace, like the house of David, grows
stronger and stronger.
Verses 7-21
Many, like Abner, are not above committing base crimes, who are too proud to
bear reproof, or even the suspicion of being guilty. While men go on in sin, and
apparently without concern, they are often conscious that they are fighting
against God. Many mean to serve their own purposes; and will betray those who
trust them, when they can get any advantage. Yet the Lord serves his own
designs, even by those who are thus actuated by revenge, ambition, or lust; but
as they intend not to honour him, in the end they will be thrown aside with
contempt. There was real generosity both to Michal and to the memory of Saul, in
David's receiving the former, remembering probably how once he owed his life to
her affection, and knowing that she was separated from him partly by her
father's authority. Let no man set his heart on that which he is not entitled
to. If any disagreement has separated husband and wife, as they expect the
blessing of God, let them be reconciled, and live together in love.
Verses 22-39
Judgments are prepared for such scorners as Abner; but Joab, in what he did,
acted wickedly. David laid Abner's murder deeply to heart, and in many ways
expressed his detestation of it. The guilt of blood brings a curse upon
families: if men do not avenge it, God will. It is a sad thing to die like a
fool, as they do that any way shorten their own days, and those who make no
provision for another world. Who would be fond of power, when a man may have the
name of it, and must be accountable for it, yet is hampered in the use of it?
David ought to have done his duty, and then trusted God with the issue. Carnal
policy spared Joab. The Son of David may long delay, but never fails to punish
impenitent sinners. He who now reigns upon the throne of David, has a kingdom of
a nobler kind. Whatever He doeth, is noticed by all his willing people, and is
pleasing to them.
Chapter 3:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 Samuel 1 Kings
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
