2 Samuel 20
Overview
20:1 By occasion of the quarrel, Sheba makes a party in Israel;
20:3 David's ten concubines are put in confinement for life;
20:4 Amasa, made captain over Judah, is slain by Joab;
20:14 Joab pursues Sheba unto Abel;
20:16 A wise woman saves the city by Sheba's head;
20:23 David's officers. Verse 1And there2 Samuel 19:41-43; Psalm 34:19 a man2 Samuel 23:6; Deuteronomy 13:13; Judges 19:22; 1 Samuel 2:12, 30:22; Psalm 17:13; Proverbs 26:21; Habakkuk 1:12, 1:13 he blew2 Samuel 15:10; Judges 3:27; Proverbs 24:21, 24:22, 25:8 We have2 Samuel 19:43; 1 Kings 12:16; 2 Chronicles 10:6; Luke 19:14, 19:27ReciprocalJoshua 22:25 - ye have; Judges 9:28 - Who is Abimelech; 20:13 - children of Belial; 1 Samuel 4:10 - every man; 10:27 - children; 13:3 - blew; 22:7 - the son of Jesse; 25:10 - Who is David; 2 Samuel 3:12 - Whose; 20:21 - a man; 20:22 - he blew; 22:44 - delivered; 2 Chronicles 10:16 - What portion; Psalm 5:6 - the bloody; Proverbs 11:11 - it; 15:18 - wrathful; 16:27 - An ungodly man; 17:11 - General; 17:14 - beginning; Ecclesiastes 9:18 - sinner; 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 2every man2 Samuel 19:41; Psalm 62:9, 118:8-10; Proverbs 17:14 the menJohn 6:66-68; Acts 11:23 from Jordan2 Samuel 19:15, 19:40, 19:41; 2 Chronicles 10:17Reciprocal2 Samuel 3:12 - my hand; 22:44 - delivered; Psalm 53:3 - Every; Ecclesiastes 9:18 - sinner; Ephesians 4:31 - clamour Verse 3ten women2 Samuel 15:16, 16:21, 16:22 and putThe 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.wardHeb. an house of ward, Genesis 40:3 shutHeb. boundliving in widowhoodHeb. in widowhood of lifeReciprocal35:22 - lay with; 38:26 - And he knew; Judges 19:1 - a concubine; Psalm 30:1 - at the; 1 Corinthians 5:1 - that one Verse 4Amasa2 Samuel 17:25, 19:13; 1 Chronicles 2:17 AssembleHeb. CallReciprocal2 Samuel 20:8 - Amasa; 20:11 - for David; 1 Chronicles 12:18 - came upon Amasai Verse 5So Amasa2 Samuel 19:13 tarried1 Samuel 13:8Reciprocal20:35 - at the time; 2 Samuel 20:8 - Amasa Verse 6Abishai2 Samuel 2:18, 3:30, 3:39, 10:9, 10:10, 10:14, 18:2, 18:12, 21:17, 23:18; 1 Samuel 26:6; 1 Chronicles 11:20, 18:12 do us2 Samuel 19:7 thy lord's11:11; 1 Kings 1:33 escape usHeb. deliver himself from our eyesReciprocalJoshua 10:19 - suffer them; 10:20 - fenced cities; 2 Samuel 19:43 - We have; 20:11 - He that; Jeremiah 8:14 - enter; Mark 3:24 - General Verse 72 Samuel 20:23, 8:16, 8:18, 15:18, 23:22, 23:23; 1 Kings 1:38, 1:44Reciprocal2 Samuel 20:11 - He that; 1 Chronicles 18:17 - Benaiah Verse 8in Gibeon2 Samuel 2:13, 3:30 Amasa20:4, 20:5ReciprocalHosea 6:8 - polluted with blood Verse 9Art thouPsalm 55:21; Proverbs 26:24-26; Micah 7:2 took AmasaThevenot 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 himMatthew 26:48, 26:49; Luke 22:47, 22:48ReciprocalGenesis 4:8 - talked; 24:14 - thereby; 29:6 - Is he well; Exodus 21:14 - slay; Deuteronomy 27:24 - General; 2 Samuel 3:27 - took him; 11:16 - he assigned; 13:26 - let my brother; 17:25 - Amasa; 20:10 - in Joab's; 1 Chronicles 21:6 - Joab; Nehemiah 6:2 - Come; Psalm 55:23 - bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; Proverbs 10:18 - that hideth; 26:23 - General; 27:6 - the kisses; Jeremiah 9:8 - one; 41:1 - they did; Mark 14:44 - Whomsoever; Luke 6:41 - but; Romans 12:9 - love Verse 10in Joab's2 Samuel 20:9; Judges 3:21; 1 Chronicles 12:2 he smote2 Samuel 2:23, 3:27; Genesis 4:8; 1 Kings 2:5, 2:6, 2:31-34 and shedActs 1:18, 1:19 struck him not againHeb. doubled not his stroke, 1 Samuel 26:8ReciprocalExodus 21:14 - slay; Numbers 35:20 - if he thrust; Deuteronomy 27:24 - General; 2 Samuel 4:6 - under; 11:16 - he assigned; 20:20 - that I should; 23:18 - Abishai; 1 Kings 2:32 - two men; 1 Chronicles 21:6 - Joab; Psalm 55:23 - bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; Proverbs 10:18 - that hideth; 26:23 - General; 27:6 - the kisses; Jeremiah 9:8 - one; 41:1 - they did; Hosea 11:9 - return; Nahum 1:9 - he; Matthew 26:48 - Whomsoever; Mark 14:44 - Whomsoever; Luke 6:41 - but; 22:48 - betrayest; Romans 12:9 - love Verse 11He that2 Samuel 20:6, 20:7, 20:13, 20:21 for David20:4; 2 Kings 9:32ReciprocalExodus 32:26 - Who is on Verse 122 Samuel 17:25; Psalm 9:16, 55:23; Proverbs 24:21, 24:22Reciprocal2 Samuel 2:23 - stood still; 20:13 - the highway Verse 13the highway2 Samuel 20:12, 20:13; Numbers 20:19; Judges 21:19; 1 Samuel 6:12; 2 Kings 18:17; Proverbs 16:17; Isaiah 7:3; 36:2, 62:10; Jeremiah 31:21; Mark 10:46Reciprocal2 Samuel 2:23 - stood still; 20:11 - He that Verse 14AbelOr 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 BeritesJoshua 18:25, BeerothReciprocalJudges 9:21 - Beer Verse 15cast up2 Kings 19:32; Jeremiah 32:24, 33:4; Luke 19:43 a bankSo LXX generally render solelah, by προσχωμα or χωμα; 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 trenchor, it stood against the outmost wallbatteredetc. Heb. marred to throw downReciprocal1 Kings 15:20 - Dan; 2 Kings 15:29 - Ijon; Ecclesiastes 9:14 - There was; Ezekiel 26:8 - he shall make Verse 162 Samuel 14:2; 1 Samuel 25:3, 25:32, 25:33; Ecclesiastes 9:14-18ReciprocalProverbs 11:16 - gracious; 21:22 - General; 31:26 - openeth; Ecclesiastes 7:19 - General; Daniel 2:14 - with Verse 17Hear the words2 Samuel 14:12; 1 Samuel 25:24

Verse 18They were wontetc. or, They plainly spake in the beginning, saying, Surely they will ask of Abel, and so make an end. Deuteronomy 20:10, 20:11ReciprocalMatthew 5:21 - it Verse 19peaceableGenesis 18:23; Romans 13:3, 13:4; 1 Timothy 2:2 a motherJudges 5:7; Ezekiel 16:45-49 swallow2 Samuel 17:16; Numbers 16:32, 26:10; Psalm 124:3; Jeremiah 51:34, 51:44; Lamentations 2:2, 2:5, 2:16; 1 Corinthians 15:54; 2 Corinthians 5:4 the inheritance2 Samuel 21:3; Exodus 19:5, 19:6; Deuteronomy 32:9; 1 Samuel 26:19ReciprocalPsalm 35:25 - We have; 120:7 - for peace; Micah 2:8 - securely; Romans 12:18 - General; 2 Corinthians 2:7 - swallowed Verse 20Far be it2 Samuel 23:17; Job 21:16, 22:18 that I should2 Samuel 20:10; Proverbs 28:13; Jeremiah 17:9; Luke 10:29ReciprocalGenesis 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 21a man2 Samuel 20:1; Judges 2:9, 7:24; 2 Kings 5:22; Jeremiah 4:15, 50:19 by nameHeb. by his namelifted2 Samuel 23:18; 1 Samuel 24:6, 26:9 his head2 Samuel 17:2, 17:3; 2 Kings 10:7; Judges 18:4-8Reciprocal4:9 - into; 9:53 - woman; 9:55 - General; 20:13 - deliver; 2 Samuel 20:11 - He that; 1 Kings 11:27 - lifted up; Luke 6:41 - but Verse 22in her wisdomEcclesiastes 7:19, 9:14-18 he blew2 Samuel 20:1, 2:28, 18:16 retiredHeb. were scatteredAnd Joab3:28-39, 11:6-21; Ecclesiastes 8:11ReciprocalJudges 3:27 - he blew; 4:9 - into; 5:26 - she smote off; 9:55 - General; 20:13 - deliver; 2 Samuel 22:44 - delivered; Proverbs 17:11 - General Verse 23Now Joab2 Samuel 8:16-18; 1 Chronicles 18:15-17 and Benaiah2 Samuel 20:7Reciprocal2:13 - Joab; 8:18 - the Cherethites; 15:18 - Cherethites; 23:20 - Benaiah; 23:23 - over his guard; 24:2 - Joab; 1 Kings 1:7 - Joab; 4:2 - the princes; 1 Chronicles 11:6 - Joab; 11:22 - Benaiah; 11:25 - David; 18:17 - Benaiah Verse 24Adoram1 Kings 4:6, 12:18 recorderor, remembrancer, 4:3Reciprocal2 Kings 18:18 - the recorder; 2 Chronicles 34:8 - recorder; Isaiah 36:3 - Shebna Verse 25Sheva2 Samuel 8:17; 1 Kings 4:4; 1 Chronicles 18:16, ShavshaReciprocal1 Samuel 22:20 - one; 2 Samuel 15:24 - Zadok; 1 Kings 1:7 - Abiathar; 1:8 - Zadok; 4:3 - Shisha; 2 Kings 12:10 - the king's; 1 Chronicles 6:8 - Zadok; 6:53 - Zadok; 15:11 - Zadok; 24:3 - Zadok; Ezra 4:8 - scribe; Isaiah 36:3 - Shebna; Jeremiah 36:10 - the scribe; Mark 2:26 - Abiathar Verse 26Ira2 Samuel 23:38; 1 Chronicles 11:40, IthriteJairiteJudges 10:4, 10:5 chief ruleror, prince, 2 Samuel 8:18; Genesis 41:43, 41:45; Exodus 2:14, 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 35:15Reciprocal1 Kings 4:5 - the principal; Psalm 132:1 - all his afflictions
Verse 1 ama famineGenesis 12:10, 26:1, 41:57, 42:1, 43:1; Leviticus 26:19, 26:20, 26:26; 1 Kings 17:1, 18:2; 2 Kings 6:25, 8:1; Jeremiah 14:1-18 inquiredHeb. sought the face, etcof the Lord2 Samuel 5:19, 5:23; Numbers 27:21; 1 Samuel 23:2, 23:4, 23:11; Job 5:8-10, 10:2; Psalm 50:15, 91:15 It isJoshua 7:1, 7:11, 7:12 Saul1 Samuel 22:17-19ReciprocalExodus 20:5 - visiting; 20:7 - guiltless; 23:32 - shalt make; 33:7 - sought; Leviticus 4:22 - a ruler hath sinned; Deuteronomy 19:13 - but thou; Joshua 2:17 - General; 6:18 - and trouble it; 9:3 - Gibeon; 9:20 - lest wrath; Ruth 1:1 - a famine; 2 Samuel 21:5 - The man; 24:1 - again; 24:13 - seven; 2 Kings 4:38 - a dearth; 1 Chronicles 21:7 - he smote; 21:12 - three years' famine; Esther 9:27 - and upon their seed; Psalm 15:4 - sweareth; 26:9 - bloody men; 27:4 - inquire; 51:14 - Deliver; 109:14 - Let the; Proverbs 17:13 - General; Jeremiah 32:18 - recompensest; Jonah 1:11 - What; Micah 6:9 - hear; Haggai 1:6 - have; 1:9 - Because; 2 Timothy 3:3 - trucebreakers Verse 2now theJoshua 9:3-21 the AmoritesThe Gibeonites were Hivites, not Amorites, as appears from 6:19
but Amorites is a name often given to the Canaanites in general. Genesis 15:16 in his zealDeuteronomy 7:16; 1 Samuel 14:44, 15:8, 15:9; 2 Kings 10:16, 10:31; Luke 9:54, 9:55; John 16:2; Romans 10:2; Galatians 4:17ReciprocalExodus 20:7 - guiltless; 23:32 - shalt make; Deuteronomy 7:2 - make no; Joshua 2:17 - General; 5:1 - all the kings; 6:22 - as ye sware unto her; 9:15 - made peace; 1 Kings 2:43 - Why; 15:19 - break thy league; 1 Chronicles 1:14 - Amorite; 2 Chronicles 16:3 - break; 36:13 - who had; Nehemiah 3:7 - the Gibeonite; Esther 9:27 - and upon their seed; Psalm 15:4 - sweareth; Ezekiel 17:16 - whose oath; Acts 22:3 - was; Philippians 3:6 - zeal; Habakkuk 3:1 - an oath
Verse 3wherewithExodus 32:30; Leviticus 1:4; 1 Samuel 2:25; Micah 6:6, 6:7; Habakkuk 3:1, 3:1-10:12 bless2 Samuel 20:19ReciprocalExodus 30:15 - give less than; Numbers 25:13 - atonement; 2 Samuel 24:21 - the plague; 1 Kings 1:47 - bless; Psalm 28:9 - bless; Galatians 3:13 - for Verse 4We willetc. or, It is not silver nor gold that we have to do with Saul, or his house; neither pertains it to us to kill, etc. no silver. Psalm 49:6-8; 1 Peter 1:18, 1:19ReciprocalGenesis 30:31 - General Verse 5The man2 Samuel 21:1; Esther 9:24, 9:25; Matthew 7:2 devisedor, cut us off, Daniel 9:26

Verse 6Let sevenAs God accepted the expiation here demanded, we must suppose that both the enquiry of David, and the answer of the Gibeonites, were directed by some open or secret intimation from him.hang2 Samuel 17:23, 18:10; Genesis 40:19, 40:22; Numbers 25:4, 25:5; Deuteronomy 21:22; Joshua 8:29, 10:26; Ezra 6:11; Esther 9:10, 9:13, 9:14; Matthew 27:5 in1 Samuel 10:26, 11:4 whom the Lord did chooseor, the chosen of the Lord, 9:16, 9:17, 10:1, 10:24; Acts 13:21ReciprocalExodus 20:5 - visiting; Deuteronomy 21:23 - he that is hanged is accursed of God; 1 Samuel 13:2 - in Gibeah; 24:21 - that thou; 2 Samuel 21:9 - before the Lord; 1 Chronicles 2:49 - Gibea; 12:3 - Gibeathite; Hosea 5:8 - Gibeah Verse 7Mephibosheth2 Samuel 4:4, 9:10, 16:4, 19:25 because1 Samuel 18:3, 20:8, 20:15, 20:17, 20:42, 23:18ReciprocalLeviticus 5:4 - to do evil; Joshua 2:17 - General; 6:22 - as ye sware unto her; 9:18 - had sworn; Proverbs 18:24 - that hath; 27:10 - own Verse 8Rizpah2 Samuel 3:7 and the five sonsThis Adriel did not marry Michal, Saul's younger daughter, but Merab, 1 Samuel 18:19
Michael being married to David, and afterwards to Phaltiel; though it is here said she bore - yaledah
not brought up, as falsely rendered, five sons to Adriel. Two of Dr. Kennicott's manuscripts, however, have Merab, instead of Michal; the Syriac and Arabic have Nadab; and the Chaldee renders the passage thus: "And the five sons of Merab which Michal the daughter of Saul brought up, which she brought forth to Adriel the son of Barzillai."Michalor, Michal's sister, 18:19 brought up forHeb. bare toReciprocal20:16 - Let the Lord; 2 Samuel 21:10 - Rizpah; Psalm 109:14 - Let the; Jonah 1:15 - they
Verse 9before the Lord2 Samuel 21:6, 6:17, 6:21; Exodus 20:5; Numbers 35:31-34; Deuteronomy 21:1-9; 1 Samuel 15:33; 2 Kings 24:3, 24:4 in the beginningThis happened in Judea about the vernal equinox, or 21st of March Ruth 1:22ReciprocalNumbers 25:4 - and hang; Deuteronomy 21:22 - thou hang; Joshua 10:26 - hanged; 2 Samuel 4:12 - hanged; 21:10 - from the; Esther 9:13 - let Haman's ten sons be hanged; Psalm 109:14 - Let the; Jonah 1:15 - they; Galatians 3:13 - for Verse 10Rizpah2 Samuel 21:8, 3:7 took sackcloth1 Kings 21:27; Joel 1:18 from the2 Samuel 21:9; Deuteronomy 21:13 until waterSome suppose that this means a providential supply of rain, in order to remove the famine; but from the manner in which it is introduced, it seems to denote the autumnal rains, which commence about October. For five months did this broken-hearted woman watch by the bodies of her sons! 11:14; 1 Kings 18:41-45; Jeremiah 5:24, 5:25, 14:22; Hosea 6:3; Joel 2:23; Zechariah 10:1 the birdsGenesis 40:19; Ezekiel 39:4ReciprocalJob 37:13 - for mercy; Proverbs 30:17 - the ravens Verse 11told David2 Samuel 2:4; Ruth 2:11, 2:12

Verse 12the bones of Saul2 Samuel 2:5-7; 1 Samuel 31:11-13 BethshanJoshua 17:11, Beth-shean, 1 Samuel 31:10 in Gilboa2 Samuel 1:6, 1:21; 1 Samuel 28:4, 31:1; 1 Chronicles 10:1, 10:8Reciprocal1 Samuel 31:13 - their bones; 1 Chronicles 10:12 - the oak; Psalm 32:3 - When Verse 14buried2 Samuel 3:32, 4:12 ZelahJoshua 18:28; 1 Samuel 10:2, ZelzahGod2 Samuel 24:25; Exodus 32:27-29; Numbers 25:13; Joshua 7:26; 1 Kings 18:40, 18:41; Jeremiah 14:1-7; Joel 2:18, 2:19; Amos 7:1-6; Jonah 1:15; Zechariah 6:8ReciprocalNumbers 25:11 - turned my; Deuteronomy 19:13 - but thou; 1 Kings 18:45 - there was; 1 Chronicles 21:7 - he smote; Job 37:13 - for mercy; Ezekiel 16:42 - will I Verse 15the Philistines2 Samuel 5:17, 5:22; 1 Chronicles 20:4 and David waxed faintJoshua 14:10, 14:11; Psalm 71:9, 71:18, 73:26; Ecclesiastes 12:3; Isaiah 40:28-30; Jeremiah 9:23, 9:24; 1 Peter 1:24, 1:25ReciprocalGenesis 6:4 - giants; 2 Samuel 8:1 - And after; Psalm 9:5 - rebuked; 18:38 - General; 60:8 - triumph; 108:9 - over Philistia Verse 16of the sonsGenesis 6:4; Numbers 13:32, 13:33; Deuteronomy 1:28, 2:10, 2:21, 3:11, 9:2; 1 Samuel 17:4, 17:5 the giantor, Rapha, 2 Samuel 21:18, 21:20 *marg. 5:18; Genesis 14:5 whose spearHeb. the staff, or, the headthought1 Samuel 17:45-51ReciprocalJoshua 11:22 - only in Gaza; Psalm 33:16 - mighty; 87:4 - this man; 144:10 - who delivereth; Habakkuk 3:1 - escaped Verse 17Abishai2 Samuel 20:6-10 succoured22:19; Psalm 46:1, 144:10 Thou shalt2 Samuel 18:3 quench14:7; 1 Kings 11:36, 15:4; Psalm 132:17; John 1:8, 1:9, 5:35 lightHeb. candle, or lampReciprocalExodus 18:23 - and all this; Deuteronomy 31:2 - I can no more; 1 Chronicles 11:20 - Abishai; 18:12 - Moreover; Jeremiah 40:15 - wherefore; Acts 19:30 - the disciples; Habakkuk 3:1 - escaped Verse 18Sibbechai1 Chronicles 11:29, 20:4 Saphor, Sippai, 20:4 the giantor, Rapha, 2 Samuel 21:16, 21:20 *marg.Reciprocal17:8 - mighty men; 1 Chronicles 27:11 - Sibbecai Verse 19Elhananetc. Instead of הלחמי בית ארגיס יערי גלית את, of the text, we should certainly read, as in the parallel text, "and Elhanan the son of Jair, slew Lahmi the brother of Goliath." 1 Chronicles 11:26 Jaareoregimor, Jair, 20:5 Goliath1 Samuel 17:4-11Reciprocal17:7 - the staff Verse 20yet a battle1 Chronicles 20:6 the giantor, Rapha, 2 Samuel 21:16, 21:18 *marg.ReciprocalNumbers 13:32 - men of a great stature; 13:33 - saw the giants; Isaiah 45:14 - men of stature Verse 21defiedor, reproached, 1 Samuel 17:10, 17:25, 17:26, 17:36; 2 Kings 19:13 Jonathan1 Chronicles 27:32 Shimeah1 Samuel 16:9, 17:3, Shammah, 1 Chronicles 2:13, ShimmaReciprocalNumbers 23:7 - defy Israel; 1 Samuel 17:13 - Shammah Verse 22four1 Chronicles 20:8 fell byJoshua 14:12; Psalm 60:12, 108:13, 118:15; Ecclesiastes 9:11; Jeremiah 9:23; Romans 8:31, 8:37Reciprocal1 Samuel 6:17 - Gath