Annotations upon the remaining historicall part of the Old Testament. The second part. to wit, the books of Joshua, Judges, the two books of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles, and the books of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther : wherein first, all such passages in the text are explained as were thought likely to be questioned by any reader of ordinary capacity : secondly, in many clauses those things are discovered which are needfull and usefull to be known ... and thirdly, many places that might at first seem to contradict one another are reconciled ... / by Arthur Jackson.

CHAP. II.

Vers. 1. DAvid enquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go up to any of the cities of Judah?] Though David knew that he should be king, and that Saul being now dead, the Diadem, which by Gods speciall providence was put into his hand, belonged unto him; yet where or by what means the Lord would open a way to him, that he might possesse and enjoy it, he knew not, and therefore for this he enquired of the Lord, to wit, by the Ephod, as formerly, the rather doubtlesse, because he knew that Gods answer herein, would be a great encouragement, both to him and to his followers.

And David said, whither shall I go up? And he said unto Hebron.] This was at present the chief citie of the tribe of Judah, and withall it was the place where A∣braham; Isaac, and Jacob were buried: and thus the kingdome of David was first erected where they lay enterred, to whom long since the land of Canaan was pro∣mised, the Sceptre of Christ and the kingdome to be established in the tribe of Judah, which was to be a type of the kingdome of Christ.

Vers. 2. So David went up thither, and his two wives also, &c.] That as they had been sharers with him in his sufferings, so they might have their share in his prosperity too; and thus they that are married to Christ, and partake with him in his sufferings, shall be sure also to partake with him in his glory, Luke 22.28, 29. Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. And I appoint unto you a kingdome, as my Father hath appointed unto me: 2. Tim. 2.12. If we suffer, we shall also reigne with him, if we deny him, he also will deny us.

Vers. 3. And they dwelt in the cities of Hebron.] That is, in Hebron and the towns and cities adjoyning, in that mountainous tract of land that belonged to He∣bron. See Josh. 21.11, 12.

Vers. 4. And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah.] Though many of the other tribes came into David, whilest he was yet at Ziklag, even some that were Sauls brethren, of the tribe of Ben∣jamin, 1. Chron. 12.1, 2. & therefore it is likely, that even now too, when he was come to Hebron, some of every tribe came in to him, to wit, so many as were convinced that David had been anointed by Samuel at Gods appointment, and therefore judg∣ed they should rebell against God, if they should not submit to his government; yet because the generallity of the other tribes, stood for the setling of the kingdome upon Sauls posterity (though indeed they did it at least many of them, because they durst do no other, for fear of Abner: Ye sought for David in times past to be king over you, saith Abner to the Israelites, chap. 3.17.) And onely the tribe of Judah did generally at this time come into David, therefore it is said, that for the present he was onely anointed king over the house of Judah. Hitherto David had been ex∣tremely persecuted by Saul, and had endured a great deal of trouble and sorrow; but now at last God made good his word: and settled him in the throne which he had promised him; and herein was David a notable type of Christ, who through many sufferings entred into glory, he endured the crosse, despising the shame, saith the Apostle, Heb. 12.2. and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Yea and the voluntary submission of these men to the government of David, was a type of the voluntary submission of Christs subjects to his Sceptre, according to that pro∣pheticall expression, Psal. 110.3. Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy pow∣er. Indeed this was the very reason why they anointed David now again at He∣bron, whereas he had been before anointed by Samuel; namely, that they might there∣by testifie their approbation of that which God had appointed, and how freely and cheerfully they did all consent, to accept of him as their king and sovereigne.

And they told David, saying, That the men of Jabesh-Gilead were they that buried Saul.] It may well be that David made enquiry after the bodies of Saul and his sonne, as intending to have them honourably buried, and that hereupon he was told what had been herein done, by the men of Jabesh-Gilead.

Vers. 6. And now the Lord shew kindnesse and truth unto you.] That is, may the Lord recompence the kindnesse which you have shewed to Saul, by be∣ing constantly kind and gracious to you; these two words kindnesse, and truth, are often joyned together in the Scripture, to signifie a constant sure hearty kindnesse.

Vers. 7. Your master Saul is dead, and also the house of Judah have anointed me king over them.] This clause is added to shew the reason why he sent this message to the men of Jabesh-gilead, to wit, because he was now anointed king in Sauls room▪ and he would not have them entertain any thoughts of jealousie, that he would bear them any spleen for their kindnesse to Saul, but would rather study to requite them for it; thus by kindnesse he sought to winne the other tribes to sub∣mit to his government.

Vers. 8 But Abner the sonne of Ner, Captain of Sauls host, took Ishbosheth the sonne of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim, &c.] To wit, that he might there anoint him king, in the room of his father Saul, as it follows in the next verse. And he made him king over Gilead, and over the Ashurites, and over Jez∣reel, (not that of Judah, Josh. 15.26. but that of Issachar, Josh. 19.18.) and over Ephraim, and over Benjamin, and over all Israel, that is, over all the other tribes of Israel, except the tribe of Judah, that had anointed David; Abner was Sauls cousin german (for Ner the father of Abner, and Kish the father of Saul, were bro∣thers) and in Sauls time he was the Lord Generall of all his forces, fearing therefore that he should be displaced and disregarded, if David were king, at least that he could not hope for the preferment, and favour under David, that he might expect under a king of his own kindred and family, especially if he were the chief means to make him king, he resolved to continue the kingdome, if he could in Sauls family; and be∣cause Mephibosheth Jonathans sonne, the heir apparant to Saul, was but five years old, and now lately lamed in his feet, chap. 4.4. therefore he rather thought fit to proclaim Ishbosheth king, who was the onely sonne of Saul that was now left, ex∣cept those that he had by his concubines: and to that end he took him, and carried to Mahanaim, which was a citie in Gilead, beyond Jordan in the tribe of Gad, choo∣sing there at first to settle his new made king; either because he had heard of the message which David had sent to the men of Jabesh-gilead, and so desired to strengthen himself in those parts, lest they should be wonne to fall off to David, or else onely because this being one of the remotest parts of the kingdome, Ishbosheth might be here safest from Davids party. It is indeed evident, that Abner knew well enough that David was anointed by Samuel at Gods appointment, to succeed Saul in the throne; for we see that afterwards in his anger, he could tell Ishbosheth, that he would translate the kingdome to David, even as the Lord had sworn to him, chap. 3.9. But what do ambitious Athesticall men care for Gods command? He considered at this time that Ishbosheth was his near kinsman, and that be∣ing but a weak feeble-spirited man, he might use him as a scale, and in the mean time rule all himself, and therefore he made no bones in the pursuit of these his ambitious designes, to set up a king contrary to what he knew God had appointed.

Vers. 10. Ishbosheth Sauls sonne, was fourty years old when he began to reigne

over Israel, and reigned two years.] Some therefore conceive, that Ishbosheth took not the kingdome upon him, till five years after his fathers decease; but I should rather think the meaning of this clause is, not that Ishbosheth reigned but two years in all, but that he had reigned but two years, when Abner led forth an army against David, and was overcome by Joab, as is related in the sequel of the chapter, for had not Ishbosheth reigned longer then two years, why is it said, chap. 3. vers. 1. that there was long warre between the house of Saul, and the house of David; and why was it seven years and odde moneths, ere the rest of the tribes accepted of David for their king. Yet some Expositours hold, that it was above five years after the death of Saul, ere Abner rose up against David, and made Ishbo∣sheth king.

But the house of Judah followed David.] To wit, even after the other tribes had made Ishbosheth king: which is doubtlesse noted to the praise of the men of Judah. They might well assure themselves that if they still stuck to David it would make a dangerous rent in the kingdome, and that would prove the occasion of a civil warre, wherein much bloud was like to be shed, and yet because it was of Gods appointment that David should be king, they are commended for this, that they did still hold fast with David, leaving the event for other things to God.

Vers. 12. And Abner the sonne of Ner, and the servants of Ishbosheth the sonne of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.] To wit, to make warre against David, as is evident in the sequel of the story.

Vers. 14. And Abner said to Joab, Let the young men now arise, and play be∣fore us, &c.] The meaning of this is, that when both armies were met toge∣ther, as is before said, Abner sent a challenge to Joab, to wit, that a certain number of their young gallants on each side might come forth, and show both armies some pastime in a fight together; and this no doubt he did in a bravery as hoping by this vaunting flourish of the courage of his men, to daunt those that were with Joab; but Joab soon accepted the challenge, and sent forth twelve of his men to enter the lists with twelve of Abners; and we may well think that the sad event of this combate was of God, to shew how he abhorres such vain-glorious challenges.

Vers. 17. And there was a very sore battel that day.] Each part happely being enraged by the death of their fellows slain in the combate, both armies did presently with great fury fall upon each other, and so there was a sore battel, though at last Joab and his men wonne the field, who fought for David the Lords anointed; as it follows in the next words, Abner was beaten, &c. and yet considering that Abner had all the tribes of Israel on his side save that of Judah, it is very probable that his army was farre greater then Joabs.

Vers. 21. Lay thee hold on one of the young men, and take thee his armour.] As if he should have said, Set upon one that is thy match, and content thy self with ta∣king the spoil of his armour from him; or else I shall soon make thee know that thou art not able to deal with me.

Vers. 22. How then shall I hold up my face before thy brother.] Hereby it ap∣pears that Abner began now to think of obtaining a peace from David, and was

troubled to think that he should have Joab his continuall adversary, if he should now slay his brother Asahel.

Vers. 23. Abner with the hinder end of his spear smote him under the fifth rib, &c.] About the place where the short ribs are; which is added, because in that place the blow must needs be mortall: and it was done with the hinder end of the spear, that is, with the pike in the lower end of the spear, for their spears had pikes at both ends.

Vers. 25. And the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together after Abner, &c.] That is, some of his broken troops gathering together about Abner on the top of an hill, encouraged with the advantage of the place, and night approch∣ing, began to make head against Joab again.

Vers. 26. Knowest thou not that it will be bitternesse in the latter end? &c.] That is, though in your heat of prosecuting the victory you have gotten, the bloud of our brethren is not minded, yet afterward it will cause bitter sorrow, even these few of our army which are left, when they see their condition is desperate, may happely sell their lives amongst thy followers at a deare rate; but however, the shedding of so much bloud of Israel, your brethren, will end at last in bitternesse, and therefore desist: How long shall it be ere thou bid the people return from following their brethren?

Vers. 27. Unlesse thou hadst spoken, surely then in the morning the people had gone up every one from following his brother.] That is, unlesse thou hadst by chal∣lenging the young men on our side, provoked the people, (and he means that chal∣lenge mentioned vers. 14.) so farre we were from desiring to shed the bloud of our brethren, that purposely to prevent it, we were minded to have retired in the morn∣ing before the battel was fought.

Vers. 28. So Joab blew a trumpet, and all the people, &c.] Though Joab doubt∣lesse was greatly incensed for the death of his brother Asahel, yet hoping that Abner began to bethink himself of the losse they had sustained, and especially to prevent the further shedding of the bloud of their brethren, he sounded a retreat, neither fought they any more, to wit, at this time: for afterwards the warre was renewed again, as is evident in the next chapter, vers. 1.