“And it came to pass after this, that David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And the LORD said unto him, Go up. And David said, Whither shall I go up? And he said, Unto Hebron.”
Which city was also called Kirjath Arba, Josh. 14:15 . By the means of the high Priest, as 1 Sam. 23:2 and 2 Sam. 5:19 .
“And his men that were with him did David bring up, every man with his household: and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron.”
In the time of his persecution.
“And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, That the men of Jabeshgilead were they that buried Saul.”
Cross references: : 1 Sam. 31:13
“And now the LORD shew kindness and truth unto you: and I also will requite you this kindness, because ye have done this thing.”
According to his promise, which is to recompense them that are merciful.
“Therefore now let your hands be strengthened, and be ye valiant : for your master Saul is dead, and also the house of Judah have anointed me king over them. be ye: Heb. be ye the sons of valour”
So that you shall not want a Captain and a defender.
“And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months. time: Heb. number of days”
After this time was expired, he reigned over all the country 33 years, 2 Sam. 5:5 .
“And Abner said to Joab, Let the young men now arise, and play before us. And Joab said, Let them arise.”
Let us see how they can handle their Weapons.
“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. Helkathhazzurim: that is, The field of strong men”
Meaning, his adversary. Or, the field of strong men.
“And there was a very sore battle that day; and Abner was beaten, and the men of Israel, before the servants of David.”
After that these four and twenty were slain.
“And Abner said again to Asahel, Turn thee aside from following me: wherefore should I smite thee to the ground? how then should I hold up my face to Joab thy brother?”
Why dost thou provoke me to kill thee?
“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.”
Some read, in those parts, whereas the lively parts lie: as the heart, the lungs, the liver, the milt, and the gall.
“Then Abner called to Joab, and said, Shall the sword devour for ever? knowest thou not that it will be bitterness in the latter end? how long shall it be then, ere thou bid the people return from following their brethren?”
Shall we not make an end of murdering?
“And Joab said, As God liveth, unless thou hadst spoken, surely then in the morning the people had gone up every one from following his brother. in the: Heb. from the morning gone: or, gone away”
If thou hadst not provoked them to battle, as verse 14 .
“And Abner and his men walked all that night through the plain, and passed over Jordan, and went through all Bithron, and they came to Mahanaim.”
Or, wilderness. Or, to the tents.
“But the servants of David had smitten of Benjamin, and of Abner's men, so that three hundred and threescore men died.”
Thus God would confirm David in his kingdom by the destruction of his adversaries.