Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Samuel 2:24
Joab also and Abishai pursued after Abner: and the sun went down when they were come to the hill of Ammah, that [lieth] before Giah by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon.
24 32. The Pursuit. Asahel’s burial
24. Joab also, &c.] And Joab and Abishai continued the pursuit, in contrast to those who halted at the scene of Asahel’s death.
the hill of Ammah Giah ] Nothing is known of these places, but the minuteness of topographical detail is an indication that the history was written by one who was familiar with the circumstances.
the wilderness of Gibeon ] The untilled tract of pasture-lands, lying east of the city.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Ammah … Giah – Local, and otherwise unknown names.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Joab also and Abishai pursued after Abner,…. Or rather but Joab, c. n. They stood not still as the rest, but, filled with indignation and resentment, pursued after Abner, to be avenged on him:
and the sun went down when they came to the hill of Ammah a hill by the side of which was a pool of water, as Kimchi thinks, and from thence so called:
that [lieth] before Giah; a place near Gibeon, but nowhere after mentioned:
by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon; very likely not far from the city from which it had its name.
n “Autem”, V. L. Tiguriue version; “sed”, Junius Tremellius, Piscator so Kimchi.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
But Joab and Abishai pursued Abner till the sun set, and until they had arrived at the hill Ammah, in front of Giah, on the way to the desert of Gibeon. Nothing further is known of the places mentioned here.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
(24) The hill of Ammah.No identification of either Ammah or Giah has yet been made, but as it was by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon, it may be conjectured that it was not far from that town, and hence that the pursuit was not long.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
24. Ammah Giah Places now unknown. Such incidental allusions to places long since forgotten furnish evidence of the genuineness and credibility of the history.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
(24) Joab also and Abishai pursued after Abner: and the sun went down when they were come to the hill of Ammah, that lieth before Giah by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon. (25) And the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together after Abner, and became one troop, and stood on the top of an hill. (26) Then Abner called to Joab, and said, Shall the sword devour forever? 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? (27) And Joab said, As God liveth, unless thou hadst spoken, surely then in the morning the people had gone up everyone from following his brother. (28) So Joab blew a trumpet, and all the people stood still, and pursued after Israel no more, neither fought they anymore.
The ground which Abner gained, and the blessing of the sun going down, gave time for each party to consider. Pauses in life, as on numberless occasions, are precious things. Abner’s address is well ordered, though not founded in truth. He had began the quarrel. He had proposed first the play by which the after battle was brought on. Joab’s answer is a noble one, and most generous towards a falling enemy, though he takes care to lay the blame wholly where it was due. If he had not first spoken, there would have been no battle; and if he had not now spoken, Joab’s forbearance would have been manifested in the morning the same. But Reader, in praising Joab, do not fail to discover the hand of a gracious God in the event. Here would I ever keep a fixed eye.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
2Sa 2:24 Joab also and Abishai pursued after Abner: and the sun went down when they were come to the hill of Ammah, that [lieth] before Giah by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon.
Ver. 24. Joab also and Abishai pursued after Abner. ] Notwithstanding the loss of their brother Asahel; which could not but be a great grief to them. The public cause was their main care.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Shall the Sword Devour for Ever?
2Sa 2:24-32
The longer the sword devours, the more bitter the hatred engendered. Early that morning, each of twenty-four young men had buried his sword in his antagonists heart; and, as the hours passed, the flame of mutual hate had become hotter. There was no telling to what it might lead. Hatred is like a prairie fire in its rapid spread and remorseless destruction.
When night fell, Abner, alarmed by the prospects of slaughter, asked Joab to stay the pursuit. Otherwise, Joab would have fought through the night. However, he drew off his men, and Abner, still dreading his wrath, by a forced march crossed the Jordan that night.
Abners reference to the insatiate lust of the sword for human life reminds us, by force of contrast, of the hunger of Christ to seek and to save that which is lost. His appetite to save is a consuming passion. It is His meat and drink to win souls to the eternal life that he is commissioned to impart.
Fuente: F.B. Meyer’s Through the Bible Commentary
Reciprocal: 2Sa 8:1 – Methegammah