7<\/strong>. Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah<\/em> ] The heroine of the tragic story related in ch. 2Sa 21:8-11<\/span>.<\/p>\n and<\/em> Ish-bosheth said<\/em> ] Ish-bosheth<\/em> has fallen out of the Heb. text. The Sept. has Ish-bosheth the son of Saul<\/em>; the Vulg. Ish-bosheth<\/em>.<\/p>\n Wherefore<\/em>, &c.] An Oriental monarch took possession of his predecessor’s harem. Cp. ch. 2Sa 12:8<\/span>, 2Sa 16:21<\/span>; 1Ki 2:22<\/span>. There is no further indication that Abner intended to dethrone Ish-bosheth, but the act was an invasion of royal rights, and consequently implicit treason.<\/p>\n Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah – <\/B>For the sequel of her history, see the marginal reference. Aiah, was an Edomite, or rather Horite name Gen 36:24<\/span>.<\/P><\/p>\n Either, first, To satisfy thy own lust. Or rather, secondly, By that pretence to take away my crown first; for this was that which stirred up his jealousy and rage, and caused him to speak that to Abner which otherwise he neither would nor durst. But whether Abner were guilty or no, it is not evident from the following words; for if it were true, great men cannot endure to be told of their faults, though they be true and great. <\/P> <\/p>\n And Saul had a concubine, whose name [was] Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah<\/strong>,…. By whom he had two sons, 2Sa 21:8<\/span>. Josephus a calls her father’s name Sibathus:<\/p>\n and [Ishbosheth] said to Abner<\/strong>; though the word “Ishbosheth” is not in the text, it is rightly supplied; for no other can be supposed to speak:<\/p>\n wherefore hast thou gone in unto my father’s concubine<\/strong>? and defiled her; though perhaps it was not so much the act of uncleanness that so much offended him, or the dishonour reflected on him and his family thereby, as it discovered an ambitious view in Abner to get the kingdom into his own hands, to which this was the leading step; see 1Ki 2:22<\/span>. Whether Abner was really guilty of this sin or no is not easy to determine; though, by his not absolutely denying it, it looks as if it was not merely a jealousy of Ishbosheth, or a false report made unto him; though, especially if he was not fully satisfied of it, it would have been his wisdom to have said nothing of it to him, since his continuance on the throne so much depended on him.<\/p>\n a Antiqu. l. 7. c. 1. sect. 4.<\/p>\n Abner Deserts to David.<\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/I><\/span><\/P> <\/TD> B. C.<\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/SPAN> 1048.<\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/FONT><\/P> <\/TD> <\/TR> <\/TABLE> 7 And Saul had a concubine, whose name was<\/I> Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah: and Ishbosheth<\/I> said to Abner, Wherefore hast thou gone in unto my father’s concubine? 8 Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Ishbosheth, and said, Am<\/I> I a dog’s head, which against Judah do shew kindness this day unto the house of Saul thy father, to his brethren, and to his friends, and have not delivered thee into the hand of David, that thou chargest me to day with a fault concerning this woman? 9 So do God to Abner, and more also, except, as the LORD<\/B> hath sworn to David, even so I do to him; 10 To translate the kingdom from the house of Saul, and to set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beer-sheba. 11 And he could not answer Abner a word again, because he feared him. 12 And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, Whose is<\/I> the land? saying also,<\/I> Make thy league with me, and, behold, my hand shall be<\/I> with thee, to bring about all Israel unto thee. 13 And he said, Well; I will make a league with thee: but one thing I require of thee, that is, Thou shalt not see my face, except thou first bring Michal Saul’s daughter, when thou comest to see my face. 14 And David sent messengers to Ishbosheth Saul’s son, saying, Deliver me<\/I> my wife Michal, which I espoused to me for an hundred foreskins of the Philistines. 15 And Ishbosheth sent, and took her from her<\/I> husband, even<\/I> from Phaltiel the son of Laish. 16 And her husband went with her along weeping behind her to Bahurim. Then said Abner unto him, Go, return. And he returned. 17 And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, Ye sought for David in times past to be<\/I> king over you: 18 Now then do it:<\/I> for the LORD<\/B> hath spoken of David, saying, By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies. 19 And Abner also spake in the ears of Benjamin: and Abner went also to speak in the ears of David in Hebron all that seemed good to Israel, and that seemed good to the whole house of Benjamin. 20 So Abner came to David to Hebron, and twenty men with him. And David made Abner and the men that were<\/I> with him a feast. 21 And Abner said unto David, I will arise and go, and will gather all Israel unto my lord the king, that they may make a league with thee, and that thou mayest reign over all that thine heart desireth. And David sent Abner away; and he went in peace.<\/P> Here, I. Abner breaks with Ish-bosheth, and deserts his interest, upon a little provocation which Ish-bosheth unadvisedly gave him. God can serve his own purposes by the sins and follies of men. 1. Ish-bosheth accused Abner of no less a crime than debauching one of his father’s concubines, v.<\/I><\/span> 7<\/span>. Whether it was so or no does not appear, nor what ground he had for the suspicion: but, however it was, it would have been Ish-bosheth’s prudence to be silent, considering how much it was his interest not to disoblige Abner. If the thing was false, and his jealousy groundless, it was very disingenuous and ungrateful to entertain unjust surmises of one who had ventured his all for him, and was certainly the best friend he had in the world. 2. Abner resented the charge very strongly. Whether he was guilty of the fault concerning this woman<\/I> or no he does not say (v.<\/I><\/span> 8<\/span>), but we suspect he was guilty, for he does not expressly deny it; and, though he was, he lets Ish-bosheth know, (1.) That he scorned to be reproached with it by him, and would not take reproof at his hands. “What!” says Abner, “Am I a dog’s head,<\/I> a vile and contemptible animal, that thou exposest me thus? v.<\/I><\/span> 8<\/span>. Is this my recompence for the kindness I have shown to thee and thy father’s house, and the good services I have done you?” He magnifies the service with this, that it was against Judah, the tribe on which the crown was settled, and which would certainly have it at last, so that, in supporting the house of Saul, he acted both against his conscience and against his interest, for which he deserved a better requital than this: and yet, perhaps, he would not have been so zealous for the house of Saul if he had not thereby gratified his own ambition and hoped to find his own account in it. Note, Proud men will not bear to be reproved, especially by those whom they think they have obliged. (2.) That he would certainly be revenged on him, 2Sa 3:9<\/span>; 2Sa 3:10<\/span>. With the utmost degree of arrogance and insolence he lets him know that, as he had raised him up, so he could pull him down again and would do it. He knew that God had sworn to David to give him the kingdom, and yet opposed it with all his might from a principle of ambition; but now he complies with it from a principle of revenge, under colour of some regard to the will of God, which was but a pretence. Those that are slaves to their lusts have many masters, which drive, some one way and some another, and, according as they make head, men are violently hurried into self-contradictions. Abner’s ambition made him zealous for Ish-bosheth, and now his revenge made him as zealous for David. If he had sincerely regarded God’s promise to David, and acted with an eye to that, he would have been steady and uniform in his counsels, and acted in consistency with himself. But, while Abner serves his own lusts, God by him serves his own purposes, makes even his wrath and revenge to praise him, and ordains strength to David by it. Lastly,<\/I> See how Ish-bosheth was thunder-struck by Abner’s insolence: He could not answer him again,<\/I> v.<\/span> 11<\/span><\/U><\/I><\/span>. If Ish-bosheth had had the spirit of a man, especially of a prince, he might have answered him that his merits were the aggravation of his crimes, that he would not be served by so base a man, and doubted not but to do well enough without him. But he was conscious to himself of his own weakness, and therefore said not a word, lest he should make bad worse. His heart failed him, and he now became, as David had foretold concerning his enemies, like a bowing wall and a tottering fence,<\/I> Ps. lxii. 3<\/I><\/span>.<\/P> II. Abner treats with David. We must suppose that he began to grow weary of Ish-bosheth’s cause, and sought an opportunity to desert it, or else, however he might threaten Ish-bosheth with it, for the quashing of the charge against himself, he would not have made good his angry words so soon as he did, v.<\/I><\/span> 12<\/span>. He sent messengers to David,<\/I> to tell him that he was at his service. “Whose is the land?<\/I> Is it not thine? For thou hast the best title to the government and the best interest in the people’s affections.” Note, God can find out ways to make those serviceable to the kingdom of Christ who yet have no sincere affection for it and who have vigorously set themselves against it. Enemies are sometimes made a footstool, not only to be trodden upon, but to ascend by. The earth helped the woman.<\/P> III. David enters into a treaty with Abner, but upon condition that he shall procure him the restitution of Michal his wife, v.<\/I><\/span> 13<\/span>. Hereby, 1. David showed the sincerity of his conjugal affection to his first and most rightful wife; neither her marrying another, nor his, had alienated him from her. Many waters could not quench that love. 2. He testified his respect to the house of Saul. So far was he from trampling upon it, now that it was fallen, that even in his elevation he valued himself not a little on his relation to it. He cannot be pleased with the honours of the throne unless he have Michal, Saul’s daughter, to share with him in them, so far is he from bearing any malice to the family of his enemy. Abner sent him word that he must apply to Ish-bosheth, which he did (v.<\/I><\/span> 14<\/span>), pleading that he had purchased her at a dear rate, and she was wrongfully taken from him. Ish-bosheth durst not deny his demand, now that he had not Abner to stand by him, but took her from Phaltiel, to whom Saul had married her (v.<\/I><\/span> 15<\/span>), and Abner conducted her to David, not doubting but that then he should be doubly welcome when he brought him a wife in one hand and a crown in the other. Her latter husband was loth to part with her, and followed her weeping<\/I> (v.<\/I><\/span> 16<\/span>), but there was no remedy: he must thank himself; for when he took her he knew that another had a right to her. Usurpers must expect to resign. Let no man therefore set his heart on that to which he is not entitled. If any disagreement has separated husband and wife, as they expect the blessing of God let them be reconciled, and come together again; let all former quarrels be forgotten, and let them live together in love, according to God’s holy ordinance.<\/P> IV. Abner uses his interest with the elders of Israel to bring them over to David, knowing that whichever way they went the common people would follow of course. Now that it serves his own turn he can plead in David’s behalf that he was, 1. Israel’s choice (v.<\/I><\/span> 17<\/span>): “You sought for him in times past to be king over you,<\/I> when he had signalized himself in so many engagements with the Philistines and done you so much good service; no man can pretend to greater personal merit than David nor to less than Ish-bosheth. You have tried them both, Detur digniori–Give the crown to him that best deserves it.<\/I> Let David be your king.” 2. God’s choice (v.<\/I><\/span> 18<\/span>): “The Lord hath spoken of David.<\/I> Compare v.<\/I><\/span> 9<\/span>. When God appointed Samuel to anoint him he did, in effect, promise that by his hand he would save Israel; for for that end he was made king. God having promised, by David’s hand, to save Israel, it is both your duty, in compliance with God’s will, and your interest, in order to your victories over your enemies, to submit to him; and it is the greatest folly in the world to oppose him.” Who would have expected such reasonings as these out of Abner’s mouth? But thus God will make the enemies of his people to know and own that he has loved them,<\/I> Rev. iii. 9<\/I><\/span>. He particularly applied to the men of Benjamin, those of his own tribe, on whom he had the greatest influence, and whom he had drawn in to appear for the house of Saul. He was the man that had deceived them, and therefore he was concerned to undeceive them. Thus the multitude are as they are managed.<\/P> V. David concludes the treaty with Abner; and he did wisely and well therein; for, whatever induced Abner to it, it was a good work to put an end to the war, and to settle the Lord’s anointed on the throne; and it was as lawful for David to make use of his agency as it is for a poor man to receive alms from a Pharisee, who gives it in pride and hypocrisy. Abner reported to David the sense of the people and the success of his communications with them, v.<\/I><\/span> 19<\/span>. He came now, not as at first privately, but with a retinue of twenty men, and David entertained them with a feast<\/I> (v.<\/I><\/span> 20<\/span>) in token of reconciliation and joy and as a pledge of the agreement between them: it was a feast upon a covenant, like that, Gen. xxvi. 30<\/span>. If thy enemy hunger, feed him;<\/I> but, if he submit, feast him. Abner, pleased with his entertainment, the prevention of his fall with Saul’s house (which would have been inevitable if he had not taken this course), and much more with the prospect he had of preferment under David, undertakes in a little time to perfect the revolution, and to bring all Israel into obedience to David, v.<\/I><\/span> 21<\/span>. He tells David he shall reign over all that his heart desired.<\/I> He knew David’s elevation took rise from God’s appointment, yet he insinuates that it sprang from his own ambition and desire of rule; thus (as bad men often do) he measured that good man by himself. However, David and he parted very good friends, and the affair between them was well settled. Thus it behoves all who fear God and keep his commandments to avoid strife, even with the wicked, to live at peace with all men, and to show the world that they are children of the light.<\/P> <\/p>\n (7) Rizpah.<\/strong>The name of this woman is associated with her strong and tender grief over the loss of her sons, recorded in 2Sa. 21:8-11<\/span>.<\/p>\n Wherefore hast thou gone in?<\/strong>The harem of an Eastern monarch was considered as the property of his successor, and therefore the taking of a woman belonging to it as the assertion of a claim to the throne. (See 2Sa. 12:8<\/span>; 2Sa. 16:21<\/span>; 1Ki. 2:22<\/span>.) It is not probable that Abner had any such design, since he was exerting himself to maintain Ish-bosheth on the throne. But the king appears to have so regarded the act, as it is this implied charge of treachery that so greatly rouses the anger of Abner. The name of Ish-bosheth has dropped out of the Hebrew text, but appears in a few MSS., and is rightly restored in all the versions.<\/p>\n ABNER’S REVOLT, 2Sa 3:7-21<\/span>.<\/p>\n 7<\/strong>. <\/strong> Wherefore hast thou my father’s concubine <\/strong> Whether or not Abner was guilty of this charge is not clear, but at least King Ishbosheth’s suspicion was aroused, and he made the charge. Such an act, according to eastern notions, would have been one of shameless disrespect to the memory of Saul, and indicate a design to gain the crown. Compare 2Sa 16:21-22<\/span>; 1Ki 2:19-25<\/span>.<\/p>\n Abner Quarrels With Ish-bosheth Over One Of Saul’s Concubines And Decides As A Consequence To Advance David’s Claims To The Throne Of Israel ( 2Sa 3:7-16<\/strong><\/span><\/strong> ). <\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n While David’s strengthening position is seen by the writer in terms of his wives and sons, Abner and Ish-bosheth are seen as falling out over Abner’s association with one of Saul’s former concubines. This may well have been an attempt by Abner to further strengthen his position in the house of Saul, for any children resulting from his relationship would be in line for the throne. And besides, to cohabit with a dead king’s concubines was the privilege of the heir so that his action could be seen as a veiled claim to be Saul’s heir (compare 16:21; 1Ki 2:21-22<\/span>). Thus either way Abner was treading a dangerous path. Alternately it is possible that it really was simply because he desired her. Whichever way it was, however, the writer uses it to contrast Abner and his concubine with David who was married to a true-born daughter of Saul (2Sa 3:13-14<\/span>). <\/p>\n Analysis. <\/p>\n a <\/strong> Now Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah: and Ish-bosheth said to Abner, “Why have you gone in to my father’s concubine?” (2Sa 3:7<\/span>). <\/p>\n b <\/strong> Then Abner was very angry because of the words of Ish-bosheth, and he said, “Am I a dog’s head who belongs to Judah? This day do I show kindness to the house of Saul your father, to his relatives (brothers), and to his friends, and have not delivered you into the hand of David, and yet you charge me this day with a fault concerning this woman (2Sa 3:8<\/span>). <\/p>\n c <\/strong> “God do so to Abner, and more also, if, as YHWH has sworn to David, I do not even so to him, to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul, and to set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beer-sheba” (2Sa 3:9-10<\/span>). <\/p>\n d <\/strong> And he could not answer Abner another word, because he feared him (2Sa 3:11<\/span>). <\/p>\n c <\/strong> And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, “Whose is the land?” saying also, “Make your league with me, and, look, my hand will be with you, to bring about all Israel to you” (2Sa 3:12<\/span>). <\/p>\n b <\/strong> And he said, “Well. I will make a league with you. But one thing I require of you, that is, you shall not see my face, except you first bring Michal, Saul’s daughter, when you come to see my face” (2Sa 3:13<\/span>). <\/p>\n a <\/strong> And David sent messengers to Ish-bosheth, Saul’s son, saying, “Deliver me my wife Michal, whom I betrothed to myself for a hundred foreskins of the Philistines.” And Ish-bosheth sent, and took her from her husband, even from Paltiel the son of Laish. And her husband went with her, weeping as he went, and followed her to Bahurim. Then said Abner to him, “Go, return,” and he returned (2Sa 3:14-16<\/span>). <\/p>\n Note that in ‘a’ Ish-bosheth chides Abner for having relations with his father’s concubine, and in the parallel he responds to David’s demand for the return of his wife Michal. In ‘b’ Abner is angry at being put at fault over a woman, and in the parallel David demands from him a woman, Michal his former wife, if he is to deal with him. In ‘c’ Abner declares that he will deliver the kingdom to David, and in the parallel he contacts David and offers to bring all Israel to him. Centrally in ‘d’ the ‘brave’ king of Israel does not answer because he is afraid of Abner. <\/p>\n 2Sa 3:7<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n ‘<\/strong> Now Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah, and Ish-bosheth said to Abner, “Why have you gone in to my father’s concubine?” ’ <\/p>\n When Abner has sexual relations with his father’s concubine Ish-bosheth chides him and asks him to explain himself. A dead king’s concubines belonged to his heir, and to have sexual relations with them could be seen as a claim to be in line for the kingship, as Ish-bosheth recognised. Furthermore any children produced could be seen as in line for the throne. We should probably see in this not just a simple, annoyed, private enquiry, but an official calling to account. This time Ish-bosheth considered that Abner had gone too far and was afraid of what it might mean. In fact Abner had probably done it simply because he desired the girl and was contemptuous of Ish-bosheth (he hardly had any need to further his claims, even had he wanted to, for he was already the king-maker). But it is possible that he had done it partly in order to test out Ish-bosheth’s reaction. Great men like Abner often liked to display their untouchable position by their actions. <\/p>\n 2Sa 3:8-9<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n ‘<\/strong> Then Abner was very angry because of the words of Ish-bosheth, and he said, “Am I a dog’s head who belongs to Judah? This day do I show kindness to the house of Saul your father, to his relatives (brothers), and to his friends, and have not delivered you into the hand of David, and yet you charge me this day with a fault concerning this woman. God do so to Abner, and more also, if, as YHWH has sworn to David, I do not even so to him,” <\/p>\n Abner was taken aback and furious at Ish-bosheth daring to challenge him. He was clearly very proud of his loyalty to Saul’s house (even though he was the gainer by it) and was angry that Ish-bosheth should throw doubt on it. He may also have felt that Ish-bosheth was beginning to ‘show his teeth’. So he asked whether Ish-bosheth really thought that he was less trustworthy than David. His real opinion of David and of Judah is made clear by his words, ‘Am I a dog’s head of Judah?’. He had no doubt been present when David had likened himself to a dead dog (1Sa 24:14<\/span>), and here he made it quite clear that he considered it a good description of David. Or it may be that the Israelites were simply in the habit of scathingly describing the men of Judah as ‘dogs’ or ‘dogs’ heads’. <\/p>\n He then stressed how, rather than trying to dethrone Ish-bosheth, (as he saw David as wishing to do), he had rather shown kindness to him and to all Saul’s relations, and had not, as he could have done, delivered them into the hands of David. And now Ish-bosheth was chiding him simply because of a woman? He saw it as totally unacceptable. Then in his anger he swore that he would do for David just as YHWH had sworn to him, make him king over all Israel. There is an indication here that he was aware that in maintaining Ish-bosheth as king he was going against the will of YHWH. He was admitting that he knew what YHWH really wanted, and had fought against it. We should therefore see all that subsequently happened to him in that light. <\/p>\n 2Sa 3:10<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n “<\/strong> To transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul, and to set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beer-sheba.” <\/p>\n And what was YHWH’s purpose for David? It was that He would transfer the kingship of Israel from the house of Saul to the house of David, and set up David as king over all Israel and Judah, ‘from Dan to Beersheba’. Dan in the north and Beersheba in the south, in the Negeb, were always seen as the northern and southern limits to the land. The phrase was thus indicating the whole land (compare 1Sa 3:20<\/span>). It is an indication that with all their tribal divisions Israel\/Judah were in another way seen as potentially one whole. <\/p>\n 2Sa 3:11<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n ‘<\/strong> And he could not answer Abner another word, because he feared him.’ <\/p>\n The silence of Ish-bosheth at this juncture spoke volumes. Having plucked up the courage to challenge Abner (there had probably been much comment in the court) it demonstrated that he was so terrified of Abner that he dared do nothing more. It made him fully aware that he was powerless to do anything to prevent Abner doing precisely what he wanted. So much for his position as king of Israel. <\/p>\n 2Sa 3:12<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n ‘<\/strong> And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, “Whose is the land?” saying also, “Make your league with me, and, look, my hand will be with you, to bring about all Israel to you.” <\/p>\n Had Abner been wise he would have recognised that in fact he had won and have left things as they were. But in the event he carried out his threat. This seems to suggest that he had already been considering betraying Ish-bosheth to David and finally made this his excuse. Thus he sent messengers to David to speak on his behalf, asking whose the land of Israel was? The implication was that it was ‘open to grabs’. Then he promised that if David would enter into a league with him he would use all his power and authority to bring all Israel to David’s feet. He was still determined to be the king-maker. But he was to learn that David was made of harder mettle. <\/p>\n 2Sa 3:13<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n ‘<\/strong> And he said, “Well. I will make a league with you. But one thing I require of you, that is, you shall not see my face, except you first bring Michal, Saul’s daughter, when you come to see my face.” ’ <\/p>\n David answered in a measured fashion. He said that he considered the proposal was a good one, and agreed to make a league with Abner, but only on condition that his previous wife Michal, the daughter of Saul, was delivered up to him. Until that had happened he would not meet Abner face to face. He wanted him to know who was in charge. <\/p>\n His demand was also significant because if Michal was delivered up to him as his true wife, all would know that he was therefore seen by Abner as the true heir of Saul. It would be reuniting him to the house of Saul in a position of privilege as the acknowledged son-in-law of Saul. <\/p>\n 2Sa 3:14<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n ‘<\/strong> And David sent messengers to Ish-bosheth, Saul’s son, saying, “Deliver me my wife Michal, whom I betrothed to myself for a hundred foreskins of the Philistines.” ’ <\/p>\n At around the same time as he sent his message to Abner David also on his own initiative sent a message to Ish-bosheth demanding the return of Michal on the grounds that he had betrothed her to him for a hundred foreskins of the Philistines, a marriage gift that had never been returned to him. It was an indication of David’s awareness of the superiority of his army that he made the demand, for it would fly in the face of Ish-bosheth’s own kingship. It was also a pointed reminder to Abner not to see him as dependent on Abner. He wanted it recognised that if he did make a league with Abner, it would be on his own terms. <\/p>\n 2Sa 3:15<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n ‘<\/strong> And Ish-bosheth sent, and took her from her husband, even from Paltiel the son of Laish.’ <\/p>\n It was also an indication of Ish-bosheth’s awareness of his own weakness that he meekly submitted to David as he had to Abner, for he sent and took Michal from her second husband, Paltiel, the son of Laish (of whom nothing is known apart from the fact that he dearly loved Michal) and sent her to David. It was an indication of just how weak Ish-bosheth was. It had reached a point where he did not dare to refuse to do what David wanted. First he had been afraid of Abner. Now he was afraid of David. <\/p>\n It should, however, be noted that David’s request was not unreasonable. His wife had been taken from him by force when he had been outlawed, and Ancient Near Eastern law allowed in such a case for a man to take his wife back once he was no longer outlawed, or when he was released from foreign captivity. So anyone who married such a wife recognised that if the husband did ever return, he might lose his wife back to him. This was thus not a breach of Deu 24:1-4<\/span>. But what it would be was a recognition that David was no longer to be seen as outside the pale. <\/p>\n 2Sa 3:16<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n ‘<\/strong> And her husband went with her, weeping as he went, and followed her to Bahurim. Then said Abner to him, “Go, return,” and he returned.’ <\/p>\n Paltiel was heart broken at losing his wife, and tearfully followed her all the way to Bahurim, until Abner told him to return home. In all the power politics here was the real loser, the poor, innocent, unimportant Paltiel, although we should note that in agreeing to marry Michal he had risked this happening. He must have known what he was doing. <\/p>\n Such was Abner’s power that when he ordered him to return home and forget about Michal, he dared not refuse, in spite of his grief. Abner had truly made himself strong in the house of Saul (2Sa 3:6<\/span>). <\/p>\n Bahurim is modern Ras et-Tmim which is to the east of Mount Scopus near Jerusalem. A man of Bahurim, Shimei, would later curse David as David and his men were passing by when he was fleeing from Absalom (2Sa 16:5<\/span>). It was also at Bahurim that some of David’s men would hide in a well when evading discovery by Absalom’s men (2Sa 17:17-21<\/span>). <\/p>\n III. Abners quarrel with Ishbosheth, defection from the House of Saul and transition to David<\/em><\/p>\n 2Sa 3:7-21<\/span><\/p>\n 7And Saul had a concubine whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah, and Ishbosheth<\/em>4<\/span> said to Abner, Wherefore hast thou gone in unto my fathers concubine?5<\/span> 8Then was Abner [And Abner was] very wroth for the words of Ishbosheth, and said, Am I a dogs head which against Judah6<\/span> [a dogs head on Judahs side?] [ins<\/em>. I] do show kindness this day [to-day] unto the house of Saul thy father, to his brethren and to his friends, and have not delivered thee into the hand of David, that 9[and] thou chargest me to-day with a fault concerning this [the] woman? [!] So do God to Abner and more also except, as the Lord [Jehovah] hath sworn to David, even so I do to him, 10To translate the kingdom from the house of Saul, and to set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beersheba. 11And he could not answer Abner a word again, because he feared him.<\/p>\n 12And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf [or<\/em> in his stead7<\/span>], saying, Whose is the land?8<\/span> saying also<\/em> [om<\/em>. also], Make thy league [covenant] with me, and behold, my hand shall be with thee to bring about [to turn] all Israel unto 13thee. And Hebrews 9<\/span> said, Well; I will make a league [covenant] with thee; but one thing I require of thee, that is, Thou shalt not see my face except10<\/span> thou first7 [om<\/em>. first] bring Michal, Sauls daughter, when thou comest to see my face. 14And David sent messengers to Ishbosheth, Sauls son, saying, Deliver [Give] me<\/em>11<\/span> my wife Michal, which [whom] I espoused to me for an hundred foreskins of the Philistines. 15And Ishbosheth sent and took her from her<\/em> husband, even<\/em> from Phaltiel the son of Laish.12<\/span> 16And her husband went with her along weeping behind her to Bahurim. Then said Abner [And Abner said] unto him, Go, return. And he returned.<\/p>\n 17And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, Ye sought for 18David in times past13<\/span> to be king over you; Now, then, do it; for the Lord [Jehovah] hath spoken of14<\/span> David, saying, By the hand of my servant David I will15<\/span> save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines and out of the hand of all their enemies. 19And Abner also16<\/span> spake in the ears of Benjamin; and Abner went also13 to speak in the ears of David in Hebron all that seemed good to Israel and that seemed good<\/em> [om<\/em>. that seemed good] to the whole house of Benjamin. So [And] 20Abner came to17<\/span> David to Hebron and twenty men with him. And David made Abner and the men that were with him a feast. 21And Abner said unto David, I will arise and go, and will gather all Israel unto my lord the king, that they18<\/span> may make a league [covenant] with thee, and that thou mayest reign over all that thine heart desireth. And David sent Abner away, and he went in peace.<\/p>\n IV. Murder of Abner by Joab<\/em>. 2Sa 3:22-39<\/span><\/p>\n 22And behold the servants of David and Joab came from pursuing<\/em> a troop [came from an expedition19<\/span>], and brought in a great spoil with them. But [And] Abner was not with David in Hebron, for he had sent him away and he was gone in peace. 23When Joab and all the host that was with him were come, they told Joab, saying, Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he hath sent him away, and he is gone in peace. 24Then Joab came to the king and said, What hast thou done? behold, Abner came unto thee; why is it that thou hast sent him away, and he is quite [om<\/em>. quite20<\/span>] gone? 25Thou knowest Abner the son of Ner21<\/span> that he came to deceive thee, and to know thy going out and thy coming in, and to know all that thou doest. 26And when [Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n