2 Samuel 2

So Abraham's steward puts up his request to God, before he would put the business he came upon in execution (Genesis 24:12). David frequently in particular cases (1 Samuel 23:9; 2 Samuel 2:1; 2 Samuel 19:23). God only does what he pleases in heaven and in earth; he only can bles…

Remember you are no match for him (Isaiah 45:9): Woe to him, that strives with his maker; let the potsherds strive with the potsherds of the earth. As Abner said to Asahel (2 Samuel 2:21-22): Turn aside to your right hand, or to your left, and lay hold on one of the young men, a…

Goodness respects either the body, or the mind. Goodness concerning the body has many actions: as to feed the hungry, to give drink to the thirsty, to harbor the harborless, to clothe the naked, to visit the sick, and them that are in prison (Matthew 25:35-36), to bury the dead…

For standing we find it (1 Kings 8:22) at the dedication of the temple, Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord, and made that prayer. For sitting we have (2 Samuel 2:18) when Nathan brought that message to David concerning the building of the house of God, that it should be…

The fish swim down pleasantly in Jordan, but fall at last into the dead sea: the black sea of eternal horror, is the conclusion of all these sweet delights. As Abner to Ioab, 2 Sam. 2:26 Knowest you not that it will be bitterness in the latter end? These are they who come to a f…

What is it that the poor soul wants? Behold it is here provided, set out in order in the promises of the gospel; which are as the beds wherein these spices are set for our use; and on the account hereof, is the covenant said to be ordered in all things (2 Samuel 2:3-4). 3. Emine…

But then there's the direction of his counsel, and the latter is promised here, if we acknowledge God, and declare our ways to him, God will counsel us. And David did thus declare his way upon all occasions (2 Samuel 2:1). David inquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go up into a…

Sin is a root that bears gall and wormwood (Deuteronomy 29:18). As Abner said to Joab about the devouring sword (2 Samuel 2:26), so I say to you concerning sin that devourer of immortal souls, do you know not that it will be bitterness in the latter end? What will that sin of dr…

Ungodly young men are apt to proceed from wrathful words to revengeful blows: in their passion they'll make bloody work of it. There were a number of young men (above twenty of them) that every one thrust his sword in his fellow's side until they fell down together (2 Samuel 2:1…

Though others may outrun us, yet if we hold on to the end of the race we shall receive the reward. Some saints are like Asahel, light of foot as a roe (2 Samuel 2:18); they run swifter in the race of obedience, as Ahimaaz outran Cushi (2 Samuel 18:23). But this is the comfort of…

This sin of adultery is a soul-damning sin (1 Corinthians 6:9); the adulterer like the fly, does so long fly about the candle, that at last he singes his soul. This sin, though it begins comical, it ends tragical; will it not be bitterness in the end (2 Samuel 2:26)? This sweet…

Use 2: May teach us to take heed of resting in the estate of nature, or in a course of sin, for make account this will be bitter in the end, it will either be bitter in your repentance, when God calls you home to himself, or bitter in the nethermost hell, when God's wrath breaks…

Now it is not likely that a child could hurt Lamech. Neither must this seem strange: for the most valiant men that David and Ishbosheth had, are called hannegnaiim, the boys of Abner and Joab (2 Samuel 2:14). And the like phrase is used in other languages.