But Joab and Abishai pursued Abner. The sun went down when they had come to the hill of Ammah, that lies before Giah by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon.
Parallel Translations
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But Joab and Abishai pursued Abner. The sun went down when they had come to the hill of Ammah, that lies before Giah by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon.
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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.
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But Joab 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.
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John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain 2Sa 2:24 Joab also and Abishai pursued after Abner:…
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.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain Joab also and Abishai pursued after Abner,.... Or rather…
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:
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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.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain Ammah ... Giah - Local, and otherwise unknown names.
Ammah ... Giah - Local, and otherwise unknown names.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain Wilderness, or land which was not ploughed, though fruitful.
Wilderness, or land which was not ploughed, though fruitful.
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain 24. Ammah… Giah — Places now unknown. Such incidental…
24. Ammah… Giah — Places now unknown. Such incidental allusions to places long since forgotten furnish evidence of the genuineness and credibility of the history.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain 24–32. The Pursuit. Asahel’s burial
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.
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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.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain (24) The hill of Ammah.—No identification of either Ammah…
(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.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain Josh also and Abishai pursued after Abner; really, but…
Josh also and Abishai pursued after Abner; really, but Joab and Abishai pursued, and so the Revised Version. The sight of their slaughtered brother made them only the more determined in the pursuit, and doubtless, at their command, the soldiers would leave Asahel and follow their commanders. Of the "hill of Ammah" and Giah we know nothing; but it is evident that no halt was made until sunset.
Vers. 24-29. (GIBEON)
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War.
"Shall the sword devour forever?" (ver. 26; 2Sa_11:25) The sword is more destructive than ravenous beasts, famine, pestilence (2Sa_24:13; Lev_26:26) earthquake, tempest, or fire. The history of its ravages constitutes a considerable portion of the history of mankind. Of these we have here a slight but noteworthy instance. Twenty-four brave men of the same nation (half of them chosen from each of the opposing forces) fell, pierced by each other"s weapons. In the succeeding battle and flight several hundreds were slain (ver. 31). At sunset the defeated general rallied his scattered troops on the hill of Ammah, and appealed to the commander of the pursuing forces to withdraw them and avert the bitter consequences that would otherwise ensue. "Now the battle is going against him he complains of the devouring sword; and, though it had been employed but a few hours, it seemed long to him a sort of eternity" (Gill). Joab answered that but for his challenge in the morning there would have been no conflict at all; but (probably as yet unacquainted with the death of his brother Asahel) he sounded a retreat (ver. 28); and Abner and his men forthwith departed, not to Gibeon, but across the Jordan to Mahanaim (ver. 29). Regarding the question not merely as the utterance of Abner, nor from an Old Testament point of view, we may take it as expressive of
I A CONVICTION OF THE EVILS OF WAR. "Shall the sword devour forever?" By it:
1. Numberless lives are consumed. The immediate and avowed object of war is the destruction of men"s lives; and its most effective instruments (to the Construction of which the utmost ingenuity is devoted) are those that destroy the greatest number in the shortest possible time. "War is the work, the element, or rather the sport and triumph of death, who glories not only in the extent of his conquest, but in the richness of his spoil" (R. Hall, "Reflections on War"). Since its ravages began many times more than the whole number of the present population of the globe have probably been its victims.
2. Incalculable snfferings are inflicted; on those who are left to die on the field, or are borne to hospitals and linger out a miserable existence; on the non-combatant population among whom the devourer pursues his way; on whole nations and multitudes of desolate and sorrowing homes far distant from the scene of strife.
3. Enormous cost is incurred; in the maintenance of armies and the provision of materiel, besides the withdrawal of great numbers from the operations of productive industry and serious interference with commerce; immense national debts are accumulated and burdensome taxes imposed on present and succeeding generations. There are nearly thirteen millions of men in Europe who have been trained for arms, and between four and five millions actually under arms, costing in all ways about five hundred millions sterling a year. The sum total of the national debts of the European nations amounts to nearly five thousand millions of pounds ("Statesman"s Year-Book").
4. A pernicious influence is exerted, with respect to morality and religion.
does more harm to the morals of men than even their property and their persons" (Erasmus). It has its origin in unregulated desire (James, 1Jn_2:16) which it excites, manifests, and intensifies. "The causes of all wars may be reduced to five heads: ambition, avarice, revenge, providence (precaution), and defence" (Owen Feltham, "Resolves"). "If the existence of war always implies injustice in one at least of the parties concerned, it is also the fruitful parent of crimes. It reverses, with respect to its objects, all the rules of morality. It is nothing less than a temporary repeal of the principles of virtue. It is a system out of which almost all the virtues are excluded and on which nearly all the vices are incorporated" (R. Hall). What angry feelings does it stir up between nations whom "God hath made of one blood"! What infuriated passions does it arouse in contending armies! What cruel deeds does it commend! What iniquitous courses of conduct does it induce! What false views of glory does it inculcate! What bitter and lasting enmities does it leave behind!
One murder makes a villain, Millions a hero! Princes were privileged to kill, And numbers sanctified the crime! Ah! why will kings forget that they are men, And men that they are brethren? Why delight; In human sacrifice? Why burst the ties Of nature, that should knit their souls together In one soft bond of amity and love? (Bishop Porteus.)
Is war, then, under all circumstances, inexpedient and wrong? It is maintained that:
(1) The state, like the individual, has a natural right of self-defence, and is bound (in fulfilment of the purpose for which it exists) to protect its citizens by repelling external invasion as well as repressing internal violence (Whewell, "Elements of Morality;" Paley; Gisborne; Mozley, "University Sermons").
(2) By means of war national subjection is sometimes prevented, national grievances are redressed, national honour is upheld, aggression checked, pride abased, liberty, peace, and prosperity secured, patriotism kindled, powerful energies and heroic virtues developed.
(3) It has often received the Divine sanction (Exo_17:14; Joshua 1Sa_11:6) "Perpetual peace is a dream, and it is not even a beautiful dream. War is an element in the order of the world ordained by God. In it the noblest virtues of mankind are developed courage and the abnegation of self, faithfulness to duty, and the spirit of sacrifice; the soldier gives his life. Without war the world would stagnate and lose itself in materialism" (Von Moltke). But this is the view of one who has been "a man of war from his youth" and "shed much blood". (1Ch_22:8)
And it may be said that:
(1) War is not ordained by God like tempests and earthquakes or even pestilence, but is directly due to the wickedness of men. That which is in itself evil, however, often becomes an occasion of good.
(2) "There is at least equal scope for courage and magnanimity in blessing as in destroying mankind. The condition of the human race offers inexhaustible objects for enterprise and fortitude and magnanimity. In relieving the countless wants and sorrows of the world, in exploring unknown regions, in carrying the arts and virtues of civilization to unimproved communities, in extending the bounds of knowledge, in diffusing the spirit of freedom, and especially in spreading the light and influence of Christianity, how much may be dared, how much endured!" (Channing).
(3) The right of resistance to evil is limited, and does not justify the taking away of life (Wayland, "Elements of Moral Science;" Dymond, "Essays").
(4) No advantages gained by war are an adequate compensation for the miseries inflicted by it; less suffering is experienced and higher honour acquired by enduring wrong than avenging it; the exercise of justice, forbearance, and active benevolence is the most effectual means of averting injury and securing safety and happiness.
(5) The Divine sanction given to specific wars in the Old Testament was not given to war in general, and it does not justify the wars which are waged, without the like authority, at the present time.
(6) War is virtually forbidden by numerous precepts and the whole spirit of the New Testament (Mat_5:9, Mat_5:39, 44 26:52; Rom_12:18; 1Th_5:15; 1Pe_2:23 1Pe_3:9-13) The most that can be said is that "any principles upon which the Christian casuist would justify war in certain circumstances would not justify perhaps one in ten of the wars that have been waged" (J. Foster, "Lectures," vol. 2.).
II AN APPEAL FOB THE CESSATION OF STRIPE. "Shall the sword devour forever?" Its ravages may be stayed; and means must be employed for that end, such as:
1. The consideration of the real nature and terrible consequences of war; and the education of the people, especially the young, so that they may cease to admire military glory and to be beguiled by "the pomp and circumstance of war may feel an intense aversion to it, and seek in other ways their common interest and true elevation.
2. The adoption of political measures for the settlement of internationaldisputes and the removal of causes of strife; viE. arbitration by friendly powers, the reduction and disbandment of standing armies, etc.
3. The repression of evil passions in ourselves and others.
4. The practice and diffusion of Christian principles; which indispose all inwhom they dwell to break the peace themselves, and dispose them to make peace among others. "The sons of peace are the sons of God.
III AN ANTICIPATION OF TEE PREVALENCE or PEACE, "Shall the sword devour forever?" Surely not. The hope of universal peace is warranted from:
1. The advancing intelligence of men, the growth of popular government( making war less dependent than heretofore on the arbitrary will of rulers), the possession of "nobler modes of life, with sweeter manners, purer laws.
2. The better understanding and more perfect realization of the spirit ofChristianity.
3. The overruling Providence and quickening Spirit of "the God of peace.
4. The express predictions of his Word concerning the effects of the reignof "the Prince of Peace" (Isa_9:7; Mic_4:3 Mic_5:2, Mic_5:5; Psa_72:7) "It is in war that the power of the beast culminates in the history of the world. This beast will then be destroyed. The true humanity which sin has choked up will gain the mastery, and the world"s history will keep sabbath. What the prophetic words affirm is a moral postulate, the goal of sacred history, the predicted counsel of God" (Delitzsch, on Isa_2:4).
O scenes surpassing fable and yet true; Scenes of accomplished bliss; which who can see (Though but in distant prospect) and not feel His soul refreshed with foretaste and with joy? (Cowper.)
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 This is the name of a man. (See: How…
Abishai
This is the name of a man. (See: How to Translate Names)
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hill of Ammah ... Giah
These are the names of places. (See: How to Translate Names)
translationWords
Abner
desert
Gibeon
Benjamin
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 2:24 they set out after Abner: See 3:27. •…
2:24 they set out after Abner: See 3:27. • Ammah (“conduit”) and Giah (“gushing”) suggest that there was an aqueduct system connected to the pool at Gibeon (2:12-13).
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.