And his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;
Study Helps
Interpretation
The length of this war tried the faith and patience of David, and made his settlement at last the more welcome. The contest between grace and corruption in the hearts of believers, may fitly be compared to this warfare.
Read with
This thought runs through 2 Samuel 3:2-5.
Glossary
- Abigail Person
- Father (i. e., “leader”) of the dance, or “of joy. ” (1. ) The sister of David, and wife of Jether an Ishmaelite ( 1 Chr. 2:16 , 17). She was the mother of Amasa ( 2 Sam. 17:25 ).
- Absalom Person
- Father of peace; i. e., “peaceful” David’s son by Maacah ( 2 Sam. 3:3 ; comp. 1 Kings 1:6 ). He was noted for his personal beauty and for the extra-ordinary profusion of the hair of his head ( 2 Sam. 14:25 ,26).
- Carmel Place
- Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Khirbet el Kirmil.
- Geshur Place
- Bridge, the name of a district or principality of Syria near Gilead, between Mount Hermon and the Lake of Tiberias ( 2 Sam. 15:8 ; 1 Chr. 2:23 ). Modern identification: Fiq.
- Talmai Person
- Abounding in furrows. (1. ) One of the Anakim of Hebron, who were slain by the men of Judah under Caleb ( Num. 13:22 ; Josh. 15:14 ; Judg. 1:10 ).