Commentaries:
Barnes' Notes
Forty ... two - The numerals are somewhat strange. First, as regards the 40 years. Even assuming that Ish-bosheth' s reign did not commence until five and a half years after Saul' s death, which must have been the case if the two years in the text gives the true length of his reign, it is startling to hear of Saul' s younger son being 35 years old at his father' s death, born consequently some three years before his father' s accession, and five years older than David, the bosom friend of his older brother Jonathan. The age, too, of Jonathan' s child, Mephibosheth, who was five years old at his father' s death, would lead one to expect rather a less age for his uncle. Next, as regards the two years. Since David (compare II Samuel 2:11; and marginal references) reigned seven years in Hebron over Judah only, it follows, if the two years in the text are correct, either that an interval of five years elapsed between Ish-bosheth' s death and David' s being anointed "king over all Israel," or that a like interval elapsed between Saul' s death and the commencement of Ish-bosheth' s reign. Of the two the latter is the more probable, and has the advantage of diminishing Ish-bosheth' s age by between five and six years. But the narrative in 2 Sam. 3; II Samuel 4:1-12 of the "long war," of the birth of David' s six sons, and of Abner' s conspiracy and death, seems to imply a longer time than two years, in which case both the numerals would have to be corrected.
Other Barnes' Notes entries containing 2 Samuel 2:10:
1 Chronicles 10:6
Hosea 5:5
DISCLAIMER: Church of the Great God (CGG) provides these resources to aid the individual in studying the Bible. However, it is up to the individual to "prove all things, and hold fast to that which is good" (I Thessalonians 5:21). The content of these resources does not necessarily reflect the views of CGG. They are provided for information purposes only.
Start Your Day with Scripture
Begin your day with God's Word — the Berean brings Scripture and commentary every morning.
Join 150,000+ subscribers growing daily in God's Word.
