Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
They were wont to speak in old time—The translation of the Margin gives a better meaning, which is to this effect: When the people saw thee lay siege to Abel, they said, Surely he will ask if we will have peace, for the law (Deuteronomy 20:10) prescribes that he should offer peace to strangers, much more then to Israelitish cities; and if he do this, we shall soon bring things to an amicable agreement, for we are a peaceable people. The answer of Joab brings out the character of that ruthless veteran as a patriot at heart, who, on securing the author of this insurrection, was ready to put a stop to further bloodshed and release the peaceable inhabitants from all molestation.
Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing 2 Samuel 20:19:
2 Samuel 20:16
Ecclesiastes 9:14-15
Jeremiah 15:8
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