Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible

Mahanaim - See 2 Samuel 2:8. The same reasons which induced Abner to choose it for Ishbosheth probablv made it a good rallying point for David. It was a strong city, in a well-provisioned country, with a mountainous district for retreat in case of need, and with a warlike and friendly population.

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible

THE DEPLOYMENT OF DAVID'S AND ABSALOM'S FORCES

"Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom crossed the Jordan with all the men of Israel. Now Absalom had set Amasa over the army instead of Joab. Amasa was the son of a man named Ithra the Ishmaelite, who had married Abigal the daughter of Nahash, sister of Zeruiah, Joab's mother. And Israel and Absalom encamped in the land of Gilead."

"David came to Mahanaim" (2 Samuel 17:24). This city was well located for a temporary capital, being situated in the midst of a very productive and fruitful area. Besides that, Abner had chosen it as the capital for Mephibosheth, indicating that it could easily be defended from attack and that it was strategically located. The same reasons commended it to David as his choice of a temporary location.

"Amasa ... the son of a man named Ithra the Ishmaelite who had married Abigal the daughter of Nahash, the sister of Zeruiah, Joab's mother" (2 Samuel 17:25). "Both Abigal and Zeruriah were David's sisters, daughters of Jesse; and the only probable way of reconciling this with 1 Chronicles 2:16-17 is to suppose that Nahash was Jesse's wife. If Zeruiah and Abigal were David's sisters only by the mother, then Nahash might be the name of her first husband."[23] There are many problems of this nature in the O.T. that defy any dogmatic solution because of the limited nature of the information provided.

As Payne noted, "These last two paragraphs show how everything was going David's way. He had plenty of time to organize and received ample provisions from the people; whereas, Absalom lost his most competent advisor and had to put up with an incompetent as his general."[24]

Due to the foolish decision of Absalom, a bloody war was now inevitable, involving all the people.

MANY OF THE PEOPLE RALLIED TO DAVID AT MAHANAIM

Absalom's popularity was not nearly as universal as he probably supposed, as indicated by the following:

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

Then David came to Mahanaim,.... A city on the other side Jordan in the tribe of Gad, Joshua 13:26, famous for its being the place where the angels of God met Jacob, Genesis 32:1; and was for some time the seat of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, 2 Samuel 2:8;

and Absalom passed over Jordan, he, and all the men of Israel with him; not directly after David, but some time after, when, according to the counsel of Hushai, he had gathered all the warlike men of Israel to him that he could, and with this army pursued his father; not content to drive him to the other side Jordan, sought to seize his person, and take away his life, and so secure the crown and kingdom to him, of which he made no doubt, having such a numerous army, on which he relied.

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Then David came to Mahanaim — in the high eastern country of Gilead, the seat of Ish-bosheth‘s government.

Absalom passed over Jordan — It is not said how long an interval elapsed, but there must have been sufficient time to make the intended levy throughout the kingdom.

Keil & Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary

The account of the civil war, which terminated with Absalom's defeat and death, is introduced in 2 Samuel 17:24-26 with a description of the relative position of the two hostile parties. David had come to Mahanaim, a city probably a fortified one, on the east of the Jordan, not far from the ford of the Jabbok (see at 2 Samuel 2:8). Absalom had also gone over the Jordan, “he and all the men with him,” i.e., all the fighting men that he had gathered together according to Hushai's advice, and encamped in the land of Gilead.

Wesley's Explanatory Notes

Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom passed over Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him.

Passed — Not speedily, but when all the men of Israel were gathered together according to Hushai's counsel.

John Trapp Complete Commentary

2 Samuel 17:24 Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom passed over Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him.

Ver. 24. Then David came to Mahanaim.] Where Jacob sometime had met with a double camp of angels, that made a lane for him, as it were. [Genesis 32:2] The remembrance of this was some relief doubtless to distressed David; for there God spoke with us, [Hosea 12:4] as he did likewise when he said to Joshua, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." [Hebrews 13:5]

And Absalom passed over Jordan.] In pursuit of his father, like an impious parricide: but not till he had got all the men of Israel to him, which was much for David’s advantage; for in the interim, David got together three potent armies, wherewith he worsted Absalom. [2 Samuel 18:1-33]

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

Mahanaim; a place in the country of Gilead, bordering upon the land of the Ammonites, 2 Samuel 17:27. See Genesis 32:2 2 Samuel 2:8.

Absalom passed over Jordan; not speedily, but when all the men of Israel were gathered together according to Hushai’s counsel, who are said to be with him here, as it follows.

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments

2 Samuel 17:24. David came to Mahanaim — A place in the country of Gilead, bordering upon the land of the Ammonites, lately the residence of Ish- bosheth, and anciently the resting-place of Jacob; where God had placed him under the protection of two hosts of angels. The king’s distress here, at this time, would naturally lead him to reflect on the distress of his great ancestor in the same place; when, being encompassed with a weak and helpless family of wives and children, as David now was, he received information that Esau was coming against him with a strong band of men. And Absalom passed over Jordan — Not immediately, but as soon as all the men of Israel, who are here said to be with him, were gathered together to him, according to Hushai’s counsel, which required some time, during which David had an opportunity to strengthen himself, by gathering an army also.

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

To the camp. The city of Mahanaim, the name of which in Hebrew, signifies The Camp. It was a city of note at that time; as appears from its having been chosen by Isoboseth for the place of his residence. (Challoner) --- The Vulgate often translates Mahanaim, or Manaim. See chap. ii. 8, 12. (Haydock) --- Him. It is not known how soon. But he probably waited till he had collected his forces. David had done the like, and was joined by the king of Ammon, ver. 27.

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

all. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Genus). App-6. The whole put for the greater part

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Unabridged

Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom passed over Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him.

Then David came to Mahanaim - in the high Eastern country of Gilead, the seat of Ish-bosheth's government.

Absalom passed over Jordan. It is not said how long an interval elapsed; but there must have been sufficient time to make the intended levy throughout the kingdom.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(24) Mahanaim.—See Note on 2 Samuel 2:8. The same reasons which made it a favourable place for the capital of Ish-bosheth, recommended it also as a place of refuge to David and a rallying point for his adherents.

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Mahanaim

2:8; Genesis 32:2; Joshua 13:26