Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

And there went out after him Joab's men,.... Who though he was removed from his post as general, yet might still have the command of a regiment:

and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites; over whom Benaiah was, 2 Samuel 20:23; these attended David in his flight, and had now returned with him, 2 Samuel 15:18,

and all the mighty men; the military men that were at Jerusalem as many as could be spared:

and they went out of Jerusalem to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri; with Abishai at the head of them; Josephus^F17Antiqu. l. 7. c. 11. sect. 7. says there were six hundred, besides the soldiers at Jerusalem that went on this pursuit.

Wesley's Explanatory Notes

And there went out after him Joab's men, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, and all the mighty men: and they went out of Jerusalem, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.

Joab's men — The remainders of Joab's army who were there present, with whom also Joab might go as a reformade, watching an opportunity to do what he designed.

John Trapp Complete Commentary

2 Samuel 20:7 And there went out after him Joab’s men, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, and all the mighty men: and they went out of Jerusalem, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.

Ver. 7. Joab’s men.] Those that had lately been commanded by him: but he was now Officiperda, which yet held not long, for he would not be ousted.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

Joab’s men; the remainders of Joab’s army who were there present, with whom also Joab might go as a reformade, watching an opportunity to do what he designed. Of the Cherethites and the Pelethites, See Poole on "2 Samuel 8:18".

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

7.Joab’s men — The body of soldiers that usually fought under Joab’s immediate command. From what follows we see that Joab also went with them, probably in command of his own body of men, but not as captain of the host. He cherished a terrible purpose of revenge on the man who had taken his office in the army, but he kept his purpose to himself until the proper time for its accomplishment.

Cherethites’ Pelethites — Executioners and runners of foreign origin. See on 2 Samuel 8:18.

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

Men. It seems Joab accompanied them, though in a manner divested of his command, by the king's appointing Amasa, and then Abisai, to his exclusion. After the slaughter of the former, he resumed his authority; (ver. 10) and David was forced to acquiesce, for fear of another civil war, reserving his punishment for more peaceable times. (Haydock)

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

men. Hebrew. "enosh. App-14.

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Unabridged

And there went out after him Joab's men, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, and all the mighty men: and they went out of Jerusalem, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.

No JFB commentary on this verse.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(7) Joab’s men.—The body of men who were usually under Joab’s immediate command, and who would readily follow his brother, whom they had been accustomed to see associated with him. On “the Che-rethites and the Pelethites,” see Note on 2 Samuel 8:18. “The mighty men” (see 2 Samuel 23:8) appear to have been an especial body of heroes, probably made up chiefly of those who had been with David in his life as an outlaw.

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

23; 8:16,18; 15:18; 23:22,23; 1 Kings 1:38,44