his progress. The town of Gibeon was built on the slope of a hill overlooking a wide and fertile valley. On

the eastern side of the hill deep down in a rock is a beautiful spring, the waters of which are drained into a

large rectangular pool, about seventy-two feet long and forty-two feet wide (comp. also Jeremiah 41:12).

South of this pool lay the army of Joab, north of it that of Abner. The two generals seem to have been

previously acquainted (ver. 22); and perhaps Abner may from the first have had in his mind the contingency

of having to make his peace with David. Be this as it may, the provocation to actual hostilities came once

more from Abner. On his proposal, -perhaps with a view to decide the conflict by a kind of duel, instead of

entering upon an internecine civil war - twelve young men from either side were to engage in a personal

But such was the embitterment and determination of parties, that each one rushed on his antagonist, and,

taking hold of him, buried his sword in his side; whence the spot obtained the name: "Plot of the sharp

blades." This bloody and, in the event, useless "game" having proved indecisive, a fierce battle ensued; or

rather, a rout of the Israelites, in which three hundred and sixty of them fell, as against nineteen of David's

seasoned and trained warriors. The pursuit was only stopped when night had fallen, and Abner had rallied

his scattered forces in a strong position on the top of a hill and then only at Abner's special request.247

An incident in that day's pursuit is specially recorded for its bearing on the after-history. Of the three sons

of Zeruiah, David's sister (1 Chronicles 2:16), - Abishai (1 Samuel 26:6), Joab, David's general-in-chief, and

Asahel - the youngest was "light of foot as one of the roes in the field." Flushed with the fight, the youth

singled out Abner, and followed him in his flight. After a little Abner, recognizing his pursuer, stood still.

Probably the youth thought this meant surrender. But Abner, having ascertained that his pursuer was really

Asahel, and deeming that his ambition would be satisfied if he carried away the armor of some enemy, bade

him gratify his wish on one of the men-at-arms around. When the youth, bent on the glory of slaying Abner

himself, nevertheless continued the pursuit, the captain once more stopped to expostulate. But neither the

well-meant and kindly -spoken warning of Abner, nor the manifest discrepancy of fighting power between

the two, could stay a lad intoxicated by perhaps a first success. To get rid of him, and almost in necessary

self-defense, Abner now struck behind him with the butt-end of his lance, which was probably sharpened

with a point, to be capable of being stuck in the ground (1 Samuel 26:7). Mortally wounded in "the

abdomen,"  248 the lad fell, and soon "died in the same place." The sight of one so young and brave

weltering in his blood and writhing in agony no doubt greatly increased the bitterness of that day's pursuit

(ver. 23).

The battle of Gibeon seems to have been followed rather by a protracted state of war249 than by any other

actual engagement between the forces of the two kings.

The general result is described as the h ouse of Saul waxing weaker and weaker, and that of David stronger

and stronger. Of both evidence appeared. The increasing political strength of David was shown, as usual

among Eastern monarchs, by the fresh alliances through marriage into which he now entered. These would

not only connect him with powerful families throughout the country, but prove to his subjects that he felt

himself safe in his position, and could now in the Oriental fashion found a royal house. On the other hand,

the dependence of Ish-bosheth upon Abner became constantly more evident and humiliating. At last the all-

powerful general took a public step which in those days was regarded as implying an open claim to the

succession to Saul's throne (comp. 2 Samuel 16:21; 1 Kings 2:21). Whether or not Abner had intended this

when he took Rizpah, Saul's concubine, or merely wished to gratify his passion, with utter and marked

disregard of the puppet whom it had suited his purpose to keep on the throne, Ish-bosheth at any rate

resented this last and crowning insult. But Abner, who had no doubt for some time seen the impossibility of

maintaining the present state of affairs (comp. ver. 17), was in no mood to brook even reproof. He broke into

coarse invective,250 and vowed to Ish-bosheth's face that he would henceforth espouse the cause of David,

and soon bring it to a successful issue. Nor did the wretched king even dare to reply.

If Ish-bosheth had regarded it as only the threat of an angry man, Abner at least was in full earnest.

Negotiations with David were forthwith set on foot. But they met with a preliminary condition - right and