John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 1. Now there was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David , etc.] The recent battle, though so much in favour of David, did not, put an end to the war between him and Ishbosheth, which lasted five years longer; for it was when Ishbosheth had reigned two years that that battle was fought, and he reigned five years longer; for not till his death, and when David had reigned above seven years in Hebron, was he made king over all Israel; and during this time peace was not made, but the war carried on; though perhaps not in pitched battles, of which we no more read, but in skirmishes: but David waxed stronger and stronger ; he having the advantage in all such skirmishes, and persons continually coming over to his side from the several tribes: and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker : being always worsted whenever they skirmished with David’s men, and by continual revolts from them. This is reckoned an emblem of the kingdoms of Christ and antichrist, the one increasing more and more, as it has and will do, and the other decreasing, and before long will be consumed; and of the two parties in a regenerate man, grace and indwelling sin, the one as to its exercise growing stronger and stronger, and the other as to its influence on the outward conversation weaker and weaker.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-6 - The length of this war tried the faith and patience of David, and mad his settlement at last the more welcome. The contest between grace an corruption in the hearts of believers, may fitly be compared to thi warfare. There is a long war between them, the flesh lusting agains the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh; but as the work of holiness is carried on, corruption, like the house of Saul, grow weaker and weaker; while grace, like the house of David, grows stronge and stronger.
Original Hebrew ותהי1961 המלחמה4421 ארכה752 בין996 בית1004 שׁאול7586 ובין996 בית1004 דוד1732 ודוד1732 הלך1980 וחזק2390 ובית1004 שׁאול7586 הלכים1980 ודלים׃1800
