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Selected Verse: 2 Samuel 2:27 - King James

Verse	Translation	Text
2Sa 2:27	King James	And Joab said, As God liveth, unless thou hadst spoken, surely then in the morning the people had gone up every one from following his brother.

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Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
Joab's speech means either "unless thou hadst spoken (challenged us to fight, Sa2 2:14), the people would have returned from the pursuit of their brethren (many hours ago, even) this morning;" or, "If thou hadst not spoken (asked for peace, Sa2 2:26), surely the people would have returned, etc., in the morning, i. e. would not have ceased the pursuit until the morning." The latter interpretation is the more accordant with Joab's boastful character.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]

Joab's speech means either "unless thou hadst spoken (challenged us to fight, Sa2 2:14), the people would have returned from the pursuit of their brethren (many hours ago, even) this morning;" or, "If thou hadst not spoken (asked for peace, Sa2 2:26), surely the people would have returned, etc., in the morning, i. e. would not have ceased the pursuit until the morning." The latter interpretation is the more accordant with Joab's boastful character.

Commentary on the Old Testament, by Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch [1857-78]
Joab replied, "If thou hadst not spoken (i.e., challenged to single combat, Sa2 2:14), the people would have gone away in the morning, every one from his brother," i.e., there would have been no such fratricidal conflict at all. The first כּי introduces the substance of the oath, as in Sa1 25:34; the second gives greater force to it (vid., Ewald, 330, b.). Thus Joab threw all the blame of the fight upon Abner, because he had been the instigator of the single combat; and as that was not decisive, and was so bloody in its character, the two armies had felt obliged to fight it out. But he then commanded the trumpet to be blown for a halt, and the pursuit to be closed.

Commentary on the Old Testament, by Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch [1857-78]

Joab replied, "If thou hadst not spoken (i.e., challenged to single combat, Sa2 2:14), the people would have gone away in the morning, every one from his brother," i.e., there would have been no such fratricidal conflict at all. The first כּי introduces the substance of the oath, as in Sa1 25:34; the second gives greater force to it (vid., Ewald, 330, b.). Thus Joab threw all the blame of the fight upon Abner, because he had been the instigator of the single combat; and as that was not decisive, and was so bloody in its character, the two armies had felt obliged to fight it out. But he then commanded the trumpet to be blown for a halt, and the pursuit to be closed.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
Unless, &c. - Unless thou hadst made the motion that they should fight, Sa2 2:14. It was thou, not I, that gave the first occasion of this fight. Abner was the sole cause of this war; otherwise all things had been ended by an amicable agreement: which might have been made that very morning, if he had so pleased.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]

Unless, &c. - Unless thou hadst made the motion that they should fight, Sa2 2:14. It was thou, not I, that gave the first occasion of this fight. Abner was the sole cause of this war; otherwise all things had been ended by an amicable agreement: which might have been made that very morning, if he had so pleased.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
And Joab said - The meaning of this verse appears to be this: If Abner had not provoked the battle, (see Sa2 2:14), Joab would not have attacked the Israelites that day; as his orders were probably to act on the defensive. Therefore the blame fell upon Israel.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826

And Joab said - The meaning of this verse appears to be this: If Abner had not provoked the battle, (see Sa2 2:14), Joab would not have attacked the Israelites that day; as his orders were probably to act on the defensive. Therefore the blame fell upon Israel.

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