2 Samuel 20

We have no share in David: The northern Israelites used this same rallying cry to break away from Solomon (1 Kings 12:16). Sheba’s failed revolt hinted at the eventual downfall of the northern kingdom, which began with a similar revolt by Jeroboam (1 Kings 12).

The ten concubines (2 Samuel 15:16) whom Absalom had publicly mistreated (16:21–22) faced a fate similar to Michal’s (see 6:23 and 2 Samuel 6:23).

The king made Amasa the new commander of the armies, replacing Joab (2 Samuel 19:13–14). David expected Amasa to be as efficient and effective as Joab.

the Cherethites, the Pelethites: See study note on 2 Samuel 8:18.

to kiss him: This was a common greeting that showed respect and warmth. However, such greetings were not always sincere (compare 2 Samuel 14:33).

Amasa … died: This was the second time Joab killed an enemy commander through deceit. The first was Abner (2 Samuel 3:26–27). David tried twice to unite enemy groups by including the enemy's military leader (2 Samuel 3:6–13; 17:25; 19:13). Both times, Joab ruined David's plans by deceitfully murdering the rival commander (2 Samuel 3:22–30).

Abel-beth-maacah was in the northernmost region of Israelite territory, 6.4 kilometers (4 miles) west of Dan.

A siege ramp was usually a dirt ramp constructed against a wall. It was a common method to break through a city's defenses (see also 2 Kings 25:1; Jeremiah 52:4).

wise woman: Compare 2 Samuel 14:2.

• The woman shared a saying to persuade Joab not to destroy the entire city, especially a noble one like Abel (short for Abel-beth-maacah, 2 Samuel 20:15), just to catch one criminal.

• a city that is a mother in Israel: It was common to refer to outlying villages around a larger city as its “daughters.”

In 2 Samuel 8:16, Joab was said to be "over the army," but here he is the commander of Israel's army. David gained full control of Israel after defeating the northern rebel groups.

This list of David’s leaders and the similar list in 2 Samuel 8:15–18 marks the beginning and end of chapters 9–20 in David’s life. Even after the major crises described in these 12 chapters, David’s rule did not collapse. He still had a complete and functioning administration.

Adoram: The officer in charge of forced labor (not mentioned in 2 Samuel:15–18; see also 1 Kings 4:6). This indicates that David now controlled Israel enough to collect taxes and slave labor across the kingdom (compare 1 Samuel 8:11–17).

Unlike David's personal priest (see 2 Samuel 8:18; 20:26 and corresponding notes), Zadok and Abiathar led public worship.

David’s personal priest was probably not a Levite but rather a special class of religious servant appointed for his royal court (see study note on 2 Samuel 8:18).