Tyndale Open Study Notes2 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.”

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.

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.

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).