2 Samuel 2:9

9. Gilead The mountainous region east of the Jordan. See map, page 234.

The Ashurites Who these were it is impossible to determine. They could not have been the people of Asshur, (Assyria,) nor the Asshurim of Genesis 25:3. Better is the reading of the Chaldee, the house of Asher, by which is meant the territory of the tribe of Asher in the north of Palestine, and the adjacent country north of the plain of Jezreel. The Vulgate, Syriac, and Arabic read, the Geshurites. But these could not have been the Geshurites of 1 Samuel 27:8, nor is it likely that Ishbosheth reigned over the kingdom of Talmai, whose daughter David had taken to wife. 2 Samuel 3:3.

Jezreel The city and great plain of this name. See on Joshua 15:56; Joshua 17:16. This great plain was mainly occupied by the tribes of Issachar and Zebulun.

Over all Israel With the exception, of course, of Judah, over which David had been anointed king. The recovering of all the territory specified in this verse, and the subjecting of it to Ishbosheth, probably occupied Abner and his army some time. See on 2 Samuel 2:10.