They caught every one his fellow by the head— i.e. By the hair of the head, or beard. See 2 Samuel 20:9. Plutarch tells us, in his Apophthegms, that all things being prepared for a battle, Alexander's captains asked him, whether he had any thing else to command them? "Nothing," said he, "but that the Macedonians shave their beards." Parmenio wondering what he meant, "Don't you know," replied he, "that there is no better hold in fight than the beard."
REFLECTIONS.—The ambition of Abner, (who was general to Saul,) and zeal for his family, prevail upon him to set up Ish-bosheth, the only surviving and legitimate son of Saul as king; and whilst David, in dependance upon God's promises, remained quiet at Hebron, Abner, by his assiduity, gained over the land of Gilead beyond Jordan first, and then all the tribes but Judah, to acknowledge Ish-bosheth. And thus began that competition which, after two years of peace and five of war, terminated in the death of Ish-bosheth, and the entire submission of all the tribes to David. Note; Before we come to the throne, our faith will be tried, and we must expect war in the gates.
1. Abner begins the war, which, as it seems, David would never have entered into, though his right to the crown was so evident, if he had not been obliged; so desirous was he, rather to preserve the lives of those who should be his future subjects, than treat them now as rebels against his crown.
2. Abner seeing Joab, probably, backward to engage, David being unwilling to shed Israelitish blood, challenges him to produce twelve men of Judah, against twelve of his Israelites, to play before them, that is, fight so many duels; for, to a fierce warrior, blood and wounds are sport and pastime. Joab, like too many, had entertained those false notions of honour, according to which he dared not refuse the challenge; the men are selected, matched, enter the lists, and engage: each instantly seizes his fellow, plunges his sword into the other's side, and all of them fall together; so lavish are generals often of the lives of their brave soldiers, to gratify their caprice. The place, from this occurrence, is called הצרים חלקת cehelkath hazzurim, The Field of Rocks, from the brave men, hardy and firm as rocks, who fell there. Note; (1.) They buy honour very dear, who purchase it at the expence of their brother's blood. (2.) False notions of honour are among the accursed wiles that Satan employs for the destruction both of men's bodies and souls.
3. The general battle hereupon ensues, and Abner and his forces are routed. They who thus stir up strife, often meddle to their own hurt; and it is just in God, to punish the aggressor, and cover those with shame who seek to advance themselves upon their neighbour's ruin.