31 The war between the house of Saul and the house of David dragged on and on. The longer it went on the stronger David became, with the house of Saul getting weaker.
2 During the Hebron years, sons were born to David: Amnon, born of Ahinoam of Jezreel - the firstborn; 3 Kileab, born of Abigail of Carmel, Nabal's widow - his second; Absalom, born of Maacah, daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur - the third; 4 Adonijah, born of Haggith - the fourth; Shephatiah, born of Abital - the fifth; 5 Ithream, born of Eglah - the sixth. These six sons of David were born in Hebron.
6 Abner took advantage of the continuing war between the house of Saul and the house of David to gain power for himself.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Samuel 3:1-6
Commentary on 2 Samuel 3:1-6
(Read 2 Samuel 3:1-6)
The length of this war tried the faith and patience of David, and made his settlement at last the more welcome. The contest between grace and corruption in the hearts of believers, may fitly be compared to this warfare. There is a long war between them, the flesh lusting against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh; but as the work of holiness is carried on, corruption, like the house of Saul, grows weaker and weaker; while grace, like the house of David, grows stronger and stronger.