Rashi on the Former Prophets

His second [son] was Kilov. [But] in another place [Scriptures] calls him, "and his second [son] was Doniel". So why is his called [here] by the name of Kilov? Rebbe Yitzchok said [to answer this question] : Because the generation's cynics were saying that Avigail was pregnant from Novol, [consequently Hashem caused] his facial features to change and resemble his father. And our Rabbis said that [this name of Kilov was due to the fact that] he embarrassed Mephiboshes through Halacha.

By Egloh This refers to Michal who was cherished by him. Similarly it says "If you had not plowed with my calf" (Shoftim 14, 18). [But] it is written, "And Michal, the daughter of Shaul had no child until the day of her death" (Below, 6, 23) she didn't have one until the day of her death? From that incident and on [she had no children], but prior to that incident she did have [children].

Was strengthening. With all his might over the house of Shaul, to establish its monarchy.

Am I the chief dog [watcher] for [the kingdom of] Yehudah? Am I at least as important as the chief dog watcher for Dovid. However, according to the cantillation which has the accent under [the word] ראׁשׁ and [the word] כֶּלֶב אָנׂכׅי coralled [together], then this is the explanation: The chief? Do I want to be a chief in your house? It is better for me to be a dog and an ordinary person in the house of Dovid. This is also Yonasan's translation.
From this day on should I [continue to] be kind. From now on [is it] proper for me to be kind to the house of Shaul and with all those who love him as I have done until now and I have not delivered you into the hand of Dovid?

In his behalf saying. From his place to say, We shall keep this [oath] by the One Who made the world.
By He Who [posseses] the land. [This is] language [used for] an oath, By He Who [posseses] the land. Another interpretation: "Below him," [Avner] mentioned his name first in the message letter and afterwords he mentioned Dovid's name and that is why he was punished. [This is what] he wrote: From me, Avner, the general of Yisroel to Dovid, the king of Yisroel, peace salutation.
To He who [deserves] the land. To whom the kingdom is proper for him, I am sending to him "saying, Enact a convenant, etc."

You first bring. Before you see my face, bring me Michal.

From [her] man. Yonasan translated "from the company of her husband."

Following and crying. Over the good deed [about to be] leaving him because all those years he thrust a sword into the bed [separating] between him and her and he did not stumble [into sinful intimacy] with her.

And the word of Avner was [sent] Before this [incident with Paltiel]

Said about Dovid. About Dovid, and this is not [an instance of the usual] meaning of the word, אל, "to".

From an attack. They sprung, attacking to take spoils from the enemy.

From Bor HaSiroh. The name of a place [But] the Rabbis said: A well and a thorn caused Avner to be killed, by not grasping unto the deeds of Dovid, by [ignoring] the jug of water that [Dovid] took from [under] the head of Shaul and also [by ignoring] the corner of Shaul's garment [Avner dismissed this and] he said "Perhaps one of the thorns caught upon [the garment] and tore it.

Within the gate. [Yoav brought Avner] before a sanhedrin to be judged for the [spilling of] blood of his brother, Asoel.
Deceptively. In a mistake provoking [way] so that Avner would not realize that it is in [Yoav's] heart to kill him. Cut up the verse [to rearrange it's words as follows] "and Yoav steered him deceptively to go within the gate to talk to him."

[The guilt] should fall. The [guilt of the] blood of Avner should rest, should fall. [This verse is] referring back to the preceding verse that stated, I and my kingdom are innocent from [the guilt of] the blood of Avner [The guilt of] his blood should fall on the head of Yoav. The blood [of Avner] that was mentioned in the previous verse.
[A lame person] who leans on a cane. Who leans on his cane because of diseased feet.

Killed Avner. [As if to say] Avner and similar to it [we find] "Snatch me, be my surety" (Yeshaiya 38, 14), Snatch me and also similarly (Bamidbar 12,13), "Please heal her" Heal her and similarly to this (Divrei Hayomin II, 17, 7) "He sent his officers, Ben Chayil, and Ovadiah… to teach in the cities of Yehudah and it's meaning is: He sent his officers, Ben Chayil.

The death of someone wicked. Like the death by sword of a wicked person.

Your hands were not bound. How could a mighty soldier such as you fall before treacherous men.

To feed. [This is] language [denoting] a meal.

I am today weak [as a commoner] And I am, on this day, a commoner and a young king.