2 Samuel 3:1

“Now there was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David, etc.] The recent battle, though so much in favour of David, did not, put an end to the war between him and Ishbosheth, which lasted five years longer; for it was when Ishbosheth had reigned two years that that battle was fought, and he reigned five years longer; for not till his death, and when David had reigned above seven years in Hebron, was he made king over all Israel; and during this time peace was not made, but the war carried on; though perhaps not in pitched battles, of which we no more read, but in skirmishes: but David waxed stronger and stronger; he having the advantage in all such skirmishes, and persons…”

“SIX SONS BORN TO DAVID. (Sa2 3:1-5) there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David--The rival parties had varying success, but David's interest steadily increased; less, however, by the fortunes of war, than a growing adherence to him as the divinely designated king.”

“Long war - For five years longer: for it is probable, Isbosheth was made king presently upon Saul's death; and the other tribes did not submit to David before seven years were expired. 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 3:3”

“3:1-39 The house of David increased, while Saul’s house dwindled. The crucial occasion came when Abner, the real political power in Saul’s camp, switched allegiance to David, taking a considerable number of his northern kinsmen with him. 3:1 a long war: This civil war likely continued for most of the seven-plus years that David ruled from Hebron. The truce called by Joab and Abner (2:26-28) was short-lived.”

“long war: Kg1 14:30, Kg1 15:16, Kg1 15:32 between: Gen 3:15; Psa 45:3-5; Mat 10:35, Mat 10:36; Gal 5:17; Eph 6:12 David waxed: Sa2 2:17; Est 6:13; Job 8:7, Job 17:9; Psa 84:7; Pro 4:18, Pro 4:19; Dan 2:34, Dan 2:35, Dan 2:44, Dan 2:45; Rev 6:2 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 3:2”

“"And the war became long (was protracted) between the house of Saul and the house of David; but David became stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul weaker and weaker." הלך, when connected with another verb or with an adjective, expresses the idea of the gradual progress of an affair (vid., Ges. 131, 3, Anm. 3). The historian sums up in these words the historical course of the two royal houses, as they stood opposed to one another. "The war" does not mean continual fighting, but the state of hostility or war in which they continued to stand towards one another. They concluded no peace, so that David was not recognised by Ishbosheth as king, any more than Ishbosheth by David. Not only is…”