1 And it came to pass after this, H310 that Absalom H53 prepared H6213 him chariots H4818 and horses, H5483 and fifty H2572 men H376 to run H7323 before H6440 him.
2 And Absalom H53 rose up early, H7925 and stood H5975 beside H3027 the way H1870 of the gate: H8179 and it was so, that when any man H376 that had a controversy H7379 came H935 to the king H4428 for judgment, H4941 then Absalom H53 called H7121 unto him, and said, H559 Of what H335 city H5892 art thou? And he said, H559 Thy servant H5650 is of one H259 of the tribes H7626 of Israel. H3478
3 And Absalom H53 said H559 unto him, See, H7200 thy matters H1697 are good H2896 and right; H5228 but there is no man deputed of the king H4428 to hear H8085 thee.
4 Absalom H53 said H559 moreover, Oh that I were made H7760 judge H8199 in the land, H776 that every man H376 which hath any suit H7379 or cause H4941 might come H935 unto me, and I would do him justice! H6663
5 And it was so, that when any man H376 came nigh H7126 to him to do him obeisance, H7812 he put forth H7971 his hand, H3027 and took H2388 him, and kissed H5401 him.
6 And on this manner H1697 did H6213 Absalom H53 to all Israel H3478 that came H935 to the king H4428 for judgment: H4941 so Absalom H53 stole H1589 the hearts H3820 of the men H582 of Israel. H3478
7 And it came to pass after H7093 forty H705 years, H8141 that Absalom H53 said H559 unto the king, H4428 I pray thee, let me go H3212 and pay H7999 my vow, H5088 which I have vowed H5087 unto the LORD, H3068 in Hebron. H2275
8 For thy servant H5650 vowed H5087 a vow H5088 while I abode H3427 at Geshur H1650 in Syria, H758 saying, H559 If the LORD H3068 shall bring me again H7725 H7725 indeed to Jerusalem, H3389 then I will serve H5647 the LORD. H3068
9 And the king H4428 said H559 unto him, Go H3212 in peace. H7965 So he arose, H6965 and went H3212 to Hebron. H2275
10 But Absalom H53 sent H7971 spies H7270 throughout all the tribes H7626 of Israel, H3478 saying, H559 As soon as ye hear H8085 the sound H6963 of the trumpet, H7782 then ye shall say, H559 Absalom H53 reigneth H4427 in Hebron. H2275
11 And with Absalom H53 went H1980 two hundred H3967 men H376 out of Jerusalem, H3389 that were called; H7121 and they went H1980 in their simplicity, H8537 and they knew H3045 not any thing. H1697
12 And Absalom H53 sent H7971 for Ahithophel H302 the Gilonite, H1526 David's H1732 counsellor, H3289 from his city, H5892 even from Giloh, H1542 while he offered H2076 sacrifices. H2077 And the conspiracy H7195 was strong; H533 for the people H5971 increased H7227 continually H1980 with Absalom. H53
13 And there came H935 a messenger H5046 to David, H1732 saying, H559 The hearts H3820 of the men H376 of Israel H3478 are after H310 Absalom. H53
14 And David H1732 said H559 unto all his servants H5650 that were with him at Jerusalem, H3389 Arise, H6965 and let us flee; H1272 for we shall not else escape H6413 from H6440 Absalom: H53 make speed H4116 to depart, H3212 lest he overtake H5381 us suddenly, H4116 and bring H5080 evil H7451 upon us, and smite H5221 the city H5892 with the edge H6310 of the sword. H2719
15 And the king's H4428 servants H5650 said H559 unto the king, H4428 Behold, thy servants H5650 are ready to do whatsoever my lord H113 the king H4428 shall appoint. H977
16 And the king H4428 went forth, H3318 and all his household H1004 after H7272 him. And the king H4428 left H5800 ten H6235 women, H802 which were concubines, H6370 to keep H8104 the house. H1004
17 And the king H4428 went forth, H3318 and all the people H5971 after H7272 him, and tarried H5975 in a place H1004 that was far off. H4801 H1023
18 And all his servants H5650 passed on H5674 beside H3027 him; and all the Cherethites, H3774 and all the Pelethites, H6432 and all the Gittites, H1663 six H8337 hundred H3967 men H376 which came H935 after H7272 him from Gath, H1661 passed on H5674 before H6440 the king. H4428
19 Then said H559 the king H4428 to Ittai H863 the Gittite, H1663 Wherefore goest H3212 thou also with us? return H7725 to thy place, H4725 and abide H3427 with the king: H4428 for thou art a stranger, H5237 and also an exile. H1540
20 Whereas thou camest H935 but yesterday, H8543 should I this day H3117 make thee go H3212 up and down H5128 H5128 with us? seeing I go H1980 whither I may, return H7725 thou, and take back H7725 thy brethren: H251 mercy H2617 and truth H571 be with thee.
21 And Ittai H863 answered H6030 the king, H4428 and said, H559 As the LORD H3068 liveth, H2416 and as my lord H113 the king H4428 liveth, H2416 surely in what place H4725 my lord H113 the king H4428 shall be, whether in death H4194 or life, H2416 even there also will thy servant H5650 be.
22 And David H1732 said H559 to Ittai, H863 Go H3212 and pass over. H5674 And Ittai H863 the Gittite H1663 passed over, H5674 and all his men, H582 and all the little ones H2945 that were with him.
23 And all the country H776 wept H1058 with a loud H1419 voice, H6963 and all the people H5971 passed over: H5674 the king H4428 also himself passed over H5674 the brook H5158 Kidron, H6939 and all the people H5971 passed over, H5674 toward H6440 the way H1870 of the wilderness. H4057
24 And lo Zadok H6659 also, and all the Levites H3881 were with him, bearing H5375 the ark H727 of the covenant H1285 of God: H430 and they set down H3332 the ark H727 of God; H430 and Abiathar H54 went up, H5927 until all the people H5971 had done H8552 passing H5674 out of the city. H5892
25 And the king H4428 said H559 unto Zadok, H6659 Carry back H7725 the ark H727 of God H430 into the city: H5892 if I shall find H4672 favour H2580 in the eyes H5869 of the LORD, H3068 he will bring me again, H7725 and shew H7200 me both it, and his habitation: H5116
26 But if he thus say, H559 I have no delight H2654 in thee; behold, here am I, let him do H6213 to me as seemeth H5869 good H2896 unto him.
27 The king H4428 said H559 also unto Zadok H6659 the priest, H3548 Art not thou a seer? H7200 return H7725 into the city H5892 in peace, H7965 and your two H8147 sons H1121 with you, Ahimaaz H290 thy son, H1121 and Jonathan H3083 the son H1121 of Abiathar. H54
28 See, H7200 I will tarry H4102 in the plain H6160 H5679 of the wilderness, H4057 until there come H935 word H1697 from you to certify H5046 me.
29 Zadok H6659 therefore and Abiathar H54 carried H7725 the ark H727 of God H430 again H7725 to Jerusalem: H3389 and they tarried H3427 there.
30 And David H1732 went up H5927 by the ascent H4608 of mount Olivet, H2132 and wept H1058 as he went up, H5927 and had his head H7218 covered, H2645 and he went H1980 barefoot: H3182 and all the people H5971 that was with him covered H2645 every man H376 his head, H7218 and they went up, H5927 weeping H1058 as they went up. H5927
31 And one told H5046 David, H1732 saying, H559 Ahithophel H302 is among the conspirators H7194 with Absalom. H53 And David H1732 said, H559 O LORD, H3068 I pray thee, turn the counsel H6098 of Ahithophel H302 into foolishness. H5528
32 And it came to pass, that when David H1732 was come H935 to the top H7218 of the mount, where he worshipped H7812 God, H430 behold, Hushai H2365 the Archite H757 came to meet H7125 him with his coat H3801 rent, H7167 and earth H127 upon his head: H7218
33 Unto whom David H1732 said, H559 If thou passest on H5674 with me, then thou shalt be a burden H4853 unto me:
34 But if thou return H7725 to the city, H5892 and say H559 unto Absalom, H53 I will be thy servant, H5650 O king; H4428 as I have been thy father's H1 servant H5650 hitherto, H227 so will I now also be thy servant: H5650 then mayest thou for me defeat H6565 the counsel H6098 of Ahithophel. H302
35 And hast thou not there with thee Zadok H6659 and Abiathar H54 the priests? H3548 therefore it shall be, that what thing H1697 soever thou shalt hear H8085 out of the king's H4428 house, H1004 thou shalt tell H5046 it to Zadok H6659 and Abiathar H54 the priests. H3548
36 Behold, they have there with them their two H8147 sons, H1121 Ahimaaz H290 Zadok's H6659 son, and Jonathan H3083 Abiathar's H54 son; and by them H3027 ye shall send H7971 unto me every thing H1697 that ye can hear. H8085
37 So Hushai H2365 David's H1732 friend H7463 came H935 into the city, H5892 and Absalom H53 came H935 into Jerusalem. H3389
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on 2 Samuel 15
Commentary on 2 Samuel 15 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 15
2Sa 15:1-9. Absalom Steals the Hearts of Israel.
1. Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him—This was assuming the state and equipage of a prince. The royal guards, called runners, avant couriers, amounted to fifty (1Ki 1:5). The chariot, as the Hebrew indicates, was of a magnificent style; and the horses, a novelty among the Hebrew people, only introduced in that age as an appendage of royalty (Ps 32:9; 66:12), formed a splendid retinue, which would make him "the observed of all observers."
2-6. Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate—Public business in the East is always transacted early in the morning—the kings sitting an hour or more to hear causes or receive petitions, in a court held anciently, and in many places still, in the open air at the city gateway; so that, as those whose circumstances led them to wait on King David required to be in attendance on his morning levees, Absalom had to rise up early and stand beside the way of the gate. Through the growing infirmities of age, or the occupation of his government with foreign wars, many private causes had long lain undecided, and a deep feeling of discontent prevailed among the people. This dissatisfaction was artfully fomented by Absalom, who addressed himself to the various suitors; and after briefly hearing their tale, he gratified everyone with a favorable opinion of his case. Studiously concealing his ambitious designs, he expressed a wish to be invested with official power, only that he might accelerate the course of justice and advance the public interests. His professions had an air of extraordinary generosity and disinterestedness, which, together with his fawning arts in lavishing civilities on all, made him a popular favorite. Thus, by forcing a contrast between his own display of public spirit and the dilatory proceedings of the court, he created a growing disgust with his father's government, as weak, careless, or corrupt, and seduced the affections of the multitude, who neither penetrated the motive nor foresaw the tendency of his conduct.
7-9. after forty years—It is generally admitted that an error has here crept into the text, and that instead of "forty," we should read with the Syriac and Arabic versions, and Josephus, "four years"—that is, after Absalom's return to Jerusalem, and his beginning to practice the base arts of gaining popularity.
my vow, which I have vowed unto the Lord—during his exile in Geshur. The purport of it was, that whenever God's providence should pave the way for his re-establishment in Jerusalem, he would offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving. Hebron was the spot selected for the performance of this vow, ostensibly as being his native place (2Sa 3:3), and a famous high place, where sacrifices were frequently offered before the temple was built; but really as being in many respects the most suitable for the commencement of his rebellious enterprise. David, who always encouraged piety and desired to see religious engagements punctually performed, gave his consent and his blessing.
2Sa 15:10-12. He Forms a Conspiracy.
10. Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel—These emissaries were to sound the inclination of the people, to further the interests of Absalom, and exhort all the adherents of his party to be in readiness to join his standard as soon as they should hear that he had been proclaimed king. As the summons was to be made by the sound of trumpets, it is probable that care had been taken to have trumpeters stationed on the heights, and at convenient stations—a mode of announcement that would soon spread the news over all the country of his inauguration to the throne.
11. with Absalom went two hundred men … that were called—From their quality, reputation, and high standing, such as would create the impression that the king patronized the movement and, being aged and infirm, was willing to adopt his oldest and noblest son to divide with him the cares and honors of government.
12. Absalom sent for Ahithophel—who he knew was ready to join the revolt, through disgust and revenge, as Jewish writers assert, at David's conduct towards Bath-sheba, who was his granddaughter.
Giloh—near Hebron.
the conspiracy was strong—The rapid accession of one place after another in all parts of the kingdom to the party of the insurgents, shows that deep and general dissatisfaction existed at this time against the person and government of David. The remnant of Saul's partisans, the unhappy affair of Bath-sheba, the overbearing insolence and crimes of Joab, negligence and obstruction in the administration of justice—these were some of the principal causes that contributed to the success of this widespread insurrection.
2Sa 15:13-37. David Flees from Jerusalem.
14. David said … Arise, and let us flee—David, anxious for the preservation of the city which he had beautified, and hopeful of a greater support throughout the country, wisely resolved on leaving Jerusalem.
18-20. all the Gittites, six hundred men—These were a body of foreign guards, natives of Gath, whom David, when in the country of the Philistines, had enlisted in his service, and kept around his person. Addressing their commander, Ittai, he made a searching trial of their fidelity in bidding them (2Sa 15:19) abide with the new king.
23. the brook Kidron—a winter torrent that flows through the valley between the city and the eastern side of the Mount of Olives.
24, 25. Zadok also, and all the Levites …, bearing the ark—Knowing the strong religious feelings of the aged king, they brought it to accompany him in his distress. But as he could not doubt that both the ark and their sacred office would exempt them from the attacks of the rebels, he sent them back with it—not only that they might not be exposed to the perils of uncertain wandering, for he seems to place more confidence in the symbol of the divine presence than in God Himself—but that, by remaining in Jerusalem, they might render him greater service by watching the enemy's movements.
30. David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet—The same pathway over that mount has been followed ever since that memorable day.
had his head covered—with a mourning wrapper. The humility and resignation of David marked strongly his sanctified spirit, induced by contrition for his transgressions. He had fallen, but it was the fall of the upright; and he rose again, submitting himself meekly in the meantime to the will of God [Chalmers].
31. David said, Turn, O Lord, … the counsel of Ahithophel—this senator being the mainstay of the conspiracy.
32. when David was come to the top of the mount, where he worshipped—looking towards Jerusalem, where were the ark and tabernacle.
Hushai the Archite—A native of Archi, on the frontiers of Benjamin and Ephraim (Jos 16:2). Comparing the prayer against Ahithophel with the counsel to Hushai, we see how strongly a spirit of fervent piety was combined in his character with the devices of an active and far-seeing policy.