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
And it came to pass, when Hushai H2365 the Archite, H757 David's H1732 friend, H7463 was come H935 unto Absalom, H53 that Hushai H2365 said H559 unto Absalom, H53 God save H2421 the king, H4428 God save H2421 the king. H4428 And Absalom H53 said H559 to Hushai, H2365 Is this thy kindness H2617 to thy friend? H7453 why wentest H1980 thou not with thy friend? H7453 And Hushai H2365 said H559 unto Absalom, H53 Nay; but whom the LORD, H3068 and this people, H5971 and all the men H376 of Israel, H3478 choose, H977 his will I be, and with him will I abide. H3427 And again, H8145 whom should I serve? H5647 should I not serve in the presence H6440 of his son? H1121 as I have served H5647 in thy father's H1 presence, H6440 so will I be in thy presence. H6440
If thy people H5971 go out H3318 to battle H4421 against their enemy, H341 whithersoever H1870 thou shalt send H7971 them, and shall pray H6419 unto the LORD H3068 toward H1870 the city H5892 which thou hast chosen, H977 and toward the house H1004 that I have built H1129 for thy name: H8034 Then hear H8085 thou in heaven H8064 their prayer H8605 and their supplication, H8467 and maintain H6213 their cause. H4941
Then Job H347 arose, H6965 and rent H7167 his mantle, H4598 and shaved H1494 his head, H7218 and fell down H5307 upon the ground, H776 and worshipped, H7812 And said, H559 Naked H6174 came I out H3318 of my mother's H517 womb, H990 and naked H6174 shall I return H7725 thither: the LORD H3068 gave, H5414 and the LORD H3068 hath taken away; H3947 blessed H1288 be the name H8034 of the LORD. H3068
But thou, O LORD, H3068 art a shield H4043 for me; my glory, H3519 and the lifter up H7311 of mine head. H7218 I cried H7121 unto the LORD H3068 with my voice, H6963 and he heard H6030 me out of his holy H6944 hill. H2022 Selah. H5542 I laid me down H7901 and slept; H3462 I awaked; H6974 for the LORD H3068 sustained H5564 me.
[[To the chief Musician H5329 on Neginoth, H5058 A Psalm H4210 of David.]] H1732 Hear H6030 me when I call, H7121 O God H430 of my righteousness: H6664 thou hast enlarged H7337 me when I was in distress; H6862 have mercy H2603 upon me, and hear H8085 my prayer. H8605 O ye sons H1121 of men, H376 how long H5704 will ye turn my glory H3519 into shame? H3639 how long will ye love H157 vanity, H7385 and seek H1245 after leasing? H3577 Selah. H5542 But know H3045 that the LORD H3068 hath set apart H6395 him that is godly H2623 for himself: the LORD H3068 will hear H8085 when I call H7121 unto him.
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.