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
And would to God this people H5971 were under H5414 my hand! H3027 then would I remove H5493 Abimelech. H40 And he said H559 to Abimelech, H40 Increase H7235 thine army, H6635 and come out. H3318
And Abimelech H40 the son H1121 of Jerubbaal H3378 went H3212 to Shechem H7927 unto his mother's H517 brethren, H251 and communed H1696 with them, and with all the family H4940 of the house H1004 of his mother's H517 father, H1 saying, H559 Speak, H1696 I pray you, in the ears H241 of all the men H1167 of Shechem, H7927 Whether is better H2896 for you, either that all the sons H1121 of Jerubbaal, H3378 which are threescore and ten H7657 persons, H376 reign H4910 over you, or that one H259 reign H4910 over you? remember H2142 also that I am your bone H6106 and your flesh. H1320 And his mother's H517 brethren H251 spake H1696 of him in the ears H241 of all the men H1167 of Shechem H7927 all these words: H1697 and their hearts H3820 inclined H5186 to follow H310 Abimelech; H40 for they said, H559 He is our brother. H251 And they gave H5414 him threescore and ten H7657 pieces of silver H3701 out of the house H1004 of Baalberith, H1170 wherewith Abimelech H40 hired H7936 vain H7386 and light H6348 persons, H582 which followed H3212 him. H310 And he went H935 unto his father's H1 house H1004 at Ophrah, H6084 and slew H2026 his brethren H251 the sons H1121 of Jerubbaal, H3378 being threescore and ten H7657 persons, H376 upon one H259 stone: H68 notwithstanding yet Jotham H3147 the youngest H6996 son H1121 of Jerubbaal H3378 was left; H3498 for he hid H2244 himself.
Let another man H2114 praise H1984 thee, and not thine own mouth; H6310 a stranger, H5237 and not thine own lips. H8193
When G3752 thou art bidden G2564 of G5259 any G5100 man to G1519 a wedding, G1062 sit G2625 not G3361 down G2625 in G1519 the highest room; G4411 lest G3379 a more honourable man G1784 than thou G4675 be G5600 bidden G2564 of G5259 him; G846 And G2532 he that bade G2564 thee G4571 and G2532 him G846 come G2064 and say G2046 to thee, G4671 Give G1325 this man G5129 place; G5117 and G2532 G5119 thou begin G756 with G3326 shame G152 to take G2722 the lowest G2078 room. G5117 But G235 when G3752 thou art bidden, G2564 go G4198 and sit down G377 in G1519 the lowest G2078 room; G5117 that G2443 when G3752 he that bade G2564 thee G4571 cometh, G2064 he may say G2036 unto thee, G4671 Friend, G5384 go up G4320 higher: G511 then G5119 shalt thou G4671 have G2071 worship G1391 in the presence G1799 of them that sit at meat G4873 with thee. G4671 For G3754 whosoever G3956 exalteth G5312 himself G1438 shall be abased; G5013 and G2532 he that humbleth G5013 himself G1438 shall be exalted. G5312
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.