2 And the king H4428 said H559 unto Ziba, H6717 What meanest thou by these? And Ziba H6717 said, H559 The asses H2543 be for the king's H4428 household H1004 to ride on; H7392 and the bread H3899 and summer fruit H7019 for the young men H5288 to eat; H398 and the wine, H3196 that such as be faint H3287 in the wilderness H4057 may drink. H8354
And honey, H1706 and butter, H2529 and sheep, H6629 and cheese H8194 of kine, H1241 for David, H1732 and for the people H5971 that were with him, to eat: H398 for they said, H559 The people H5971 is hungry, H7457 and weary, H5889 and thirsty, H6771 in the wilderness. H4057
And Abimelech H40 said H559 unto Abraham, H85 What H2008 mean these seven H7651 ewe lambs H3535 which thou hast set H5324 by themselves?
And he said, H559 What meanest thou by all this drove H4264 which I met? H6298 And he said, H559 These are to find H4672 grace H2580 in the sight H5869 of my lord. H113
And Gideon H1439 came H935 to Jordan, H3383 and passed over, H5674 he, and the three H7969 hundred H3967 men H376 that were with him, faint, H5889 yet pursuing H7291 them. And he said H559 unto the men H582 of Succoth, H5523 Give, H5414 I pray you, loaves H3603 of bread H3899 unto the people H5971 that follow H7272 me; for they be faint, H5889 and I am pursuing H7291 after H310 Zebah H2078 and Zalmunna, H6759 kings H4428 of Midian. H4080
Then answered H6030 one H376 of the people, H5971 and said, H559 Thy father H1 straitly H7650 charged H7650 the people H5971 with an oath, H7650 saying, H559 Cursed H779 be the man H376 that eateth H398 any food H3899 this day. H3117 And the people H5971 were faint. H5774
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
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on 2 Samuel 16
Commentary on 2 Samuel 16 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 16
In the close of the foregoing chapter we left David flying from Jerusalem, and Absalom entering into it; in this chapter,
2Sa 16:1-4
We read before how kind David was to Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, how he prudently entrusted his servant Ziba with the management of his estate, while he generously entertained him at his own table, ch. 9:10. This matter was well settled; but, it seems, Ziba is not content to be manager, he longs to be master, of Mephibosheth's estate. Now, he thinks, is his time to make himself so; if he can procure a grant of it from the crown, whether David or Absalom get the better it is all one to him, he hopes he shall secure his prey, which he promises himself by fishing in troubled waters. In order hereunto,
2Sa 16:5-14
We here find how David bore Shimei's curses much better than he had borne Ziba's flatteries. By the latter he was brought to pass a wrong judgment on another, by the former to pass a right judgment on himself. The world's smiles are more dangerous than its frowns. Observe here,
2Sa 16:15-23
Absalom had notice sent him speedily by some of his friends at Jerusalem that David had withdrawn, and with what a small retinue he had gone; so that the coasts were clear, Absalom might take possession of Jerusalem when he pleased. The gates were open, and there was none to oppose him. Accordingly he came without delay (v. 15), extremely elevated, no doubt, with this success at first, and that that in which, when he formed his design, he probably apprehended the greatest difficulty, was so easily and effectually done. Now that he is master of Jerusalem he concludes all his own, the country will follow of course. God suffers wicked men to prosper awhile in their wicked plots, even beyond their expectation, that their disappointment may be the more grievous and disgraceful. The most celebrated politicians of that age were Ahithophel and Hushai. The former Absalom brings with him to Jerusalem (v. 15), the other meets him there (v. 16), so that he cannot but think himself sure of success, when he has both these to be his counsellors; on them he relies, and consults not the ark, though he has that with him. But miserable counsellors were they both; for,