_Thecua, twelve miles south of Jerusalem. (St. Jerome) --- Joab causes this unknown woman to come from the country to conceal his design, (Calmet) hoping that Absalom would be his father's successor. (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Save me. So the Jews frequently repeated Hosanna; and David addressed God, save us, 1 Paralipomenon xvi. 35. (Tirinus)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Dead. Some conclude from ver. 16, that this is a true history; but it appears rather, that it was only a parable, (ver. 19.; Calmet) invented by Joab. (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Heir. She expresses their sentiments more than their words. (Calmet) --- Some of the relations might desire to obtain the inheritance. (Menochius) --- See Numbers xxxv. 18. --- Spark. Posterity is often denoted by a lamp, chap. xxi. 17. Hebrew and Septuagint, "my coal," reserved to enkindle my fire... [ Continue Reading ]
_Guiltless, if the murderer be not brought to execution. I am willing to bear all the blame and punishment. (Calmet) --- Abigail and Rebecca speak in the same manner, 1 Kings xxv. 24., and Genesis xxvii. 13. (Tirinus) --- Though kings may not pardon as they please, yet in this instance David might p... [ Continue Reading ]
_Multiplied, or overwhelm me with their numbers. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Exile, the banished Absalom, (Haydock) who, in similar circumstances, has only committed a crime like that which the king is willing to pardon at the entreaty of a poor widow; though all the people of God seem interested for the welfare of Absalom, whom they look upon as the heir apparent. This was... [ Continue Reading ]
_Earth; so great was the distress of the people at the absence of their darling prince. (Haydock) --- His death would not bring Amnon to life again. We must not cherish sentiments of eternal enmity. --- Perish. Chaldean, "a just judge cannot take the money of iniquity." Le Clerc, "And cannot the pri... [ Continue Reading ]
_Before the people. Hebrew also, "through fear, or respect for the people," who generally wished that Absalom might return. (Haydock) --- Joab was present, (ver. 21) and no doubt many others; who, if requisite, might join their prayers with hers. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Me. She identifies her cause with that of her son, as if she could not survive his death; or, at least, could not retain the inheritance, if he should perish. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Sacrifice; perfect and inviolable. (Tirinus) --- Cursing, provided he be in the right. (Menochius) --- Hebrew, "the king to discern (hear) good and bad;" of consummate wisdom; (ver. 20.; Haydock) so that no one can impose upon him._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Right, but he hath ordered me to say all these things. Joab had given her leave to make this declaration, as he perceived that the king's heart was already inclined towards Absalom, ver. 1. (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Boy. This expression might tend to excuse what he had done amiss; as it shewed also the tenderness of David for Absalom. (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Blessed. That is, praised, and gave thanks to the king._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Face, though he lived in Jerusalem. (Calmet) --- This was done, in order that he might enter seriously into himself, and avoid similar excesses. (Menochius) --- He felt this privation more than exile. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
A year. Hebrew and Septuagint, "from the end of the days to days." --- Chaldean, "as it was convenient." But the Vulgate seems the best, (Calmet) and is followed by the Protestant version. (Haydock) --- Sicles, including all his hair. The Hebrews wore their hair very long. It does not commonly grow... [ Continue Reading ]
_Sons, who all died before their father, chap. xviii. 18. --- Thamar, in memory of his sister; (Abulensis) or this Thamar received the name from her aunt, who resided with Absalom. (Menochius) --- Some Greek and Latin copies add, that she was married to Roboam, the son of Solomon, by whom he had Abi... [ Continue Reading ]
_To him. Joab, like a crafty courtier, would neither disoblige the king nor the prince, and therefore wished not to meddle in this affair; as he might either excite the suspicions of the own, or the resentment of the other. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Kissed Absalom, and thus was reconciled to his prodigal son, Luke xv. 20. The ungrateful wretch only took occasion, from his father's goodness, to alienate the minds of the people from him, by insinuating that he neglected the welfare of the people. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER XIV.... [ Continue Reading ]