_Siba was a mean character, but of sufficient discernment to judge that David would gain the day. He came to calumniate his master; and David paid too much attention to him, though his testimony would not have been received in a court of judicature. (Calmet) --- We must reflect that the mind of Davi... [ Continue Reading ]
_Loaves. Hebrew, "and to fight." But the Septuagint and the Masorets reject the letter l, which causes the difference. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Father: a very improbable story, as the son of Jonathan was lame, and all Israel had declared for Absalom. (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_All. In the East, crimes are generally punished with the loss of goods. (Calmet) --- Kings. He intimates that he had not spoken against his master, with a design to obtain his effects. (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Bahurim, a fortress of Benjamin, about an hour's walk east of Bethania. (Adrichomius xxviii.) --- It signifies, "chosen youths;" and it is called Almut, or Almon, "youth," 1 Paralipomenon vi. 60, &c. Hither Phaltiel conducted Michol, chap. iii. 16. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Belial; contemner of the laws, and murderer. (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Dog. David's nephew was moved with indignation. He could easily have punished the insolence of Semei. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Hath bid him curse. Not that the Lord was the author of Semei's sin, which proceeded purely from his own malice, and the abuse of his free-will; but that knowing and suffering his malicious disposition to break out on this occasion, he made use of him as his instrument to punish David for his sins.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Affliction, of which he makes a sort of sacrifice, being convinced that God will not reject the contrite and humble heart, Psalm l. 19. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Earth, like a man in fury, Acts xxii. 23._... [ Continue Reading ]
_There, on the hill side, (Haydock) at Bahurim, ver. 5. (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Arachite; perhaps descended from the ancient Aracites, who dwelt near Arad and Tripoli, where the pretended Sabbatic river is said to flow; (Josephus, Jewish Wars xii. 13.) or rather, as the names are written in a different manner, this person might be a native of Arachi, in Benjamin, west of Bethe... [ Continue Reading ]
_Friend. He rather accuses him of treachery. (Haydock) --- But he does not mention the name of king, or of father, lest it should too plainly speak his own condemnation, as an ungrateful rebel. (Salien)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Chosen. ( Vox populi, vox Dei) Private people are not commonly able, or allowed, to judge of the right, which the prince has to the throne. But here Absalom was manifestly an usurper; and many still adhered to David. (Calmet) --- Chusai assumes the character of a courtier, and flatters the prince;... [ Continue Reading ]
_Their hands may be strengthened, &c. The people might apprehend lest Absalom should be reconciled to his father; and therefore they followed him with some fear of being left in the lurch, till they saw such a crime committed, as seemed to make a reconciliation impossible. (Challoner) --- This was t... [ Continue Reading ]
_Israel, who saw him enter the tents, (Calmet) on the flat roof, chap. xi. 2., and xii. 11. (Haydock) --- The wives of the conquered king were reserved for the victor. Smerdis married all the wives of his predecessor, Cambyses. (Herodotus iii. 68, 83.) (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Absalom. It tended to promote the end which was desired, (Haydock) whether good or bad. His prudence is hyperbolically compared with the divine oracles; (Menochius) and his authority must have had great weight, since David began to take precautions, only after he had heard that Achitophel had joine... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER XVI.... [ Continue Reading ]