2 SAMUEL CHAPTER 15 Absalom stealeth the hearts of Israel, 2 SAMUEL 15:1. Under pretence of a vow obtaineth leave to go to Hebron: there with Ahithophel's aid he conspires to be king, 2 SAMUEL 15:7. David fleeth from Jerusalem with all his men; leaveth ten of his concubines, 2 SAMUEL 15:13. As being... [ Continue Reading ]
ROSE UP EARLY; thereby making a show of self-denial, and diligence, and solicitude for the good of the public, and of every private person, as he had opportunity. BESIDE THE WAY OF THE GATE; either, first, Of the king's palace. Or rather, secondly, Of the city; for that was the place of judicature o... [ Continue Reading ]
THY MATTERS ARE GOOD AND RIGHT: upon some very slight hearing of their case he approved it, that he might oblige all. NO MAN DEPUTED OF THE KING TO HEAR THEE, to wit, none such as will do thee justice. The other sons and relations of the king, and the rest of the judges and rulers under him and them... [ Continue Reading ]
OH THAT I WERE MADE JUDGE IN THE LAND! for the king had only restored Absalom to favour, but thought not fit to put him into any place of power and trust. I WOULD DO HIM JUSTICE; I should refuse no man, and decline no pains to do any man good. So he pretends to a very public spirit.... [ Continue Reading ]
Putting on the garb of singular humanity and good will to all men; for that seems to have been a ceremony in frequent use in those times of showing respect, as pulling off the hat, and bowing, or embracing, is at this day with us.... [ Continue Reading ]
i.e. He secretly and subtlety undermined his father, and robbed his father of the good opinions and affections of his people, that he might gain them to himself, by such insinuations into their affections, by his plausible and over-civil carriage.... [ Continue Reading ]
AFTER FORTY YEARS. QUEST. Whence are these to be computed? _Answ_. Not from Absalom's birth; for he was born in Hebron some considerable time after David had begun his reign, 2 SAMUEL 3:3, much less from the time of his vow made, or of his return from banishment; but either, first, From the time of... [ Continue Reading ]
i.e. Worship him by the offering of sacrifices of thanksgiving to God, for restoring me to the place of his presence and service, and to my father's favour. But why should not this service have been performed at Zion, or at Gibeon? Here was some ground of suspicion; but God blinded David's eyes, tha... [ Continue Reading ]
This place he chose, as being an eminent city, and next to Jerusalem, the chief of the tribe of Judah, and the place of his birth, and the place where his father began his kingdom, which he took for a good omen, and where it is probable that he had secured many friends, and which was at some conveni... [ Continue Reading ]
ABSALOM SENT from Hebron; or, had sent from Jerusalem; that when he went to Hebron, they should go into the several tribes to sift the people, and to dispose them to Absalom's party, and acquaint them with his success. AS SOON AS YE HEAR THE SOUND OF THE TRUMPET; which I shall take care to have soun... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT WERE CALLED; such as Absalom had picked out as fit for his purpose; such as were of some quality and reputation with the king and people, which would give a great countenance to his undertaking, and give occasion to people at first to think that this was done by his father's consent or connivan... [ Continue Reading ]
AHITHOPHEL is thought to have been the author, or, at least, the fomenter of this rebellion; either because he was discontented with David, for which there might be many reasons; or because he saw the father was old and nigh his end, and he thought it best policy to worship the rising sun, and to fo... [ Continue Reading ]
The generality of the people are for him; which is not strange, considering either, first, David, whose many miscarriages had greatly lost him in the hearts of his people. Or, secondly, The people, whose temper is generally unstable, weary of old things, and desirous of changes, and apt to expect gr... [ Continue Reading ]
ARISE, AND LET US FLEE; for though the fort of Zion was strong and impregnable, and he might have defended himself there; yet he had not laid in provisions for a long siege; and, if he had been once besieged there, Absalom would have got speedy and quiet possession of his whole kingdom; whereas if h... [ Continue Reading ]
No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
AFTER HIM, or, _on foot_, by comparing 2 SAMUEL 15:30, which the king chose to do rather than to ride; partly, to humble himself under the hand of God; partly, to encourage his companions in this hard and comfortless march; and partly, to move compassion in his people towards him. THE KING LEFT TEN... [ Continue Reading ]
Either to rest and refresh themselves a little; or rather, in expectation of others who should or would come after him, that they might march away in a considerable body, which might both defend the king, and invite others to come in to their assistance. A PLACE THAT WAS FAR OFF; at some convenient... [ Continue Reading ]
_ Of the Cherethites and the Pelethites_ SEE POOLE ON "2 SAMUEL 8:18". THE GITTITES were either, first, Israelites by birth, called Gittites because they went with him to Gath, and abode with him in that country. Or rather, secondly, _Strangers_, as Ittai their head is called, 2 SAMUEL 15:19, and th... [ Continue Reading ]
RETURN TO THY PLACE; either, first, To thy native country of Gath, where thou wilt be remote from our broils. Or, secondly, To Jerusalem, where thy settled abode now is. AND ABIDE, or, _or abide_; for he could not both go to Gath, and tarry in Jerusalem with Absalom. Although this part of the verse... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU CAMEST BUT YESTERDAY; by which it may be gathered that these were not the Israelitish soldiers which went with David to Gath, and came up with him from thence to Hebron, which was above thirty years before this time, but some proselytes which came from thence more lately. For though this word Y... [ Continue Reading ]
No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
For being so deeply engaged for David, he durst not leave his little ones to Absalom's mercy.... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL THE COUNTRY, i.e. the generality of the people by whom they passed; for it must be considered that Absalom's friends and partisans were gone to him to Hebron, and the rest of the people thereabouts were either well-willers to David, or at least moved with compassion at the sad and sudden change... [ Continue Reading ]
BEARING THE ARK OF THE COVENANT OF GOD; as a pledge of God's presence and assistance, and that David might inquire at it upon occasion. THEY SET DOWN THE ARK OF GOD; either in expectation of drawing forth more people to David's party, if not from their loyalty to their lawful king, yet from their pi... [ Continue Reading ]
CARRY BACK THE ARK OF GOD INTO THE CITY; partly, out of care and reverence to the ark, which though sometimes it was and might be carried out to a certain place; yet he might justly think unfit to carry it from place to place he knew not whither, and to expose it to all the hazards and inconvenience... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE NO DELIGHT IN THEE; I will not receive thee into my favour, nor restore thee to thy throne and city, and to the enjoyment of my ark and ordinances. HERE AM I, ready to obey him, and to submit to his will and pleasure concerning me.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE KING SAID ALSO UNTO ZADOK; either because Abiathar was gone from him, 2 SAMUEL 15:24, and not yet returned; or because David put more confidence in Zadok. A SEER, i.e. either, 1. A prophet, for such were called _seers_, 1 SAMUEL 9:9 2 SAMUEL 24:11 AMOS 7:12. And such he may be called, either bec... [ Continue Reading ]
No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
HE WENT BAREFOOT, in testimony of his deep sorrow, and humiliation and shame for his sins, whereby he had procured, this evil to himself; for these were the habits of mourners, 2 SAMUEL 19:4 ESTHER 6:12 ISAIAH 20:3,4 JER 14:3,4; and to take a holy revenge upon himself for his former delicacy and lux... [ Continue Reading ]
ONE TOLD DAVID, or, _David told_, i.e. David being hereof informed, acquaints his friends and followers with it, to stir them up to join with him in the following prayer against him. TURN THE COUNSEL OF AHITHOPHEL INTO FOOLISHNESS; either infatuate him, that he may give foolish counsel; or let his c... [ Continue Reading ]
HE WORSHIPPED GOD; looking towards Jerusalem, where the ark and tabernacle was. Compare 1 KINGS 8:44,48 DA 6:10.... [ Continue Reading ]
Increasing my charge, and care, and sorrow for what may befall thee, and being but of little use to me: for it may seem he was an old man, and fitter for counsel than for war.... [ Continue Reading ]
i.e. I will be as faithful to thee as I have been to thy father; which he neither was nor ought to be; and therefore the profession of this was great dissimulation. And David's suggesting this crafty counsel may be reckoned amongst his errors; which, proceeding from a violent temptation, and his pre... [ Continue Reading ]
No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE WITH THEM; not in Jerusalem, but in a place near to it, to which they could easily send upon occasion. See 2 SAMUEL 17:17.... [ Continue Reading ]
No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]