And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him. Ver. 1. _And it came to pass after this._] Two years after, saith Josephus: all which while, Absalom had been hammering and hatching this following insurrection; God raising up evil again... [ Continue Reading ]
And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was [so], that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city [art] thou? And he said, Thy servant [is] of one of the tribes of Israel. Ver. 2. _And Absal... [ Continue Reading ]
_And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters [are] good and right; but [there is] no man [deputed] of the king to hear thee._ Ver. 3. _See, thy matters are good and right._] Right or wrong, he, to steal away their hearts, smoothed them up with fair words, which are light cheap: telling them that th... [ Continue Reading ]
Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice! Ver. 4. _Oh that I were made judge in the land._] It were pity else, you are so worthy a wight; let Pellican say for you. Absalom was an absolute... [ Continue Reading ]
And it was [so], that when any man came nigh [to him] to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him. Ver. 5. _To do him obeisance._] But should men bow to a molten calf, because made of golden earrings? _ And took him, and kissed him._] By a counterfeit courtesy, which,... [ Continue Reading ]
And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel. Ver. 6. _And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel._] Courting them, and colloguing with them all alike, of what degree soever; so basely could this proud wretch sto... [ Continue Reading ]
And it came to pass after forty years, that Absalom said unto the king, I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto the LORD, in Hebron. Ver. 7. _And it came to pass after forty years._] Not after four years, as Josephus hath it, but after forty years, via, after David's first an... [ Continue Reading ]
For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the LORD shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD. Ver. 8. _Then I will serve the Lord,_] viz., With gratulatory oblations and peace offerings; when in truth his design was, not to serve the Lord, b... [ Continue Reading ]
And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron. Ver. 9. _Go in peace._] David was so blinded with fond affection, that he could see nothing amiss in Absalom; though otherwise he were sagacious enough, yea, suspicious without cause, as of good Mephibosheth. The Dutch have a... [ Continue Reading ]
But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron. Ver. 10. _But Absalom sent spies._] Under a show of messengers and invitants to Absalom's feast, but indeed to underfeel the chief of each... [ Continue Reading ]
And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, [that were] called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing. Ver. 11. _And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem._] These were, doubtless, the principal men of the city; and this was likewise done by the pol... [ Continue Reading ]
And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counsellor, from his city, [even] from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom. Ver. 12. _And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite._] Who doubtless of all his virtu... [ Continue Reading ]
And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom. Ver. 13. _The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom._] So little trust there is to be put in the many headed multitude, a dangerous and heady water when once it is out. David had better deserved... [ Continue Reading ]
And David said unto all his servants that [were] with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not [else] escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword. Ver. 14. _Arise, and let us flee._]... [ Continue Reading ]
And the king's servants said unto the king, Behold, thy servants [are ready to do] whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint. Ver. 15. _Behold, thy servants are ready._] Though his own son rebelled against him, yet his servants remained faithful to him. So did they not to Muleasses, that wicked kin... [ Continue Reading ]
_And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, [which were] concubines, to keep the house._ Ver. 16. _And all his household after him._] Heb., At his feet, or, On his feet. _a_ He stayed not so long till a mule could be made ready for him. See 2 Samuel 15:30... [ Continue Reading ]
And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off. Ver. 17. _And tarried in a place that was far off._] Aloof from the city; and yet not very far off neither, as appeareth by that which followeth.... [ Continue Reading ]
And all his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men which came after him from Gath, passed on before the king. Ver. 18. _Six hundred men which came after him from Gath._] That had stuck to him in all his afflictions; then... [ Continue Reading ]
Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Wherefore goest thou also with us? return to thy place, and abide with the king: for thou [art] a stranger, and also an exile. Ver. 19. _Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite._] Who is thought by some, saith Martyr, to have been the king of Gath's son, who... [ Continue Reading ]
Whereas thou camest [but] yesterday, should I this day make thee go up and down with us? seeing I go whither I may, return thou, and take back thy brethren: mercy and truth [be] with thee. Ver. 20. _Should I this day make thee go up and down with us?_] David had need enough of him; but yet would no... [ Continue Reading ]
And Ittai answered the king, and said, [As] the LORD liveth, and [as] my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will thy servant be. Ver. 21. _Even there also will thy servant be._] Such fast and faithful friends are gone on p... [ Continue Reading ]
And David said to Ittai, Go and pass over. And Ittai the Gittite passed over, and all his men, and all the little ones that [were] with him. Ver. 22. _Go and pass over._] The river Kidron, 2Sa 15:23 since thou art resolved to live and die with me. This was some comfort to David, that strangers were... [ Continue Reading ]
And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness. Ver. 23. _And all the country wept with a loud voice._] All David's friends did, when Absalom and his com... [ Continue Reading ]
And lo Zadok also, and all the Levites [were] with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God: and they set down the ark of God; and Abiathar went up, until all the people had done passing out of the city. Ver. 24. _And Abiathar went up,_] viz., Into some high place to see what store came, and whe... [ Continue Reading ]
And the king said unto Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city: if I shall find favour in the eyes of the LORD, he will bring me again, and shew me [both] it, and his habitation: Ver. 25. _Carry back the ark._] He believed that in his banishment God would be unto him as "a little sanctuary,... [ Continue Reading ]
But if he thus say, I have no delight in thee; behold, [here am] I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him. Ver. 26. _But if he thus say, I have no delight in thee._] As justly he may, for my many foul offences and daily disobediences, lay me aside as a broken vessel. _ Behold, here am I._] Ale... [ Continue Reading ]
The king said also unto Zadok the priest, [Art not] thou a seer? return into the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz thy son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar. Ver. 27. _Art not thou a seer?_] _i.e., _ A prophet. 1Sa 9:9 And is it not, therefore, fit that thou shouldst abide with the... [ Continue Reading ]
See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until there come word from you to certify me. Ver. 28. _See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness._] Where in times past he had lived, when he fled from Saul, and had found that God was not "a wilderness unto him, or a land of darkness." Jer... [ Continue Reading ]
Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem: and they tarried there. Ver. 29. _Carried the ark again to Jerusalem._] From whence they were to help David by their prayers, and otherwise: like as David was afterwards to help the people out of Mahanaim. 2Sa 18:3... [ Continue Reading ]
And David went up by the ascent of [mount] Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that [was] with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up. Ver. 30. _And wept as he went up._] Bewailing his own sins, and th... [ Continue Reading ]
And [one] told David, saying, Ahithophel [is] among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness. Ver. 31. _Turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness._] This was done accordingly: great is the power of faithful prayer, The... [ Continue Reading ]
And it came to pass, that [when] David was come to the top [of the mount], where he worshipped God, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat rent, and earth upon his head: Ver. 32. _Where he worshipped God._] Looking toward the ark which was yet in sight; and himself not like to se... [ Continue Reading ]
_Unto whom David said, If thou passest on with me, then thou shalt be a burden unto me:_ Ver. 33. _Thou shalt be a burden unto me._] For at this time David was, as Henry king of Navarre was wont to say of himself, a king without a kingdom, a husband without a wife, and a soldier without money.... [ Continue Reading ]
But if thou return to the city, and say unto Absalom, I will be thy servant, O king; [as] I [have been] thy father's servant hitherto, so [will] I now also [be] thy servant: then mayest thou for me defeat the counsel of Ahithophel. Ver. 34. _And say unto Absalom, I will be thy servant, O king._] He... [ Continue Reading ]
And [hast thou] not there with thee Zadok and Abiathar the priests? therefore it shall be, [that] what thing soever thou shalt hear out of the king's house, thou shalt tell [it] to Zadok and Abiathar the priests. Ver. 35. _Zadok and Abiathar the priests?_] _Qui facilem et fidelem operam tibi praest... [ Continue Reading ]
_Behold, [they have] there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz Zadok's [son], and Jonathan Abiathar's [son]; and by them ye shall send unto me every thing that ye can hear._ Ver. 36. _And by them ye shall send unto me._] Good intelligence of the enemy's counsels and motion in war, is of greatest cons... [ Continue Reading ]
So Hushai David's friend came into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem. Ver. 37. So Hushai David's friend.] This was _honos aulicus_ proper to Hushai: but such honour have all the saints. Joh 15:14-15... [ Continue Reading ]