2 SAMUEL—NOTE ON 2 SAMUEL 15:1 The account of Absalom’s rebellion
against David is divided into six parts: (1) Absalom’s conspiracy
and proclaiming himself king (2 Samuel 15:1); (2) David’s escape
from Absalom, and the people he met on the way (2 Samuel 15:13); (3)
the war council where the competit... [ Continue Reading ]
2 SAMUEL—NOTE ON 2 SAMUEL 15:3 THERE IS NO MAN DESIGNATED BY THE
KING TO HEAR YOU. Absalom’s statement was surely an exaggeration.
The widow of Tekoa got a hearing. And if it had been known that there
was no chance of a hearing, people would not have come to Jerusalem in
hopes of having their cases... [ Continue Reading ]
2 SAMUEL—NOTE ON 2 SAMUEL 15:4 OH THAT I WERE JUDGE IN THE LAND!
Absalom is essentially saying that he wants to be king. For the
judging role of kings, see 1 Samuel 8:5; Proverbs 31:9.
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2 SAMUEL—NOTE ON 2 SAMUEL 15:7 HEBRON was where David had ruled when
he was king only of Judah (2 Samuel 2:4). It was Absalom’s
birthplace (2 Samuel 3:2).
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2 SAMUEL—NOTE ON 2 SAMUEL 15:10 The phrase THE TRIBES OF ISRAEL
sometimes refers to all of Israel, and at other times refers to Israel
as opposed to Judah. Here, it refers to all of Israel, including
Judah. It is clear that Judah participated in the rebellion. In chs. 2
Samuel 15:1, “Israel” usually... [ Continue Reading ]
2 SAMUEL—NOTE ON 2 SAMUEL 15:12 These SACRIFICES were apparently
part of a coronation ceremony (see 1 Samuel 11:14; 1 Kings 1:9)
formally declaring Absalom’s kingship (2 Samuel 15:10; 2 Samuel
16:16).
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2 SAMUEL—NOTE ON 2 SAMUEL 15:13 David flees Jerusalem so that the
city will not be destroyed.
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2 SAMUEL—NOTE ON 2 SAMUEL 15:18 The CHERETHITES and the PELETHITES
are David’s bodyguard (2 Samuel 8:18). The GITTITES (that is, men
from Gath) had come YESTERDAY (2 Samuel 15:20), that is, recently, and
could GO BACK to their homes. This group is probably not David’s own
600 men who had gone with h... [ Continue Reading ]
2 SAMUEL—NOTE ON 2 SAMUEL 15:23 The BROOK KIDRON runs just east of
Jerusalem. The Mount of Olives (v. 2 Samuel 15:30) is to the east of
the brook.
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2 SAMUEL—NOTE ON 2 SAMUEL 15:24 Though David leaves the city, by the
providence of God he is able to set up a messenger system: from
Hushai, to Zadok and Abiathar, to their sons (via a maid, 2 Samuel
17:17), to David (2 Samuel 15:36).
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(va... [ Continue Reading ]
2 SAMUEL—NOTE ON 2 SAMUEL 15:25 CARRY THE ARK OF GOD BACK INTO THE
CITY. David does not try to use the ark as some sort of good luck
charm. Perhaps he realizes that Absalom’s rebellion is partly the
result of David’s own sins (2 Samuel 12:10), and he does not know
how far the Lord intends to punish... [ Continue Reading ]
2 SAMUEL—NOTE ON 2 SAMUEL 15:27 ARE YOU NOT A SEER? Perhaps David is
implying that Zadok does not know precisely what God will do about
David (see note on vv. 25–26). Maybe he is indicating that Zadok,
because the people hold him in honor as a seer, will be allowed to
pass safely into the city, wher... [ Continue Reading ]
2 SAMUEL—NOTE ON 2 SAMUEL 15:28 The FORDS OF THE WILDERNESS were at
the west bank of the Jordan River.
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2 SAMUEL—NOTE ON 2 SAMUEL 15:30 Going BAREFOOT AND WITH HIS HEAD
COVERED were signs of mourning. WEEPING AS HE WENT. David had many
reasons to weep: his own misfortunes and the dangers he now faced, as
well as the troubles now facing Israel and his own family, for which
he was partly responsible.
⇐... [ Continue Reading ]
2 SAMUEL—NOTE ON 2 SAMUEL 15:31 AHITHOPHEL had been David’s
trusted counselor (v. 2 Samuel 15:12; 2 Samuel 16:23), but now he was
AMONG THE CONSPIRATORS.
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2 SAMUEL—NOTE ON 2 SAMUEL 15:33 WHATEVER YOU HEAR... TELL. Although
earlier David may have questioned Zadok’s “seeing” (v. 2 Samuel
15:27), it is clear that what Zadok and Abiathar “hear” from the
undercover work of Hushai in Jerusalem (v. 2 Samuel 15:34) will
benefit David and his followers (vv. 2... [ Continue Reading ]