2 Samuel 13:1
The history here, down to the end of 2 Samuel 23 (excepting a few particulars), is omitted in the Book of Chronicles.... [ Continue Reading ]
The history here, down to the end of 2 Samuel 23 (excepting a few particulars), is omitted in the Book of Chronicles.... [ Continue Reading ]
SHIMEAH - Called Shamma (marginal reference), was Jesse’s third son. SUBTIL - literally, wise. The word is generally used in a good sense, but here, and in Job 5:13, it means crafty.... [ Continue Reading ]
MAKE THYSELF SICK - “Feign thyself to be ill.” (Compare 2 Samuel 14:2.) THAT I MAY SEE IT - He was to feign that he could not fancy anything that came from the kitchen, but that if he saw it cooked he should be able to eat it.... [ Continue Reading ]
MAKE ME CAKES ... A PAN - The words here used occur nowhere else, and the etymology is doubtful. Some particular kind of cake or pudding is meant 2 Samuel 13:8, called a לביבה _lābı̂ybâh_; according to some, it was, from its etymology, shaped like a heart. 2 Samuel 13:9 The dish into which she p... [ Continue Reading ]
Tamar’s words are a verbal quotation from Genesis 34:7. The natural inference is that Tamar knew the passage in Genesis, and wished to profit by the warning that it contained. (Compare also 2 Samuel 13:13.)... [ Continue Reading ]
MY SHAME - Better, “my reproach.” Compare Genesis 30:23; Gen 34:14; 1 Samuel 11:2. SPEAK UNTO THE KING ... - It cannot be inferred with certainty from this that marriages were usual among half brothers and sisters in the time of David. The Levitical law forbade them (marginal reference), and Tamar m... [ Continue Reading ]
The sense of the passage probably is, “And she spake with him on account of this great wrong in sending me away, greater than the other wrong which thou hast done me (said she), but he hearkened not unto her.” The Hebrew text is probably corrupt, and the writer blends Tamar’s words with his own narr... [ Continue Reading ]
A GARMENT OF DIVERS COLORS - See Genesis 37:3. Some prefer here (and there) “a tunic with sleeves,” a tunic reaching to the extremities, i. e. the hands and feet, and worn over the common tunic, in room of a robe.... [ Continue Reading ]
LAID HER HAND ON HER HEAD - To hold on the ashes (see the marginal references). WENT ON CRYING - i. e. “went away, crying out as she went.”... [ Continue Reading ]
The Septuagint adds, what is a good explanation, “but he did not vex the spirit of Amnon his son, because he loved him, because he was his first-born.” This want of justice in David’s conduct, and favoritism to Amnon, probably rankled in Absalom’s heart, and was the first seed of his after rebellion... [ Continue Reading ]
Sheepshearing was always a time of feasting (marginal references). Baal-hazor is not known.... [ Continue Reading ]
He mentions Amnon as being the king’s first-born. If he could not have the king’s company, let him at least have that of the heir apparent, and the king’s other sons.... [ Continue Reading ]
UPON HIS MULE - So in 1 Kings 1:33, 1 Kings 1:38 the mule is the royal animal on which David himself rides. In 2 Samuel 18:9 Absalom rides upon a mule.... [ Continue Reading ]
The history supplies another (compare 2 Samuel 13:3) instance of Jonadab’s subtlety and sagacity. He at once gave the true explanation of the catastrophe at Baal-hazor, in spite of the false rumour. BY THE APPOINTMENT OF ABSALOM ... - Meaning that Absalom’s resolution to slay Amnon had been formed... [ Continue Reading ]
ABSALOM FLED - This is the sequel to 2 Samuel 13:29. The king’s sons rose from table and fled, and Absalom taking advantage of the confusion, also escaped and fled. This information is inserted here to account for the king’s sons returning unmolested.... [ Continue Reading ]
The watchman, as his duty was, had sent immediate notice to the king that he saw a crowd approaching (see 2 Kings 9:17). Jonadab, who was with the king, was prompt to give the explanation.... [ Continue Reading ]
See the marginal reference. Ammihur (see the margin) is found as a Punic name.... [ Continue Reading ]
LONGED TO GO FORTH - Rather, “longed after Absalom,” literally, was consumed in going forth, with a sense of disappointed hope.... [ Continue Reading ]