XVII. (1) PURSUE AFTER DAVID THIS NIGHT. — Ahithophel saw clearly that Absalom’s success depended on striking an immediate blow. He felt confident, and perhaps with reason, that David in his distress and weariness was in no condition to resist a sudden onset. That he was wise in his counsel is made... [ Continue Reading ]
WILL MAKE HIM AFRAID. — This translation is hardly strong enough. The thought is that Ahithophel will throw his band into a panic by a sudden night attack, and in the confusion will easily secure the person of the king.... [ Continue Reading ]
BRING BACK ALL THE PEOPLE. — This evil counsellor, with artful flattery, assumes that Absalom is the rightful king, and that the people who have gone off after David only need to be brought back to their allegiance.... [ Continue Reading ]
CALL NOW HUSHAI. — The good sense of Absalom and all the people at once approved the counsel of Ahithophel; but, at a crisis so important, Absalom sought the advice also of the other famous counsellor of his father.... [ Continue Reading ]
NOT GOOD AT THIS TIME. — The words, _at this time,_ should be transposed. What Hushai says is “This time the counsel of Ahithophel is not good,” implying that his previous advice (2 Samuel 16:21) had been wise, thus assuming an appearance of candour.... [ Continue Reading ]
I COUNSEL THAT ALL ISRAEL. — Hushai had before him a difficult task. He had not only to “make the worse appear the better reason,” but to do this in face of the counsel of a man very famous for his wisdom and devoted to the interests of Absalom, while his own fidelity had but just now been called in... [ Continue Reading ]
BRING ROPES TO THAT CITY. — Hushai here makes use of hyperbole to show the irresistible power of all Israel united, and therefore the certain success of his plan. This was pleasing to the vanity and dazzling to the imagination of Absalom.... [ Continue Reading ]
LODGE NOT THIS NIGHT. — Hushai’s advice had been taken at the moment, but it might easily be exchanged for Ahithophel’s. At all events there was instant danger for David, and Hushai urges him to place the Jordan without delay between himself and the rebels.... [ Continue Reading ]
EN-ROGEL. — A fountain just outside the city, on the boundary between the tribes of Benjamin and Judah (Joshua 15:7; Joshua 18:16). There are two localities which claim to represent it, each of which has its earnest advocates: the “Fountain of the Virgin,” on the western slope of the valley of the K... [ Continue Reading ]
GROUND CORN. — This word occurs elsewhere only in Proverbs 27:22, and means wheat or barley beaten or ground so as to remove the hull; in this condition it was spread out to dry.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE BROOK OF WATER. — This peculiar word for _brook_ occurs only here, and is thought by some writers to be a proper name. A small brook bearing the same name, _Michal,_ is said to exist now in this locality. On the deceit practised by the women, comp. Joshua 2:4; 1 Samuel 19:12. The historian simpl... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HANGED HIMSELF. — Ahithophei was moved, not merely by chagrin at the rejection of his counsel, but was shrewd enough to see that, with this delay, Absalom’s rebellion would inevitably fail, and he himself be likely to come to a traitor’s death.... [ Continue Reading ]
MAHANAIM. — See Note on 2 Samuel 2:8. The same reasons which made it a favourable place for the capital of Ish-bosheth, recommended it also as a place of refuge to David and a rallying point for his adherents.... [ Continue Reading ]
AMASA. — Joab having adhered to David and gone away with him, Absalom chose his cousin to succeed him as commander-in-chief. ITHRA AN ISRAELITE. — Called in 1 Chronicles 2:17. _Jether the Ishmeelite. Jether_ and _Ithra_ are merely different forms of the same name; but _Israelite_ is probably an err... [ Continue Reading ]
PITCHED IN THE LAND OF GILEAD. — Gilead is the tract of country on the east of the Jordan, extending from the land of Moab on the south to Bashan on the north, the valley of the Hieromax forming probably its northern boundary. The site of Mahanaim has not been identified, but it was almost certainly... [ Continue Reading ]
SHOBI THE SON OF NAHASH. — The narrative pauses in its course a moment to speak of the assistance sent to David during the time he was at Mahanaim and while Absalom had been gathering his forces. Among those whose friendly assistance was conspicuous was “Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the chil... [ Continue Reading ]
CHEESE OF KINE. — A word occurring only here, and of uncertain meaning. The English follows the Chald., Syr., and Rabbinic interpretation; the Vulg. has “fat calves,” and Theod. “sucking calves.”... [ Continue Reading ]