CHAPTER XV _Absalom conspires against his father, and uses various methods_ _to seduce the people from their allegiance to their king_, 14. _Under pretence of paying a vow at Hebron, he obtains leave from_ _David to go thither; and, by emissaries sent through the land,_ _prepares the people for... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 15:6. _SO ABSALOM STOLE THE HEARTS_] His manner of doing this is circumstantially related above. He was thoroughly versed in the arts of the _demagogue_; and the common people, the vile mass, heard him gladly. He used the _patriot's_ arguments, and was every thing of the kind, as far... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 15:7. _AFTER FORTY YEARS_] There is no doubt that this reading is corrupt, though supported by the commonly printed _Vulgate_, the _Septuagint_, and the _Chaldee_. But the _Syriac_ has [Syriac] _arba_ _shanin, FOUR years_; the Arabic the same [Arabic] _arba shinin, FOUR_ _years_; and... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 15:8. _WHILE I ABODE AT GESHUR IN SYRIA_] Geshur, the country of Talmai, was certainly not in _Syria_, but lay on the south of _Canaan_, in or near _Edom_, as is evident from Judges 1:10; 1 Samuel 27:8; 2 Samuel 13:37. Hence it is probable that ארם _Aram, Syria_, is a mistake for אדם... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 15:10. _ABSALOM SENT SPIES_] These persons were to go into every tribe; and the trumpet was to be blown as a signal for all to arise, and proclaim Absalom in every place. The trumpet was probably used as a kind of _telegraph_ by the spies: trumpet exciting trumpet from place to place;... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 15:11. _WENT TWO HUNDRED MEN_] These were probably soldiers, whom he supposed would be of considerable consequence to him. They had been seduced by his specious conduct, but knew nothing of his present _design_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 15:12. _SENT FOR AHITHOPHEL_] When Absalom got _him_, he in effect got the _prime minister_ of the kingdom to join him.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 15:13. _THE HEARTS OF THE MEN OF ISRAEL ARE AFTER ABSALOM._] It is very difficult to account for this general defection of the people. Several reasons are given: 1. David was old or afflicted, and could not well attend to the administration of justice in the land. 2. It does appear... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 15:14. _DAVID SAID - ARISE - LET US FLEE_] This, I believe, was the first time that David turned his back to his enemies. And why did he now flee? Jerusalem, far from not being in a state to sustain a siege, was so strong that even the blind and the lame were supposed to be a suffici... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 15:17. _AND TARRIED IN A PLACE_] He probably waited till he saw all his friends safely out of the city.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 15:19. _THOU_ ART _A STRANGER, AND ALSO AN EXILE._] Some suppose that Ittai was the son of Achish, king of Gath, who was very much attached to David, and banished from his father's court on that account. He and his _six hundred_ men are generally supposed to have been proselytes to th... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 15:20. _MERCY AND TRUTH_ BE _WITH THEE._] May God ever show thee mercy, as thou showest it to me, and his truth ever preserve thee from error and delusion!... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 15:23. _THE BROOK KIDRON_] This was an inconsiderable brook, and only furnished with water in _winter_, and in the _rains_. See John 18:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 15:24. _BEARING THE ARK_] The priests knew that God had given the kingdom to David; they had no evidence that he had deposed him: they therefore chose to accompany him, and take the ark, the object of their charge, with them.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 15:25. _CARRY BACK THE ARK_] David shows here great confidence in God, and great humility. The ark was too precious to be exposed to the dangers of his migrations; he knew that God would restore him if he delighted in him, and he was not willing to carry off from the city of God that... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 15:27. ART NOT _THOU A SEER? RETURN INTO THE CITY IN PEACE_] That is, As thou art the only organ of the public worship, that worship cannot be carried on without thee; and as thou art the _priest of God_, thou hast no cause to fear for thy personal safety: the nation has not abandoned... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 15:30. _HAD HIS HEAD COVERED_] This was not only the attitude of a _mourner_, but even of a _culprit_; they usually had their heads covered when condemned. See the case of Haman. When the king had pronounced his condemnation, they immediately covered his face, and led him out to punis... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 15:31. _TURN THE COUNSEL OF AHITHOPHEL INTO FOOLISHNESS._] Ahithophel was a wise man, and well versed in state affairs; and God alone could confound his devices.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 15:32. _WHERE HE WORSHIPPED GOD_] Though in danger of his life, he stops on the top of Mount Olivet for prayer! How true is the adage, _Prayer and provender never hinder any man's journey_! Reader, dost thou do likewise? _HUSHAI THE ARCHITE_] He was the particular friend of David, an... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 15:33. _THEN THOU SHALT BE A BURDEN UNTO ME._] It appears that Hushai was not a warrior, but was a wise, prudent, and discreet man, who could well serve David by gaining him intelligence of Absalom's conspiracy; and he directs him to form a strict confederacy with the priests Zadok an... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 15:37. _ABSALOM CAME INTO JERUSALEM._] It is very probable that he and his partisans were not far from the city when David left it, and this was one reason which caused him to hurry his departure. READER, behold in the case of David a sad vicissitude of human affairs, and a fearful... [ Continue Reading ]