2 Samuel 15:1

_AND IT CAME TO PASS AFTER THIS, THAT ABSALOM PREPARED HIM CHARIOTS AND HORSES, AND FIFTY MEN TO RUN BEFORE HIM._ Prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him, х_ RAATSIYM_ (H7323)] - running footmen. Persons of quality, who ride on horseback, and still more those who are conveyed in splendid vehicles, are preceded by one servant, or by several, who run before their masters, carrying a stick or baton, which they constantly wave about them, and strike right and left to clear the way, especially in the streets of Oriental cities, which are always narrow and crowded. These avant-couriers are called sais in Egypt. They are accustomed to run, and can keep on at a rapid pace with the equipage which they precede, for many miles without stoppage, their feet covered with dust, and frequently bleeding from wounds. In ancient times fifty of these runners formed the usual atten...

1-6 David allows Absalom's pomp. Those parents know not what they do, who indulge a proud humour in their children: many young people are ruined by pride. And those commonly are most eager for authority who least understand its duties....

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 revolt_, 7-11. _He gains over Ahithophel, David's counsellor_, 12. _David is informed of the general defection of the people; on_ _which he, and his life-guards and friends, leave the city, and_ _go towards the wilderness_, 13-18. The st

AND IT CAME TO PASS ... - The working out of Nathan’s prophecy (marginal reference) is the clue to the course of the narrative. How long after Absalom’s return these events occurred we are not told....

EXPOSITION 2 SAMUEL 15:1 AFTER THIS. The Hebrew is a more precise phrase than that on which we have commented on 2 Samuel 10:1 and 2 Samuel 13:1, and implies that Absalom began his devices soon after obtaining his liberty. CHARIOTS AND HORSES; Hebrew, _a chariot and horses; _that is, a chariot for state occasions, in which Absalom rode, while fifty footmen ran at his side. Probably his grandfather Talmai practised similar magnificence at Geshur. In India it is still common for men of rank to be attended by runners on foot, who will keep up with horses or elephants for an incredible distance....

AND IT CAME TO PASS AFTER THIS,.... After the reconciliation of David and Absalom, and the latter was admitted to court again: THAT ABSALOM PREPARED HIM CHARIOTS AND HORSES; to make himself look grand and respectable among the people; perhaps he got these from his grandfather at Geshur in Syria: AND FIFTY MEN TO RUN BEFORE HIM; which added to his pomp and magnificence; and such great personages in later time have had; Nero the Roman emperor never went on a journey with less than a thousand calashes or chariots, and a great number of men that ran before him c: and this was tacitly setting himself up for king, at least preparing for it, as Adonijah afterwards did in the same way and manner, 1 Kings 1:5. c Suetonius in Vit. Neron. c. 30. Vid. Senecae, Ep. 87. 123....

5. ABSALOM'S CONSPIRACY AND DAVID'S FLIGHT CHAPTER 15 _ 1. Absalom steals the hearts of the men of Israel (2 Samuel 15:1)_ 2. His conspiracy (2 Samuel 15:7) 3. The flight of the king (2 Samuel 15:13) The beautiful prince gradually prepared for the great conspiracy of which we read now and which made of his own father the Lord's anointed, an exile. Chariots and horses with fifty men to run before him won no doubt the admiration of the people. His evident interest in their welfare, kissing those who sought his presence and advice, endeared him still more to the men of Israel. To this must be added his open words, which must have quickly circulated among the people, “Oh, that

2 Samuel 15:1 to 2 Samuel 16:14. REVOLT OF ABSALOM. FLIGHT OF DAVID (J). 2 Samuel 15:1. Absalom makes himself popular by professing an interest in the litigation of the people. 2 SAMUEL 15:7. After four years (so read with Syr. and some texts of LXX), having obtained the king's permission on a false pretext, Absalom goes to Hebron and organises revolt. 2 SAMUEL 15:12. GILOH: Joshua 15:51....

IT CAME TO PASS. Compare Psalms 3 and Chapter s 15-18. David was now fifty-six, Absalom twenty-four, Solomon six. HORSES.. sign of his pride (Deuteronomy 17:16; Deuteronomy 17:20). MEN. Hebrew. _'ish._ App-14. RUN BEFORE. To clear the way. Mark of royalty or dignity. (Still done in Cairo.) Compare 1 Samuel 8:11 1 Samuel 8:15. 1 Kings 1:5; 1 K

Absalom's Rebellion For the Psalms illustrative of this period see Introd. ch. VIII. § 6, p. 48....