2 Samuel 15:18

_AND ALL HIS SERVANTS PASSED ON BESIDE HIM; AND ALL THE CHERETHITES, AND ALL THE PELETHITES, AND ALL THE GITTITES, SIX HUNDRED MEN WHICH CAME AFTER HIM FROM GATH, PASSED ON BEFORE THE KING._ All the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, х_ HA-KªREETIY_ (H3774) _ WªKAAL_ (H3605) _ HA-PªLEETIY _ (H6432)] - executioners and couriers; the designation of a part of David's body-guards [sooma to fulakes: Josephus, 'Antiquities,' b. 7:, ch. 5:, sec. 4], whose duty it was both to execute punishment and to convey the king's commands as speedily as possible to his officers, (Gesenius) (see the notes at 2 Samuel 8:18, etc.) [The Septuagint and Vatican; pas Chelethi kai pas ho Felethi; Alexandrine, pas ho Chereththei kai pas ho Feleththei.]

13-23 David determined to quit Jerusalem. He took this resolve, as a penitent submitting to the rod. Before unrighteous Absalom he could justify himself, and stand out; but before the righteous God he must condemn himself, and yield to his judgments. Thus he accepts the punishment of his sin. And good men, when they themselves suffer, are anxious that others should not be led to suffer with them. He compelled none; those whose hearts were with Absalom, to Absalom let them go, and so shall their doom be. Thus Christ enlists none but willing followers. David cannot bear to think that Ittai, a stranger and an exile, a proselyte and a new convert, who ought to be encouraged and made easy, should meet with hard usage. But such value has Ittai for David's wisdom and goodness, that he will not leave him. He is a friend indeed, who loves at all times, and will adhere to us in adversity. Let us...

PASSED ON - Rather, “crossed” the Brook Kidron, as in 2 Samuel 15:22. GITTITES - During David’s residence in the country of the Philistines he attached such a band to himself; and after the settlement of his kingdom, and the subjugation of the Philistines, the band received recruits from Gath, perhaps with the king of Gath’s consent. They were now under the command of Ittai the Gittite, a foreigner 2 Samuel 15:19, and “his brethren” 2 Samuel 15:20. The number 600 probably indicates that this band or regiment of Gittites had its origin in David’s band of 600...

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 ALL HIS SERVANTS PASSED ON BESIDE HIM,.... Or at his hand or side; his household servants walking perhaps some on one side of him, and some on the other, see 2 Samuel 16:6; AND ALL THE CHERETHITES, AND ALL THE PELETHITES; which were his bodyguards, see 2 Samuel 8:18; AND ALL THE GITTITES, SIX HUNDRED MEN WHICH CAME AFTER HIM FROM GATH; which either came with him from Gath, when he conquered that city, and took it out of the hands of the Philistines, 2 Samuel 8:1; compared with 1 Chronicles 18:1; and who might become proselytes, and be incorporated into the commonwealth of I

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....

GITTITES. From Gath, the city of Goliath, now David's choicest followers....

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

_David's Flight._ 2 Samuel 15:14-28 14 And David said unto all his servants that _were_ with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not _else_ escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword, 15 And the king's servants said unto the king, Behold, thy servants _are ready to do_ whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint. 16 And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, _which were_ concubines, to keep the house. 17 And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off. 18 And all his servants passed on beside him; all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men which came after him from Gath, passed on before the