2 Samuel 15:2

_AND ABSALOM ROSE UP EARLY, AND STOOD BESIDE THE WAY OF THE GATE: AND IT WAS SO, THAT WHEN ANY MAN THAT HAD A CONTROVERSY CAME TO THE KING FOR JUDGMENT, THEN ABSALOM CALLED UNTO HIM, AND SAID, OF WHAT CITY ART THOU? AND HE SAID, THY SERVANT IS OF ONE OF THE TRIBES OF ISRAEL._ Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate. Public business in the East is always transacted early in the morning-the kings sitting an hour or more to hear causes or receive petitions in a court held anciently, and in many places still, in the open air at the city gateway; so that as those whose circumstances led them to wait on king David required to be in attendance on his morning levees, Absalom had to rise up early and stand beside the way of the gate. Through the growing infirmities of age, or the attack of a malignant sickness (Psalms 38:1;...

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....

BESIDE THE WAY OF THE GATE - See Ruth 4:1 note....

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 ABSALOM ROSE UP EARLY,.... Every morning, to show how diligent and industrious he should be, and closely apply himself to business, was he in any office trader the king, and especially when he should be king himself; this he did to ingratiate himself into the affections of the people: AND STOOD BESIDE THE WAY OF THE GATE; either of the king's palace, so Josephus d, or of the city, where courts of judicature are held: the former seems most probable by what follows: AND IT WAS [SO], THAT WHEN ANY MAN THAT HAD A CONTROVERSY CAME TO THE KING FOR JUDGMENT; that had a controversy with another man on any account, and came to the king to have it decided according to law, or the rules of justice and equity: THEN ABSALOM CALLED UNTO HIM, AND SAID, OF WHAT CITY [ART] THOU? which question he asked, only to lead on to some further discourse: AND HE SAID, THY SERVANT [IS] OF ONE OF THE TRIBES;...

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....

ROSE. used to rise, &c....

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

ABSALOM STOLE THE HEARTS OF THE MEN OF ISRAEL— Dr. Delaney is of opinion, that Absalom took this occasion to increase his popularity, during the time that his father David lay confined with a very grievous sickness. See the 38th, 39th, and 40th Psalms. REFLECTIONS _ON 2 SAMUEL 15:1_.—No sooner is Absalom restored to favour, than we find him plotting to dethrone his father, and seeking, for that purpose, to alienate from him the love of his subjects, and attach them to himself. For this purpose, 1. He prepares a grand equipage and retinue. His chariots, his horsemen, and fifty footmen to clear the way, afforded a degree of magnificence which Israel had not seen before, and which dazzled vain minds, as some great thing. Probably David himself was proud of the figure his son made, and, by connivance, encouraged his ambitious views. _Note;_ (1.) Parents who indul