2 Samuel 15:24

_AND LO ZADOK ALSO, AND ALL THE LEVITES WERE WITH HIM, BEARING THE ARK OF THE COVENANT OF GOD: AND THEY SET DOWN THE ARK OF GOD; AND ABIATHAR WENT UP, UNTIL ALL THE PEOPLE HAD DONE PASSING OUT OF THE CITY._ Zadok also, and all the Levites ... bearing the ark. Knowing the strong religious feelings of the aged king, they brought it to accompany him in his distress. But as he could not doubt that both the ark and their sacred office would exempt them from the attacks of the rebels, he sent them back with it, not only that they might not be exposed to the perils of uncertain wandering (cf. Psalms 132:14) - or he seems to place more confidence in the symbol of the divine presence than in God himself-but that, by remaining in Jerusalem, they might render him greater service by watching the enemy's movements....

24-30 David is very careful for the safety of the ark. It is right to be more concerned for the church's prosperity than our own; to prefer the success of the gospel above our own wealth, credit, ease, and safety. Observe with what satisfaction and submission David speaks of the Divine disposal. It is our interest, as well as our duty, cheerfully to acquiesce in the will of God, whatever befalls us. Let us see God's hand in all events; and that we may not be afraid of what shall be, let us see all events in God's hand. David's sin was ever before him, Psalms 51:3; but never so plain, nor ever appearing so black as now. He never wept thus when Saul hunted him, but a wounded conscience makes troubles lie heavy, Psalms 38:4....

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....

ABIATHAR WENT UP - i. e., continued to ascend the Mount of Olives. Abiathar was high priest 1 Kings 2:35. Perhaps Zadok is addressed by David 2 Samuel 15:25 as the chief of those who were actually bearing the ark....

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, LO, ZADOK ALSO,.... The priest, as he is called, 2 Samuel 15:27; AND ALL THE LEVITES [WERE] WITH HIM: with Zadok, or with David, and indeed with both; but the former is rather meant here, being the immediate antecedent: BEARING THE ARK OF THE COVENANT OF GOD: these were the Kohathite Levites, whose business it was to bear the ark when carried from place to place, Numbers 3:31; called the ark of the covenant, because the law which was the covenant between God and the people, was put into it: AND THEY SET DOWN THE ARK OF GOD: from off their shoulders, on which they carried it: AND ABIATHAR WENT UP; who was the high priest, and whose business it was to attend the ark, and inquire before it, as occasion required; he went up v

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....

LO. Figure of speech _Asterismos._ App-6. GOD. ha-Elohim (with art.). the [triune] God. App-4....

The Ark sent back to Jerusalem 24. _and Abiathar went up_ The Ark halted, to allow the people who were still coming out of the city time to overtake the procession. Meanwhile Abiathar went on up the Mount of Olives, for some purpose which is not stated, possibly to watch the stream of people coming out of the city. He then returned to carry the Ark back. It seems best to suppose that the narrative goes back here, and that the Ark was not taken across the Kidron. Certainly it does not seem to have been carried up the Mount of Olives....