2 Samuel 15:7

_AND IT CAME TO PASS AFTER FORTY YEARS, THAT ABSALOM SAID UNTO THE KING, I PRAY THEE, LET ME GO AND PAY MY VOW, WHICH I HAVE VOWED UNTO THE LORD, IN HEBRON._ After forty years. It is generally admitted that an error has here crept into the text, and that instead of х_ 'ARBAA`IYM_ (H705)], "forty", we should read, with the Syriac and Arabic versions, and Josephus х_ 'ARBA` _ (H702)], 'four years' - i:e., after Absalom's return to Jerusalem, and his beginning to practice the base arts of gaining popularity. MY VOW, WHICH I HAVE VOWED UNTO THE LORD - during his exile in Geshur; and the purport of it was, that whenever God's providence should pave the way for his re-establishment in Jerusalem, he would offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving. Hebron was the spot selected for the performance of this vow, ostensibly as being his native place ...

7-12 See how willing tender parents are to believe the best concerning their children. But how easy and how wicked is it, for children to take advantage of good parents, and to deceive them with the show of religion! The principal men of Jerusalem joined Absalom's feast upon his sacrifice. Pious persons are glad to see others appear religious, and this gives occasion for deceptions. The policy of wicked men, and the subtlety of Satan, are exerted to draw good persons to countenance base designs....

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 _Josephus_ has the same; so also the _Sixtine edition_ of the _Vulgate_, and several MSS. of the same version. _Theodoret_ also reads _four_, not _forty_; and most learned men are of opinion that ארבעים _arbaim, FORTY_, is an error for אברע _arba, FOUR_; yet this reading is not supported by any Hebrew MS. yet discovered. But _two_ of those collated by Dr. _Kennicott_ have יום _yom_ instead of שנה _shanah_, i.e., _forty DAYS_, instead of _forty_ _YEARS_; and this is a reading mo...

FORTY YEARS - An obvious clerical error, though a very ancient one for four years, which may date from Absalom’s return from Geshur, or from his reconciliation with David, or from the commencement of the criminal schemes to which 2 Samuel 15:1 refers. HEBRON - This, as having been the old capital of David’s kingdom and Absalom’s birthplace, was well chosen. It was a natural center, had probably many inhabitants discontented at the transfer of the government to Jerusalem, and contained many of the friends of Absalom’s youth. As the place of his birth (compare 1 Samuel 20:6), it afforded a plausible pretext for holding there the great sacrificial feast (“the serving the Lord,”...

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 FORTY YEARS,.... Or four years; so long it was from the reconciliation of Absalom to David, as Josephus f says; and so read Theodoret on the place, the Syriac and Arabic versions: but some say it was either forty years from the time Israel first had a king; and which might be an era of reckoning with the Jews, as the era of Seleucidae was with the Greeks, on the like account; or from the time Saul slew the priests at Nob, as Jerom g; or from the time of David's being anointed by Samuel; or this was the year of Absalom's age, or of David's reign: but these, and other attempts made to account for this passage, are not entirely satisfactory; and therefore one may be tempted to conclude there must be a mistake in the copy, of "arbaim" for "arba", forty for four; which makes it quite easy, and confirms the first sense: THAT ABSALOM SAID UNTO THE KING, I PRAY THEE, L...

FORTY Some authorities read "four....

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....

FORTY YEARS: i.e. from David's anointing (1 Samuel 16:13): i.e. 974-934. MY VOW, which. have vowed. Figure of speech _Polyptoton_ (App-6). my solemn vow. THE LORD. Hebrew. _Jehovah_. App-4. HEBRON. Where he was born, and had friends....