2 Samuel 17:11

_AND THE SAYING PLEASED ABSALOM WELL, AND ALL THE ELDERS OF ISRAEL._ No JFB commentary on these verses....

1-21 Here was a wonderful effect of Divine Providence blinding Absalom's mind and influencing his heart, that he could not rest in Ahithophel's counsel, and that he should desire Hushai's advice. But there is no contending with that God who can arm a man against himself, and destroy him by his own mistakes and passions. Ahithophel's former counsel was followed, for God intended to correct David; but his latter counsel was not followed, for God meant not to destroy him. He can overrule all counsels. Whatever wisdom or help any man employs or affords, the success is from God alone, who will not let his people perish....

EXPOSITION 2 SAMUEL 17:1 LET ME NOW CHOOSE OUT TWELVE THOUSAND MEN. The advice of Ahithophel was such as would have made success almost certain. The rebellion had taken David by surprise, and he was quite unprepared to resist the large forces which Absalom had gathered round him. But the better part of the nation disapproved of the enterprise, especially when they perceived that David's life was in danger; and consequently his followers, in course of time, would increase. Moreover, the day had been one of extreme moral and mental trial to David. Upon the sudden news of Absalom's approach, he had to arrange for the flight of his wives and children; to provide supplies for their wants, and for those of their attendants on the march; to give orders to his officers, and take means to prevent their flight degenerating into a panic. Then, wi

THEREFORE I COUNSEL,.... My advice is as follows: THAT ALL ISRAEL BE GENERALLY GATHERED UNTO THEE, FROM DAN EVEN TO BEERSHEBA, AS THE SAND THAT [IS] BY THE SEA FOR MULTITUDE: not all the inhabitants of the land, but such as are fit to bear arms, or that were soldiers, employed in military affairs, in keeping garrisons, guarding the coasts, c. even the militia of the nation, from the extreme boundary of it on the north to the extreme boundary of it on the south in such a direction lay Dan and Beersheba. This is opposed to the counsel of Ahithophel, which was only to select twelve thousand men, and send them against David at once; and this is designed chiefly to gain time, since such a collection could not be made soon, and so David would have more time to get farther off, and to prepare the better for his defence; and this advice might be the more agreeable to Absalom, as it promised a g...

7. ABSALOM, AHITOPHEL, AND HUSHAI CHAPTER 17 _ 1. The counsel of Ahitophel and Hushai (2 Samuel 17:1)_ 2. The counsel made known to David (2 Samuel 17:15) 3. Ahitophel commits suicide (2 Samuel 17:23) 4. Absalom pitched in Gilead (2 Samuel 17:24) 5. The kindness of Shobi, Machir and Barzillai (2 Samuel 17:27) Ahitophel's counsel was aimed at the person of David only. He wanted to have him killed and thus by the death of the one man bring all Israel back. But Ahitophel had not

Ahithophel advises the instant pursuit and capture of David. I, he says, will bring back all the people unto thee, as a bride returns to her husband; thou seekest the life of only one man, there shall be peace for all the people; read 2 Samuel 17:3 thus with LXX. Hushai advised delay, till an overwhelming force could be gathered which would overcome any possible resistance. Yahweh makes Absalom follow Hushai's counsel, to his own ruin....

AS. Figure of speech _Parcemia._ App-6. THOU. thou thyself. Hebrew "thy face". Figure of speech _Synecdoche_ (of Part), App-6, put to emphasise the whole person. to battle. Hebrew. _karat),_ never used of battle (which is _milhamah). Bikkrab,_ rendered "to battle", is an abbreviation for _bekirbah. "in_ the midst of them", which is the reading _of_ the Septuagint and Vulgate. IN THINE OWN PERSON. By all this emphasis Hushai represents Ahithophel's personal malice (which need not disturb Absalom) as being personal pride aimed against Absalom. See verses: 2 Samuel 17:1, "I will arise"; "I will come"; "I will smite"; "I will bring back", &c....

_be generally gathered_ Generally = -as a whole": as we might say, "that there be a general gathering of all Israel." _from Dan even to Beer-sheba_ See note on 1 Samuel 3:20. _the sand_, &c. A common figure for an innumerable multitude. Cp. Genesis 22:17; Genesis 41:49; 1 Samuel 13:5; Psalms 78:27; &c. _and that thou go_, &c. Or, AND THAT THY PRESENCE GO IN THE MIDST OF THEM; as the Sept., Vulg., and other versions read instead of _to the battle_....

3. The Rebellion Defeated, 2 Samuel 17:1 to 2 Samuel 18:33. _Hushai's Counsel._ 2 Samuel 17:1-14 Moreover Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Let me now choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night: 2 And I will come upon him while he _is_ weary and weakhanded, and will make him afraid: and all the people that _are_ with him shall flee; and I will smite the king only: 3 And I will bring back all the people unto thee: the man whom thou seekest _is_ as if all returned: _so all_ the people shall be in peace. 4 And the saying pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of Israel. 5 Then said Absalom, Call now Hushai the Archite also, an

THE FALL OF AHITHOPHEL Absalom follows the advice of Hushai rather than that of Ahithophel, who thereupon hangs himself. David retreats to Mahanaim....