2 Samuel 17:22

_AND WHEN ABSALOM'S SERVANTS CAME TO THE WOMAN TO THE HOUSE, THEY SAID, WHERE IS AHIMAAZ AND JONATHAN? AND THE WOMAN SAID UNTO THEM, THEY BE GONE OVER THE BROOK OF WATER. AND WHEN THEY HAD SOUGHT AND COULD NOT FIND THEM, THEY RETURNED TO JERUSALEM._ No JFB commentary on these verses....

22-29 Ahithophel hanged himself for vexation that his counsel was not followed. That will break a proud man's heart which will not break a humble man's sleep. He thought himself in danger, concluding, that, because his counsel was not followed, Absalom's cause would fail; and to prevent a possible public execution, he does justice upon himself. Thus the breath is stopped, and the head laid low, from which nothing could be expected but mischief. Absalom chased his father. But observe how God sometimes makes up to his people that comfort from strangers, which they are disappointed of in their own families. Our King needs not our help; but he assures us, that what we do for the least of his brethren, who are sick, poor, and destitute, shall be accepted and recompensed as if done to himself...

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

THEN DAVID AROSE, AND ALL THE PEOPLE THAT [WERE] WITH HIM, AND PASSED OVER JORDAN,.... Taking the advice of Hushai: BY THE MORNING LIGHT THERE LACKED NOT ONE OF THEM THAT WAS NOT GONE OVER JORDAN; they travelled all night, and before it was morning they had all passed the river in boats, or through the fords, and not one was lost in the passage, nor any deserted, see John 17:12; and now perhaps David penned the forty second and forty third psalms, Psalms 42:1....

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

DAVID COMES TO MAHANAIM (J). 2 Samuel 17:15. Meanwhile David was in constant communication with his agents in Jerusalem through Jonathan and Ahimaaz. But one day, apparently when the news of Ahithophel's advice was being conveyed to David, they were seen and pursued, but escaped by being hidden in a well (_cf._ Joshua 2:6), and got away and brought the news to the king. 2 SAMUEL 17:17. EN-ROGEL: 1 Kings 1:9 *. 2 Samuel 17:20. brook: _michal,_ a word of unknown meaning, occurring only here....

JORDAN. Compare Psalms 42:6 and Psa 42:43. both Pss. referring to this period....

Hushai sends word to David by Jonathan and Ahimaaz 16. _Lodge not this night_ A prudent precaution, for Absalom might change his mind, and follow Ahithophel's counsel after all. _in the plains of the wilderness_ Perhaps we should read _at the fords of the wilderness_. See note on ch. 2 Samuel 15:28....

_David Urged to Cross Over Jordan._ 2 Samuel 17:15-24 15 Then said Hushai unto Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, Thus and thus did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the elders of Israel; and thus and thus have I counseled. 16 Now therefore send quickly and tell David, saying, Lodge not this night in the plains of the wilderness, but speedily pass over; lest the king be swallowed up, and all the people that _are_ with him. 17 Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz stayed by Enrogel; for they might not be seen to come into the city: and a wench went and told them; and they went and told king David. 18 Nevertheless a lad saw them, and told Absalom: but they went both of them away quickly, and came to a man's house in Bahurim, which had a well in his court; whither they went down. 19 And the woman took and spread a covering over the well's mouth, and spread ground corn there

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