2 SAMUEL—NOTE ON 2 SAMUEL 17:1 This chapter presents the crucial contest between Ahithophel (Absalom’s ally) and Hushai (David’s ally) before Absalom and the elders of Israel (vv. 2 Samuel 17:4, 2 Samuel 17:14). Ahithophel offers the good advice to attack and kill David immediately. With no one else... [ Continue Reading ]
2 SAMUEL—NOTE ON 2 SAMUEL 17:7 MY COUNSEL IS THAT ALL ISRAEL BE GATHERED TO YOU... AND THAT YOU GO TO BATTLE IN PERSON (v. 2 Samuel 17:11). Hushai appeals to Absalom’s pride and suggests that Absalom, not Ahithophel, should gather even more support and then personally lead the forces against David ... [ Continue Reading ]
2 SAMUEL—NOTE ON 2 SAMUEL 17:17 JONATHAN AND AHIMAAZ were known to be allied with David, so rather than be seen in Jerusalem they waited AT EN-ROGEL, a spring near the city, for a FEMALE SERVANT to deliver word from Hushai for David. The servant’s normal duties probably included trips to the spring.... [ Continue Reading ]
2 SAMUEL—NOTE ON 2 SAMUEL 17:23 Realizing that the rejection of his advice meant Absalom’s defeat and his own ruin, Ahithophel SET HIS HOUSE IN ORDER AND HANGED HIMSELF. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
2 SAMUEL—NOTE ON 2 SAMUEL 17:24 From the place where he crossed the Jordan River (see 2 Samuel 16:14), David had traveled another 37 miles (59 km) north. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
2 SAMUEL—NOTE ON 2 SAMUEL 17:25 AMASA is David’s nephew (1 Chronicles 2:16). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
2 SAMUEL—NOTE ON 2 SAMUEL 17:27 MAHANAIM, a city in the deep canyon of the Jabbok River, is where Saul’s son Ish-bosheth had set up his capital before David became king (2 Samuel 2:8). SHOBI THE SON OF NAHASH FROM RABBAH OF THE AMMONITES apparently was the brother of Hanun, the king of Ammon (2 Samu... [ Continue Reading ]