2 Samuel 15:1
AND IT CAME TO PASS ... - The working out of Nathan’s prophecy (marginal reference) is the clue to the course of the narrative. How long after Absalom’s return these events occurred we are not told.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND IT CAME TO PASS ... - The working out of Nathan’s prophecy (marginal reference) is the clue to the course of the narrative. How long after Absalom’s return these events occurred we are not told.... [ Continue Reading ]
BESIDE THE WAY OF THE GATE - See Ruth 4:1 note.... [ Continue Reading ]
To flatter each man by pronouncing a favorable verdict in his case, to excite a sense of grievance and discontent by censuring the king for remissness in trying the causes brought before him by his subjects, and to suggest a sure and easy remedy for all such grievances, namely, to make Absalom king;... [ Continue Reading ]
STOLE THE HEARTS - i. e., deceived them, for so the same phrase means Genesis 31:20, Genesis 31:26.... [ Continue Reading ]
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... [ Continue Reading ]
AHITHOPHEL - It has been with great probability supposed that Ahithophel was estranged from David by personal resentment for his conduct in the matter of Bath-sheba and Uriah (see 2 Samuel 11:3). WHILE HE OFFERED SACRIFICES - Rather, that Absalom sent for Ahithophel to be present when he offered th... [ Continue Reading ]
AND SMITE THE CITY - David’s kind nature induced him to spare Jerusalem the horrors of a siege, and the risk of being taken by assault. He had no standing army with which to resist this sudden attack from so unexpected a quarter. Possibly too he remembered Nathan’s prophecy 2 Samuel 12:10.... [ Continue Reading ]
PASSED ON - Rather, “crossed” the Brook Kidron, as in 2 Samuel 15:22. GITTITES - During David’s residence in the country of the Philistines he attached such a band to himself; and after the settlement of his kingdom, and the subjugation of the Philistines, the band received recruits from Gath, perha... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU CAMEST BUT YESTERDAY - Meaning, “Thou art not a native Israelite, but only a sojourner for a few years, it is not reason therefore that thou shouldst share my calamities. Return to thy place, thy adopted home Jerusalem, and to the king, Absalom” 2 Samuel 15:34.... [ Continue Reading ]
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.... [ Continue Reading ]
ART NOT THOSE A SEER? - If the text be correct, the sense would be, “Art thou not a seer? therefore go back to the city, and observe, and certify me of what thou seest” 2 Samuel 15:28. Others, by a slight alteration of the original text, read “Art not thou a chief” (priest), etc.... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS HEAD COVERED - See the marginal references and Jeremiah 14:3; Ezekiel 24:17; the sign of deep mourning.... [ Continue Reading ]
Render ... “when David was come to the top of the mount where people worship God.” The top here, and in 2 Samuel 16:1, is used almost as a proper name. No doubt there was a high-place upon the top of the Mount of Olives.... [ Continue Reading ]