THIS NIGHT - The night of the day on which David fled, and Absalom entered into Jerusalem. Ahithophel’s idea was to fall upon David by surprise, and in the first confusion of the surprised army to seize and kill David only.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE MAN WHOM THOU SEEKEST - namely, David. Ahithophel means to say: “If I can only smite David, there will be no civil war, all the people will peaceably submit.”... [ Continue Reading ]
AT THIS TIME - Rather, “The counsel which Ahithophel has given this time is not good.” He contrasts it with that given before 2 Samuel 16:21, which was good. This gave an appearance of candour to his conduct, and so gave weight to his dissent. Observe the working of David’s prayer 2 Samuel 15:31.... [ Continue Reading ]
SOME PIT, OR IN SOME OTHER PLACE - The Hebrew has “in one of the pits,” or “in one of the places.” Hence, “place” must have some defined meaning. It probably is used here, as elsewhere, for a “dwelling-house” or “village,” which might in that district be fortified houses 2 Samuel 17:12; 1 Samuel 26:... [ Continue Reading ]
AS THE DEW - Like the drops of dew, in the vast number of our host, and in our irresistible and unavoidable descent upon our enemies.... [ Continue Reading ]
Hushai, like a wise and prudent man, knowing, too, Absalom’s weak and fickle character, would not depend upon the resolution, taken at his instigation, not to pursue the king, but took instant measures to advertise David of his danger.... [ Continue Reading ]
EN-ROGEL - See the marginal reference. A WENCH - Hebrew “the maid servant,” namely, of the high priest, either Zadok or Abiathar, or possibly one employed in some service in the temple courts. (1 Samuel 2:22 note.) AND THEY WENT AND TOLD KING DAVID - As related afterward 2 Samuel 17:21. Here menti... [ Continue Reading ]
BAHURIM - See the marginal reference. They were not all Shimeis in Bahurim.... [ Continue Reading ]
A COVERING - Hebrew “the covering,” perhaps “the hanging” or “awning” at the door of the house, as the word seems to mean when spoken of the tabernacle. GROUND CORN - Or “peeled barley,” which she spread out as if for the purpose of drying it in the sun.... [ Continue Reading ]
As soon as ever she had hid the men she went into the house, as if busy about her usual occupations. Had Absalom’s servants, who had had information from some of the people of Bahurim that the men had come to this house, found her in the court it might have directed their attention to the peeled bar... [ Continue Reading ]
TO HIS CITY - To Giloh (marginal reference). Ahithophel was probably influenced by deep mortification at the slight put upon him by rejecting his counsel. He is a memorable example of the impotence of worldly wisdom. Compare the marginal reference.... [ Continue Reading ]
MAHANAIM - See 2 Samuel 2:8. The same reasons which induced Abner to choose it for Ishbosheth probablv made it a good rallying point for David. It was a strong city, in a well-provisioned country, with a mountainous district for retreat in case of need, and with a warlike and friendly population.... [ Continue Reading ]
ITHRA AN ISRAELITE - Or “Jether the Ishmeelite” 1 Chronicles 2:17. “Ithra” and “Jether” are practically the same names. “Israelite” in the text is wrong. It should be either “Ishmaelite” or “Jezreelite” 2 Samuel 3:2. ABIGAIL THE DAUGHTER OF NAHASH - If Zeruiah and Abigail were Jesse’s daughters, th... [ Continue Reading ]
Shobi’s father may have been the king of the Ammonites, and Shobi appointed by David as tributary king or governor of Ammon after he took Rabbah 2 Samuel 12:29. On the other hand, Nahash may have been a common name among the Ammonites, and the Nahash of 2 Samuel 17:25 may have been of that nation.... [ Continue Reading ]
CHEESE OF KINE - Or, as others, “milch cows,” which is more in accordance with the context, being coupled with “sheep,” and is more or less borne out etymologically by the Arabic. God’s care for David was evident in the kindness of these people.... [ Continue Reading ]