2 Samuel 18:2
A THIRD PART - This seems to have been a favorite division with the Hebrew commanders (see Judges 7:16; Judges 9:43; 1 Samuel 11:11; 2 Kings 11:5) and with the Philistines also 1 Samuel 13:17.... [ Continue Reading ]
A THIRD PART - This seems to have been a favorite division with the Hebrew commanders (see Judges 7:16; Judges 9:43; 1 Samuel 11:11; 2 Kings 11:5) and with the Philistines also 1 Samuel 13:17.... [ Continue Reading ]
SUCCOUR US OUT OF THE CITY - David, with a reserve, would hold the city, and either support the bands in case of need, or receive them within the walls should they be compelled to flee.... [ Continue Reading ]
AGAINST ISRAEL - Implying that the revolt was in a great measure that of the ten tribes, Saul’s party, against the kingdom. THE WOOD OF EPHRAIM - This would naturally be sought in the west of Jordan (marginal reference). But on the other hand it seems certain that the scene of this battle was on the... [ Continue Reading ]
THE BATTLE WAS SCATTERED - Probably Absalom’s forces were far more numerous than David’s; but, most likely by Joab’s skillful generalship, the field of battle was such that numbers did not tell, and David’s veteran troops were able to destroy Absalom’s rabble in detail. The wood entangled them, and... [ Continue Reading ]
would seem that the two things which his vain-glory boasted in, the royal mule, and the magnificent head of hair by which he was caught in the “oak” (rather, terebinth or turpentine tree), both contributed to his untimely death.... [ Continue Reading ]
TEN SHEKELS - (About 25 shillings.) The word “shekel” is understood, as in Genesis 20:16; Genesis 37:28. See the Exodus 38:24 note. A GIRDLE - Girdles were costly articles of Hebrew dress used to put money in Matthew 10:9, and given as presents 1 Samuel 18:4.... [ Continue Reading ]
The man gives a remarkable incidental testimony to David’s sagacity and penetration (compare 2 Samuel 14:19), and to Joab’s known unscrupulousness.... [ Continue Reading ]
I MAY NOT TARRY ... - i. e., lose time in such discourse.... [ Continue Reading ]
BLEW THE TRUMPET - To stop the pursuit and slaughter 2 Samuel 2:28; 2 Samuel 20:22.... [ Continue Reading ]
A GREAT HEAP OF STONES - See the marginal reference. This kind of monument is common to almost all early nations.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE KING’S DALE - Anciently the “valley” of “Shaveh” (marginal reference), and apparently in the near neighborhood of Sodom; but the exact site is not known. It quite agrees with Absalom’s preference for Hebron 2 Samuel 15:7, that his monument should be reared by him in the south. If Absalom’s monum... [ Continue Reading ]
Ahimaaz was a well-known runner 2 Samuel 18:27. Speed was a heroic virtue in those simple times (compare 2 Samuel 2:18). In Hezekiah’s reign 2 Chronicles 30:6, 2 Chronicles 30:10 we find an establishment of running post-men; and the same name (“runners”) is given Esther 3:13 to the Persian posts, th... [ Continue Reading ]
CUSHI - “The Cushite,” a foreign slave, perhaps of Joab’s, whom he did not scruple to expose to David’s anger. If, however, it is a name, it must be rendered “Haccushi.” In the title to Psalms 7, “Cush, the Benjamite,” cannot mean this Cushi, since the contents of the Psalm are not suitable to this... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PLAIN - The floor of the valley through which the Jordan runs. The Cushite did not run by that road, but took the road over the hills, which may well have been the shorter but also the more difficult road. The two roads would probably meet a short distance from Mahanaim. These words, which have... [ Continue Reading ]
AHIMAAZ CALLED - This marks the eager haste with which, before he had quite reached the king, he shouted out the pithy decisive word of good tidings, “Shalom!” Peace! HATH DELIVERED - See the margin. The figure seems to be that of confining a person within the power of his enemy, in opposition to “... [ Continue Reading ]
TIDINGS ... - Rather, “Let my lord the king receive the good tidings.”... [ Continue Reading ]
There is not in the whole of the Old Testament a passage of deeper pathos than this. Compare Luke 19:41. In the Hebrew Bible this verse commences the nineteenth chapter. The King James Version follows the Greek and Latin versions.... [ Continue Reading ]