2 Samuel 18:1-33
THE DEFEAT AND DEATH OF ABSALOM 1. Numbered] rather, 'mustered.'... [ Continue Reading ]
THE DEFEAT AND DEATH OF ABSALOM 1. Numbered] rather, 'mustered.'... [ Continue Reading ]
SUCCOUR US OUT OF THE CITY] David, holding Mahanaim with a sufficient force, would be of the greatest assistance to the fugitives, if his army were defeated.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PEOPLE HEARD] This statement explains 2 Samuel 18:12.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WOOD OF EPHRAIM] LXX reads 'Mahanaim' here.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE BATTLE WAS THERE SCATTERED] So Joab was able to destroy Absalom's forces in detail. THE WOOD DEVOURED, etc.] The thickness of the wood, its swamps, precipices, etc., militated against the fugitives, and increased the slaughter: cp. the manner of Absalom's death.... [ Continue Reading ]
MET] RV 'chanced to meet.' By misfortune, in his flight Absalom encountered some of the pursuers. HIS HEAD] The tradition that Absalom was caught by his hair comes from Josephus.... [ Continue Reading ]
AGAINST _me_] RV 'aloof.' Joab would have stood on one side and let his accomplice bear the brunt of the king's anger.... [ Continue Reading ]
JOAB HELD BACK THE PEOPLE] Absalom was dead and the war ended.... [ Continue Reading ]
A VERY GREAT HEAP OF STONES] This might be simply to mark his burying-place.... [ Continue Reading ]
This v. is evidently parenthetical, and informs us that Absalom had a suitable permanent memorial, though the building now known as Absalom's tomb in the vicinity of Jerusalem is of much later date. Evidently Absalom's three sons (2 Samuel 14:27) had died before him. PLACE] RV 'monument.'... [ Continue Reading ]
CUSHI] RV 'the Cushite.' He was probably a slave of Joab, who could be trusted to say exactly what he was told.... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU HAST NO TIDINGS READY] RV 'thou wilt have no reward for the tidings.' His message would be a sad one.... [ Continue Reading ]
BY THE WAY OF THE PLAIN] The direct way lay across the hills, but Ahimaaz, by choosing the level road along the Jordan valley, reached his goal first.... [ Continue Reading ]
BETWEEN THE TWO GATES] i.e. between the outer and the inner gate in the city wall.... [ Continue Reading ]
IF HE _be_ ALONE, _there is_ TIDINGS] Had he been a fugitive, he would have been followed by others.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND _me_] RV 'even me.' I KNEW NOT WHAT _it was_] This statement was untrue (2 Samuel 18:20). Probably Joab had commanded him to leave the announcement to the Cushite... [ Continue Reading ]