CHAPTER XVII _Ahithophel counsels Absalom to pursue his father with twelve_ _thousand men_, 14. _Hushai gives a different counsel, and is followed_, 5-14. _Hushai informs Zadok and Abiathar; and they send word to David_, 15-21. _David and his men go beyond Jordan_, 22. _Ahithophel, finding hi... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 17:3. _THE MAN WHOM THOU SEEKEST_ IS _AS IF ALL RETURNED_] Only secure David, and all Israel will be on thy side. He is the soul of the whole; destroy him, and all the rest will submit.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 17:8. _AS A BEAR ROBBED OF HER WHELPS_] All wild beasts are very furious when robbed of their young; but we have some remarkable instances of the maternal affection of the bear in such circumstances; see one at the end of the chapter. 2 Samuel 17:28.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 17:13. _SHALL ALL ISRAEL BRING ROPES TO THAT CITY_] The original word חבלים _chabalim_, which signifies _ropes_, and from which we have our word _cable_, may have some peculiarity of meaning here; for it is not likely that any city could be pulled down with ropes. The _Chaldee_, which... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 17:17. _EN-ROGEL_] The _fullers' well_; the place where they were accustomed to _tread_ the clothes with their _feet_; hence the name עין _ein_, a _well_, and רגל _regel_, the _foot_, because of the _treading_ above mentioned. _AND A WENCH WENT AND TOLD THEM_] The word _wench_ occur... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 17:23. _PUT HIS HOUSEHOLD IN ORDER_] This self-murder could not be called _lunacy_, as every step to it was deliberate. He foresaw Absalom's ruin; and he did not choose to witness it, and share in the disgrace: and he could expect no mercy at the hands of David. He was a very bad man,... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 17:25. _AMASA CAPTAIN OF THE HOST_] From the account in this verse, it appears that Joab and Amasa were sisters' children, and both nephews to David.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 17:28. _BROUGHT BEDS_] These no doubt consisted in _skins_ of beasts, _mats, carpets_, and such like things. _BASONS_] ספות _sappoth_. Probably _wooden bowls_, such as the Arabs still use to eat out of, and to knead their bread in. _EARTHEN VESSELS_] כלי יוצר _keley yotser_. Probabl... [ Continue Reading ]