Bible Commentaries

it came to pass. Compare Psa 3 and chapters 15-18. David was now fifty-six, Absalom twenty-four, Solomon six.

horses. A sign of his pride (Deuteronomy 17:16, Deuteronomy 17:20).

men. Hebrew. "ish. App-14.

run before. To clear the way. Mark of royalty or dignity. (Still done in Cairo.) Compare 1 Samuel 8:11, 1 Samuel 8:15. 1 Kings 1:5; 1 Kings 18:46.

rose = used to rise, &c.

matters: i.e. plea, cause, or suit.

no man = no one.

hearts. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6, for affections and adhesion.

men. Hebrew. "enosh. App-14.

forty years : i.e. from David's anointing (1 Samuel 16:13): i.e. 974-934.

my vow, which I have vowed. Figure of speech Polyptoton (App-6) = my solemn vow.

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.

Hebron. Where he was born, and had friends.

vowed a vow = made a solemn vow. Figure of speech Polyptoton. App-6.

sent for. Septuagint reads "sent and called".

Ahithophel. David's counsellor. Compare Psalms 41:9; Psalms 55:13. See note on "Uriah", 2 Samuel 11:3.

his city. Compare Joshua 15:51.

offered sacrifices. See App-43.

increased. Compare Psalms 3:1.

evil. Hebrew. App-44.

city. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject), for its inhabitants. App-6.

Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6.

appoint = choose.

a place that was far off. Hebrew. Bethhammer-hah. Probably a proper name.

Gittites. From Gath, the city of Goliath, now David's choicest followers.

strainger = foreigner.

mercy = lovingkindness, or grace.

truth = faithfulness. Septuagint and Syriac read "Jehovah will deal with thee in lovingkindness and faithfulness".

all: i, e. all the country round him. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of the Whole). App-6.

country. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject) for the people. Figure of speech Prosopopceia. App-6.

lo. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6.

God = ha-Elohim (with art.) = the [triune] God. App-4.

if I shall find favour, &c. God's grace is the basis of all blessing. Compare Numbers 14:8. Deuteronomy 10:15. Deuteronomy 22:20. 1 Kings 10:9. 2 Chronicles 9:8. Psalms 18:19; Psalms 41:11; Psalms 86:2 (marg). Acts 7:46.

as = according as.

See. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6.

Olivet. Name due to the Vulgate Oliveti in Acts 1:12.

wept. Compare Luke 19:41.

head covered. Symbol for self-condemnation.

barefoot. Symbol of mourning. Isaiah 20:2, Isaiah 20:4. Ezekiel 24:17.

told David. The news came when the trial was greatest. Compare Psalms 41:9 with Psalms 55:12-14

the top. Doubtless a high place where God was worshipped. Nob was near where the Tabernacle once stood.

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4.

behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6.

Hushai. David's friend. Compare 2 Samuel 15:37; 2 Samuel 16:16. 1 Chronicles 27:33.

Archite. Probably -a native of Archi, on frontier of Benjamin and Ephraim.

coat = the long tunic with sleeves.

hast thou not . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6.