Bible Commentaries

And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to ^a run before him.

(a) Which were as a guard to set forth his estate.

And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was [so], that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city [art] thou? And he said, Thy servant [is] of one of the ^b tribes of Israel.

(b) That is, noting of what city or place he was.

Absalom said moreover, ^c Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice!

(c) Thus by slander, flattery and fair promises, the wicked seek preference.

And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom ^d stole the hearts of the men of Israel.

(d) By enticing them from his father to himself.

And it came to pass after ^e forty years, that Absalom said unto the king, I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto the LORD, in Hebron.

(e) Counting from the time that the Israelites had asked a king of Samuel.

For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the LORD shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will ^f serve the LORD.

(f) By offering a peace-offering, which was lawful to do in any place.

And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, [that were] ^g called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing.

(g) And bid to his feast in Hebron.

And David said unto all his servants that [were] with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not [else] escape from ^h Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword.

(h) Whose heart he saw that Satan had so possessed that he would leave no mischief unattempted.

And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was ⁱ far off.

(i) That is, from Jerusalem.

And all his servants passed on beside him; and all the ^k Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men which came after him from Gath, passed on before the king.

(k) These were as the king's guard, or as some write, his counsellors.

Then said the king to ^l Ittai the Gittite, Wherefore goest thou also with us? return to thy place, and abide with the king: for thou [art] a stranger, and also an exile.

(l) Who as some write was the king's son of Gath.

Whereas thou camest [but] yesterday, should I this day make thee go up and down with us? seeing I go whither I may, return thou, and take back thy ^m brethren: mercy and ⁿ truth [be] with thee.

(m) Meaning, those of his family.

(n) God require of you your friendship and fidelity.

And all the country wept with a loud voice, and ^o all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness.

(o) That is, the four hundred men.

And lo Zadok also, and all the Levites [were] with him, ^p bearing the ark of the covenant of God: and they set down the ark of God; and Abiathar went ^q up, until all the people had done passing out of the city.

(p) Which was the charge, of the Kohathites, (Numbers 4:4).

(q) To stand by the ark.

But if he thus say, I have no delight in thee; behold, ^r [here am] I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him.

(r) The faithful in all their afflictions show themselves obedient to God's will.

And David went up by the ascent of [mount] Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head ^s covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that [was] with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.

(s) With ashes and dust in sign of sorrow.

And [one] told David, saying, Ahithophel [is] among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the ^t counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.

(t) The counsel of the crafty worldlings does more harm than the open force of the enemy.

But if thou return to the city, and say unto Absalom, I will be thy ^u servant, O king; [as] I [have been] thy father's servant hitherto, so [will] I now also [be] thy servant: then mayest thou for me defeat the counsel of Ahithophel.

(u) Though Hushai was deceitful here at the king's request, we may not use this example to excuse our deceit.