Bible Commentaries

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Samuel 15

Clinging to a Counterfeit Cross
Introduction

1  Absalom, by fair speeches and courtesies, steals the hearts of Israel.
7  Under pretence of a vow, he obtains leave to go to Hebron.
10  He makes there a great conspiracy.
13  David upon the news flees from Jerusalem.
19  Ittai will not leave him.
24  Zadok and Abiathar are sent back with the ark.
30  David and his company go up mount Olivet weeping.
31  He curses Ahithophel's counsel.
32  Hushai is sent back with instructions.
Verse 1

And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.
A. M. 2980. B.C. 1024. Absalom
12:11, Deuteronomy 17:16, 1 Samuel 8:11, 1 Kings 1:5,33, 10:26-29, Psalms 20:7, Proverbs 11:2, Proverbs 16:18, 17:19, Jeremiah 22:14-16
Verse 2

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 tribes of Israel.
rose up
Job 24:14, Proverbs 4:16, Matthew 27:1
came
Heb. to come.
Exodus 18:14,16,26, 1 Kings 3:16-28
Verse 3

And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee.
thy matters
Numbers 16:3,13,14, Psalms 12:2, Daniel 11:21, 2 Peter 2:10
there is, etc
or, none will hear thee from the king downward.
8:15, Exodus 20:12, 21:17, Proverbs 30:11,17, Ezekiel 22:7, Matthew 15:4, Acts 23:5, 1 Peter 2:17
Verse 4

Absalom said moreover, 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!
Oh that I
Judges 9:1-5,29, Proverbs 25:6, Luke 14:8-11
I would do
Proverbs 27:2, 2 Peter 2:19
Verse 5

And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him.
took him
Psalms 10:9,10, 55:21, Proverbs 26:25
and kissed
14:33
Verse 6

And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
stole
Proverbs 11:9, Romans 16:18, 2 Peter 2:3
Verse 7

And it came to pass after 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.
A. M. 2983. B.C. 1021. An. Ex. Is. 470. forty years. As David reigned in the whole only forty years, this reading is evidently corrupt, though supported by the commonly printed Vulgate, LXX., and Chaldee. But the Syriac, Arabic, Josephus, Theodoret, the Sixtine edition of the Vulgate, and several MSS. of the same version, read four years; and it is highly probable that {arbâim,} forty, is an error for {arbâ,} four, though not supported by any Hebrew MS. yet discovered. Two of those collated by Dr. Kennicott, however, have {yom,} "day," instead of {shanah,} "year," i.e., forty days instead of forty years; but this is not sufficient to outweigh the other authorities
13:38, 1 Samuel 16:1,13
let me go
13:24-27
pay
1 Samuel 16:2, Proverbs 21:27, Isaiah 58:4, Matthew 2:8, 23:14
Verse 8

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 serve the LORD.
thy servant
Genesis 28:20,21, 1 Samuel 1:11, 16:2, Psalms 56:12, Ecclesiastes 5:4
Geshur
13:37,38, 14:23,32
I will serve
Joshua 24:15, Isaiah 28:15, Jeremiah 9:3-5, 42:20
Verse 10

But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron.
spies
13:28, 14:30
reigneth
19:10, Job 20:5-29, Psalms 73:18,19
Hebron
2:1,11, 3:2,3, 5:5, 1 Chronicles 11:3, 12:23,38
Verse 11

And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing.
called
1 Samuel 9:13, 16:3-5
their simplicity
Genesis 20:5, 1 Samuel 22:15, Proverbs 14:15, 22:3, Matthew 10:16, Romans 16:18,19
Verse 12

And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counsellor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.
Ahithophel
31, 16:20-23, 17:14,23
David's
Psalms 41:9, 55:12-14, Micah 7:5,6, John 13:18
Giloh
Joshua 15:51
while he offered
Numbers 23:1,14,30, 1 Kings 21:9,12, Psalms 50:16-21, Proverbs 21:27, Isaiah 1:10-16, Titus 1:16
the people
Psalms 3:1,2, 43:1,2
Verse 13

And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.
The hearts
6, 3:36, Judges 9:3, Psalms 62:9, Matthew 21:9, 27:22
Verse 14

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 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.
Arise
19:9, Psalms 3:1; *title
bring
Heb. thrust.
Ezekiel 46:18, Matthew 11:12; *marg:; Luke 10:15
and smite
23:16,17, Psalms 51:18, 55:3-11, 137:5,6
Verse 15

And the king's servants said unto the king, Behold, thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint.
Behold
Proverbs 18:24, Luke 22:28,29, John 6:66-69, 15:14
appoint
Heb. choose.
Verse 16

And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, which were concubines, to keep the house.
the king
Psalms 3:1; *title
after him
Heb. at his feet.
Judges 4:10, 1 Samuel 25:27,42; *marg:
ten women
12:11, 16:21,22, 20:3, Romans 12:2
Verse 17

And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off.
went forth
Psalms 3:1; *title; Psalms 3:2, 66:12, Ecclesiastes 10:7
Verse 18

And all his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men which came after him from Gath, passed on before the king.
Cherethites
8:18, 20:7,23, 1 Samuel 30:14, 1 Kings 1:38, 1 Chronicles 18:17
Gittites
19-22, 6:10, 18:2, 1 Samuel 27:3
Verse 19

Then said the king to 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.
Ittai
18:2, Ruth 1:11-13
Verse 20

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 brethren: mercy and truth be with thee.
go up and down
Heb. wander in going.
Psalms 56:8, 59:15, Amos 8:12, Hebrews 11:37,38
seeing
1 Samuel 23:13
mercy
2:6, Psalms 25:10, 57:3, 61:7, 85:10, 89:14, Proverbs 14:22, John 1:17, 2 Timothy 1:16-18
Verse 21

And Ittai answered the king, and said, As the LORD liveth, and as my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will thy servant be.
As the Lord
1 Samuel 20:3, 25:26, 2 Kings 2:2,4,6, 4:30
surely
Ruth 1:16,17, Proverbs 17:17, 18:24, Matthew 8:19,20, John 6:66-69, Acts 11:23, Acts 21:13, 2 Corinthians 7:3
Verse 22

And David said to Ittai, Go and pass over. And Ittai the Gittite passed over, and all his men, and all the little ones that were with him.
and all the little
Sir John Chardin informs us,in a MS. note on this place, that it is usual with the greatest part of the eastern people, especially the Arabs, to carry their whole family with them when they go to war.
Verse 23

And all the country wept with a loud voice, and 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.
all the country
Romans 12:15
the brook
The brook Kidron, which is but a few paces broad, runs along the valley of Jehoshaphat, east of Jerusalem, to the south-west corner of the city, and then, turning to the south-east, empties itself into the Dead Sea. Like the Ilissus, it is dry at least nine months in the year, being only furnished with water in the winter, and after heavy rains: its bed is narrow and deep, which indicates that it must formerly have been the channel for waters which have found some other, and probably subterraneous course.
Kidron
1 Kings 2:37, John 18:1
Cedron
the wilderness.
16:2, Matthew 3:1,3, Luke 1:80
Verse 24

And lo Zadok also, and all the Levites were with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God: and they set down the ark of God; and Abiathar went up, until all the people had done passing out of the city.
Zadok
27,35, 8:17, 20:25, 1 Kings 1:8, 2:35, 4:2-4, 1 Chronicles 6:8-12, Ezekiel 48:11
bearing
6:13, Numbers 4:15, 7:9, Joshua 3:3,6,15-17, 4:16-18, 6:4,6, 1 Samuel 4:3-5,11, 1 Chronicles 15:2
Verse 25

And the king said unto Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city: if I shall find favour in the eyes of the LORD, he will bring me again, and shew me both it, and his habitation:
Carry back
12:10,11, 1 Samuel 4:3-11, Jeremiah 7:4
he will bring
Psalms 26:8, 27:4,5, 42:1,2, 43:3,4, 63:1,2, 84:1-3,10, 122:1,9, Isaiah 38:22
habitation
6:17, 7:2
Verse 26

But if he thus say, I have no delight in thee; behold, here am I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him.
I have not
22:20, Numbers 14:8, 1 Kings 10:9, 2 Chronicles 9:8, Isaiah 42:1, 62:4, Jeremiah 22:28, 32:41, Matthew 1:10
let
Judges 10:15, 1 Samuel 3:18, Job 1:20,21, Psalms 39:9
Verse 27

The king said also unto Zadok the priest, Art not thou a seer? return into the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz thy son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar.
a seer
24:11, 1 Samuel 9:9, 1 Chronicles 25:5
return
34,36, 17:17
Verse 28

See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until there come word from you to certify me.
23, 16:2, 17:1,16
Verse 30

And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head 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.
the ascent
Zechariah 14:4, Luke 19:29,37, 21:37, 22:39, Acts 1:12
mount Olivet
Mount Olivet, so called from its abounding with olive trees, is situated east of Jerusalem, being separated from it only by the valley of Jehoshaphat and the brook Kidron. Josephus says it is five stadia, i.e., 625 geometrical paces from Jerusalem; and St. Luke (Ac 1:12) says it is a Sabbath day's journey, or about eight stadia distant, i.e., to the summit. It forms part of a ridge of limestone hills, extending from north to south for about a mile; and it is described as having three, or, according to others, four summits; the central and highest of which overlooks the whole of the city, over whose streets and walls the eye roves as if in the survey of a model.
and wept as he went up
Heb. going up and weeping.
Psalms 42:3-11, 43:1,2,5, Luke 19:41
his head covered
This custom was only practised by persons in great distress, or when convicted of great crimes. Thus Darius, when informed by Tyriotes, the eunuch, that his queen was dead, and that she had suffered no violence from Alexander, covered his head, and wept a long time; then throwing off the garment that covered him, he thanked the gods for Alexander's moderation and justice.
19:4, Esther 6:12, Jeremiah 14:3,4
barefoot
Isaiah 20:2,4, Ezekiel 24:17,23
weeping
Psalms 126:5,6, Matthew 5:4, Romans 12:15, 1 Corinthians 12:26
Verse 31

And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.
Ahithophel
12, Psalms 3:1, 41:9, 55:12,14, Matthew 26:14,15, John 13:18
O Lord
Psalms 55:15, 109:3
turn the counsel
16:23, 17:14,23, Job 5:12, 12:16-20, Isaiah 19:3,11-25, Jeremiah 8:8,9, 1 Corinthians 1:20, 3:18-20, James 3:15
Verse 32

And it came to pass, that when David was come to the top of the mount, where he worshipped God, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat rent, and earth upon his head:
the top
30, 1 Kings 11:7, Luke 19:29
he worshipped
1 Kings 8:44,45, Job 1:20,21, Psalms 3:3-5,7, 4:1-3, 50:15, 91:15
Hushai
16:16-19
Archite
Joshua 16:2
coat rent
1:2, 13:19
Verse 33

Unto whom David said, If thou passest on with me, then thou shalt be a burden unto me:
then thou
19:35
Verse 34

But if thou return to the city, and say unto Absalom, I will be thy 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.
return
20, Joshua 8:2, Matthew 10:16
as I have been
16:16-19
then mayest
17:5-14
Verse 35

And hast thou not there with thee Zadok and Abiathar the priests? therefore it shall be, that what thing soever thou shalt hear out of the king's house, thou shalt tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests.
thou shalt tell
17:15,16
Verse 36

Behold, they have there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz Zadok's son, and Jonathan Abiathar's son; and by them ye shall send unto me every thing that ye can hear.
their two sons
27, 17:17, 18:19-33
Verse 37

So Hushai David's friend came into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem.
friend
16:16, 1 Chronicles 27:33
Absalom
16:15

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