1And it came to pass after thisH310, that AbsalomH53 preparedH6213 him chariotsH4818 and horsesH5483, and fiftyH2572 menH376 to runH7323 beforeH6440 him. 2And AbsalomH53 rose up earlyH7925, and stoodH5975 besideH3027 the wayH1870 of the gateH8179: and it was so, that when any manH376 that had a controversyH7379 cameH935 to the kingH4428 for judgmentH4941, then AbsalomH53 calledH7121 unto him, and saidH559, Of whatH335 cityH5892 art thou? And he saidH559, Thy servantH5650 is of oneH259 of the tribesH7626 of IsraelH3478. 3And AbsalomH53 saidH559 unto him, SeeH7200, thy mattersH1697 are goodH2896 and rightH5228; but there is no man deputed of the kingH4428 to hearH8085 thee. 4AbsalomH53 saidH559 moreover, Oh that I were madeH7760 judgeH8199 in the landH776, that every manH376 which hath any suitH7379 or causeH4941 might comeH935 unto me, and I would do him justiceH6663 ! 5And it was so, that when any manH376 came nighH7126 to him to do him obeisanceH7812, he put forthH7971 his handH3027, and tookH2388 him, and kissedH5401 him. 6And on this mannerH1697 didH6213 AbsalomH53 to all IsraelH3478 that cameH935 to the kingH4428 for judgmentH4941: so AbsalomH53 stoleH1589 the heartsH3820 of the menH582 of IsraelH3478. 7And it came to pass afterH7093 fortyH705 yearsH8141, that AbsalomH53 saidH559 unto the kingH4428, I pray thee, let me goH3212 and payH7999 my vowH5088, which I have vowedH5087 unto the LORDH3068, in HebronH2275. 8For thy servantH5650 vowedH5087 a vowH5088 while I abodeH3427 at GeshurH1650 in SyriaH758, sayingH559, If the LORDH3068 shall bring me againH7725 H7725 indeed to JerusalemH3389, then I will serveH5647 the LORDH3068. 9And the kingH4428 saidH559 unto him, GoH3212 in peaceH7965. So he aroseH6965, and wentH3212 to HebronH2275. 10But AbsalomH53 sentH7971 spiesH7270 throughout all the tribesH7626 of IsraelH3478, sayingH559, As soon as ye hearH8085 the soundH6963 of the trumpetH7782, then ye shall sayH559, AbsalomH53 reignethH4427 in HebronH2275. 11And with AbsalomH53 wentH1980 two hundredH3967 menH376 out of JerusalemH3389, that were calledH7121 ; and they wentH1980 in their simplicityH8537, and they knewH3045 not any thingH1697. 12And AbsalomH53 sentH7971 for AhithophelH302 the GiloniteH1526, David'sH1732 counsellorH3289, from his cityH5892, even from GilohH1542, while he offeredH2076 sacrificesH2077. And the conspiracyH7195 was strongH533; for the peopleH5971 increasedH7227 continuallyH1980 with AbsalomH53. 13And there cameH935 a messengerH5046 to DavidH1732, sayingH559, The heartsH3820 of the menH376 of IsraelH3478 are afterH310 AbsalomH53. 14And DavidH1732 saidH559 unto all his servantsH5650 that were with him at JerusalemH3389, AriseH6965, and let us fleeH1272 ; for we shall not else escapeH6413 fromH6440 AbsalomH53: make speedH4116 to departH3212, lest he overtakeH5381 us suddenlyH4116, and bringH5080 evilH7451 upon us, and smiteH5221 the cityH5892 with the edgeH6310 of the swordH2719. 15And the king'sH4428 servantsH5650 saidH559 unto the kingH4428, Behold, thy servantsH5650 are ready to do whatsoever my lordH113 the kingH4428 shall appointH977 . 16And the kingH4428 went forthH3318, and all his householdH1004 afterH7272 him. And the kingH4428 leftH5800 tenH6235 womenH802, which were concubinesH6370, to keepH8104 the houseH1004. 17And the kingH4428 went forthH3318, and all the peopleH5971 afterH7272 him, and tarriedH5975 in a placeH1004 that was far offH4801 H1023. 18And all his servantsH5650 passed onH5674 besideH3027 him; and all the CherethitesH3774, and all the PelethitesH6432, and all the GittitesH1663, sixH8337 hundredH3967 menH376 which cameH935 afterH7272 him from GathH1661, passed onH5674 beforeH6440 the kingH4428. 19Then saidH559 the kingH4428 to IttaiH863 the GittiteH1663, Wherefore goestH3212 thou also with us? returnH7725 to thy placeH4725, and abideH3427 with the kingH4428: for thou art a strangerH5237, and also an exileH1540 . 20Whereas thou camestH935 but yesterdayH8543, should I this dayH3117 make thee goH3212 up and downH5128 H5128 with us? seeing I goH1980 whither I may, returnH7725 thou, and take backH7725 thy brethrenH251: mercyH2617 and truthH571 be with thee. 21And IttaiH863 answeredH6030 the kingH4428, and saidH559, As the LORDH3068 livethH2416, and as my lordH113 the kingH4428 livethH2416, surely in what placeH4725 my lordH113 the kingH4428 shall be, whether in deathH4194 or lifeH2416, even there also will thy servantH5650 be. 22And DavidH1732 saidH559 to IttaiH863, GoH3212 and pass overH5674 . And IttaiH863 the GittiteH1663 passed overH5674, and all his menH582, and all the little onesH2945 that were with him. 23And all the countryH776 weptH1058 with a loudH1419 voiceH6963, and all the peopleH5971 passed overH5674 : the kingH4428 also himself passed overH5674 the brookH5158 KidronH6939, and all the peopleH5971 passed overH5674, towardH6440 the wayH1870 of the wildernessH4057. 24And lo ZadokH6659 also, and all the LevitesH3881 were with him, bearingH5375 the arkH727 of the covenantH1285 of GodH430: and they set downH3332 the arkH727 of GodH430; and AbiatharH54 went upH5927, until all the peopleH5971 had doneH8552 passingH5674 out of the cityH5892. 25And the kingH4428 saidH559 unto ZadokH6659, Carry backH7725 the arkH727 of GodH430 into the cityH5892: if I shall findH4672 favourH2580 in the eyesH5869 of the LORDH3068, he will bring me againH7725, and shewH7200 me both it, and his habitationH5116: 26But if he thus sayH559, I have no delightH2654 in thee; behold, here am I, let him doH6213 to me as seemethH5869 goodH2896 unto him. 27The kingH4428 saidH559 also unto ZadokH6659 the priestH3548, Art not thou a seerH7200 ? returnH7725 into the cityH5892 in peaceH7965, and your twoH8147 sonsH1121 with you, AhimaazH290 thy sonH1121, and JonathanH3083 the sonH1121 of AbiatharH54. 28SeeH7200, I will tarryH4102 in the plainH6160 H5679 of the wildernessH4057, until there comeH935 wordH1697 from you to certifyH5046 me. 29ZadokH6659 therefore and AbiatharH54 carriedH7725 the arkH727 of GodH430 againH7725 to JerusalemH3389: and they tarriedH3427 there. 30And DavidH1732 went upH5927 by the ascentH4608 of mount OlivetH2132, and weptH1058 as he went upH5927, and had his headH7218 coveredH2645, and he wentH1980 barefootH3182: and all the peopleH5971 that was with him coveredH2645 every manH376 his headH7218, and they went upH5927, weepingH1058 as they went upH5927 . 31And one toldH5046 DavidH1732, sayingH559, AhithophelH302 is among the conspiratorsH7194 with AbsalomH53. And DavidH1732 saidH559, O LORDH3068, I pray thee, turn the counselH6098 of AhithophelH302 into foolishnessH5528 . 32And it came to pass, that when DavidH1732 was comeH935 to the topH7218 of the mount, where he worshippedH7812 GodH430, behold, HushaiH2365 the ArchiteH757 came to meetH7125 him with his coatH3801 rentH7167, and earthH127 upon his headH7218: 33Unto whom DavidH1732 saidH559, If thou passest onH5674 with me, then thou shalt be a burdenH4853 unto me: 34But if thou returnH7725 to the cityH5892, and sayH559 unto AbsalomH53, I will be thy servantH5650, O kingH4428; as I have been thy father'sH1 servantH5650 hithertoH227, so will I now also be thy servantH5650: then mayest thou for me defeatH6565 the counselH6098 of AhithophelH302. 35And hast thou not there with thee ZadokH6659 and AbiatharH54 the priestsH3548? therefore it shall be, that what thingH1697 soever thou shalt hearH8085 out of the king'sH4428 houseH1004, thou shalt tellH5046 it to ZadokH6659 and AbiatharH54 the priestsH3548. 36Behold, they have there with them their twoH8147 sonsH1121, AhimaazH290 Zadok'sH6659 son, and JonathanH3083 Abiathar'sH54 son; and by themH3027 ye shall sendH7971 unto me every thingH1697 that ye can hearH8085 . 37So HushaiH2365 David'sH1732 friendH7463 cameH935 into the cityH5892, and AbsalomH53 cameH935 into JerusalemH3389.
Jamieson Fausset Brown Bible Commentary 1 ABSALOM STEALS THE HEARTS OF ISRAEL. (
2Sam 15:1-9)
Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him--This was assuming the state and equipage of a prince. The royal guards, called runners, avant couriers, amounted to fifty (
1Kgs 1:5). The chariot, as the Hebrew indicates, was of a magnificent style; and the horses, a novelty among the Hebrew people, only introduced in that age as an appendage of royalty (
Ps 32:9;
Ps 66:12), formed a splendid retinue, which would make him "the observed of all observers."
2 Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate--Public business in the East is always transacted early in the morning--the kings sitting an hour or more to hear causes or receive petitions, in a court held anciently, and in many places still, in the open air at the city gateway; so that, as those whose circumstances led them to wait on King David required to be in attendance on his morning levees, Absalom had to rise up early and stand beside the way of the gate. Through the growing infirmities of age, or the occupation of his government with foreign wars, many private causes had long lain undecided, and a deep feeling of discontent prevailed among the people. This dissatisfaction was artfully fomented by Absalom, who addressed himself to the various suitors; and after briefly hearing their tale, he gratified everyone with a favorable opinion of his case. Studiously concealing his ambitious designs, he expressed a wish to be invested with official power, only that he might accelerate the course of justice and advance the public interests. His professions had an air of extraordinary generosity and disinterestedness, which, together with his fawning arts in lavishing civilities on all, made him a popular favorite. Thus, by forcing a contrast between his own display of public spirit and the dilatory proceedings of the court, he created a growing disgust with his father's government, as weak, careless, or corrupt, and seduced the affections of the multitude, who neither penetrated the motive nor foresaw the tendency of his conduct.
7 after forty years--It is generally admitted that an error has here crept into the text, and that instead of "forty," we should read with the Syriac and Arabic versions, and JOSEPHUS, "four years"--that is, after Absalom's return to Jerusalem, and his beginning to practice the base arts of gaining popularity.
my vow, which I have vowed unto the Lord--during his exile in Geshur. The purport of it was, that whenever God's providence should pave the way for his re-establishment in Jerusalem, he would offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving. Hebron was the spot selected for the performance of this vow, ostensibly as being his native place (
2Sam 3:3), and a famous high place, where sacrifices were frequently offered before the temple was built; but really as being in many respects the most suitable for the commencement of his rebellious enterprise. David, who always encouraged piety and desired to see religious engagements punctually performed, gave his consent and his blessing.
10 HE FORMS A CONSPIRACY. (
2Sam 15:10-12)
Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel--These emissaries were to sound the inclination of the people, to further the interests of Absalom, and exhort all the adherents of his party to be in readiness to join his standard as soon as they should hear that he had been proclaimed king. As the summons was to be made by the sound of trumpets, it is probable that care had been taken to have trumpeters stationed on the heights, and at convenient stations--a mode of announcement that would soon spread the news over all the country of his inauguration to the throne.
11 with Absalom went two hundred men . . . that were called--From their quality, reputation, and high standing, such as would create the impression that the king patronized the movement and, being aged and infirm, was willing to adopt his oldest and noblest son to divide with him the cares and honors of government.
12 Absalom sent for Ahithophel--who he knew was ready to join the revolt, through disgust and revenge, as Jewish writers assert, at David's conduct towards Bath-sheba, who was his granddaughter.
Giloh--near Hebron.
the conspiracy was strong--The rapid accession of one place after another in all parts of the kingdom to the party of the insurgents, shows that deep and general dissatisfaction existed at this time against the person and government of David. The remnant of Saul's partisans, the unhappy affair of Bath-sheba, the overbearing insolence and crimes of Joab, negligence and obstruction in the administration of justice--these were some of the principal causes that contributed to the success of this widespread insurrection.
14 DAVID FLEES FROM JERUSALEM. (2Sa. 15:13-37)
David said . . . Arise, and let us flee--David, anxious for the preservation of the city which he had beautified, and hopeful of a greater support throughout the country, wisely resolved on leaving Jerusalem.
18 all the Gittites, six hundred men--These were a body of foreign guards, natives of Gath, whom David, when in the country of the Philistines, had enlisted in his service, and kept around his person. Addressing their commander, Ittai, he made a searching trial of their fidelity in bidding them (
2Sam 15:19) abide with the new king.
23 the brook Kidron--a winter torrent that flows through the valley between the city and the eastern side of the Mount of Olives.
24 Zadok also, and all the Levites . . ., bearing the ark--Knowing the strong religious feelings of the aged king, they brought it to accompany him in his distress. But as he could not doubt that both the ark and their sacred office would exempt them from the attacks of the rebels, he sent them back with it--not only that they might not be exposed to the perils of uncertain wandering, for he seems to place more confidence in the symbol of the divine presence than in God Himself--but that, by remaining in Jerusalem, they might render him greater service by watching the enemy's movements.
30 David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet--The same pathway over that mount has been followed ever since that memorable day.
had his head covered--with a mourning wrapper. The humility and resignation of David marked strongly his sanctified spirit, induced by contrition for his transgressions. He had fallen, but it was the fall of the upright; and he rose again, submitting himself meekly in the meantime to the will of God [CHALMERS].
31 David said, Turn, O Lord, . . . the counsel of Ahithophel--this senator being the mainstay of the conspiracy.
32 when David was come to the top of the mount, where he worshipped--looking towards Jerusalem, where were the ark and tabernacle.
Hushai the Archite--A native of Archi, on the frontiers of Benjamin and Ephraim (
Josh 16:2). Comparing the prayer against Ahithophel with the counsel to Hushai, we see how strongly a spirit of fervent piety was combined in his character with the devices of an active and far-seeing policy.