And there came a messenger to David ,.... Perhaps one of the two hundred that went with Absalom, ignorant of his design; which, when discovered, he disapproved of, and got away from him, and came to David, and informed him how things were: saying, the hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom ; to make him king. read more
And David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem ,.... His courtiers and ministers of state, the officers of his household, as many of them as were with him in the city; for some of them very probably were in the country, as Ahithophel was, and some might be along with Absalom, whom he had invited to his peace offerings: arise, and let us flee ; it is much that a man of such courage and valour as David should be so intimidated at once as to make a flight as soon as... read more
And the king's servants said unto the king ,.... In answer to him, and to show that they were quite conformable to his pleasure: behold, thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shalt appoint ; or "choose" F11 יבחר "elegerit", Pagninus, Montanus, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator. , whether to prepare to fight, and defend him and the city, or to depart and make their escape. read more
And the king went forth ,.... Which determined the case: and all his household after him family and his court ; they followed his example, and attended him in his flight: and the king left ten women, which were concubines, to keep the house ; not to defend it, which they were unable to do, but to look after the household goods and furniture, that they were not damaged by the conspirators; though one would think they could be of little service, and may wonder what he should leave... read more
And the king went forth ,.... From Jerusalem; which is repeated, that it might be observed in what a hurry and fright he was: and all the people after him ; his family, court, and servants, and as many of the people of Jerusalem as chose to go with him: and tarried at a place that was afar off ; when they had got at some distance from the city, they stopped and stayed a while; it could not be a great way from it, for they had not as yet passed over the brook Kidron, 2 Samuel 15:23 ... read more
And all his servants passed on beside him ,.... Or at his hand or side; his household servants walking perhaps some on one side of him, and some on the other, see 2 Samuel 16:6 , and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites ; which were his bodyguards, see 2 Samuel 8:18 , and all the Gittites, six hundred men which came after him from Gath ; which either came with him from Gath, when he conquered that city, and took it out of the hands of the Philistines, 2 Samuel 8:1 ;... read more
Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite ,.... Who was over the band of Gittites, the six hundred men, 2 Samuel 15:22 , wherefore goest thou also with us ? one should think the king should not have discouraged any from joining and following him, when his numbers were not very large, and the in such fear on account of Absalom: return to this place ; to Jerusalem, where his station was: and abide with the king ; with Absalom, who set himself up for king, and whom the people... read more
Whereas thou camest but yesterday ,.... From Gath, or from an expedition he and his men had been on: should I this day make thee, go up and down with us ? wander up and down from place to place with David, when he was but just come off a journey, weary and fatigued: seeing I go whither I may ; where it will be most safe for me, I know not where; may be obliged to flee here and there, which would be very inconvenient to Ittai in his circumstances: return thou, and take back thy... read more
The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom - It is very difficult to account for this general defection of the people. Several reasons are given: David was old or afflicted, and could not well attend to the administration of justice in the land. It does appear that the king did not attend to the affairs of state, and that there were no properly appointed judges in the land; see 2 Samuel 15:3 . Joab's power was overgrown; he was wicked and insolent,... read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:13-23
Here is, I. The notice brought to David of Absalom's rebellion, 2 Sam. 15:13. The matter was bad enough, and yet it seems to have been made worse to him (as such things commonly are) than really it was; for he was told that the hearts of the men of Israel (that is, the generality of them, at least the leading men) were after Absalom. But David was the more apt to believe it because now he could call to mind the arts that Absalom had used to inveigle them, and perhaps reflected upon it with... read more