(20) The brook of water.—This peculiar word for brook occurs only here, and is thought by some writers to be a proper name. A small brook bearing the same name, Michal, is said to exist now in this locality. On the deceit practised by the women, comp. Joshua 2:4-7; 1 Samuel 19:12-17. The historian simply records without comment what was done. read more
CHAPTER XXI.FROM JERUSALEM TO MAHANAIM.2 Samuel 16:1-14; 2 Samuel 17:15-22 and 2 Samuel 17:24-26.AS David proceeds on his painful journey, there flows from his heart a gentle current of humble contrite, gracious feeling. If recent events have thrown any doubt on the reality of his goodness, this fragrant narrative will restore the balance. Many a man would have been beside himself with rage at the treatment he had undergone. Many another man would have been restless with terror, looking behind... read more
7. Absalom, Ahitophel, and Hushai CHAPTER 17 1. The counsel of Ahitophel and Hushai (2 Samuel 17:1-14 ) 2. The counsel made known to David (2 Samuel 17:15-22 ) 3. Ahitophel commits suicide (2 Samuel 17:23 ) 4. Absalom pitched in Gilead (2 Samuel 17:24-26 ) 5. The kindness of Shobi, Machir and Barzillai (2 Samuel 17:27-29 ) Ahitophel’s counsel was aimed at the person of David only. He wanted to have him killed and thus by the death of the one man bring all Israel back. But Ahitophel... read more
17:20 And when Absalom’s servants came to the woman to the house, they said, Where [is] Ahimaaz and Jonathan? And the woman said unto them, They be gone over the {i} brook of water. And when they had sought and could not find [them], they returned to Jerusalem.(i) The Chaldee text reads: Now they have passed the Jordan. read more
Ahithophel discerned clearly that if Absalom was to gain any victory over David he must strike quickly. Satan knows that the only way to establish the anti-christ in power is to destroy the true Christ. So Ahithophel urges that he be allowed to take with him 12,000 men (in contrast to the few hundred who had gone with David) and immediately the same night pursue David. He well reasons that such an attack would scatter David's men and leave David unprotected, so that they could kill him alone.... read more
O, ABSALOM , MY SON , MY SON ! LUST, MURDER AND DECEIT (2 Samuel 13:0 ) In the preceding lesson judgments were foretold as coming on David, and we are entering on that part of his career when the prediction is fulfilled in earnest. The foulness of this chapter we would not dwell upon more than we can help. Tamar of course, while sister to Absalom, was half-sister to Amnon, the two young men being sons of David by different wives. “A garment of divers colours” (2 Samuel 13:18 ) might be... read more
Pine Traits In the Character of David 2 Samuel 17-19 IT will have been observed that we have not spared king David in our judgment of the evil which he wrought in Israel. We have been careful to mete out to him the full penalty, so that the scoffer should have no advantage over the Christian in condemning the iniquity of the king. We ourselves have trembled under the thunders of the judgment which has been pronounced upon him. Sometimes as the hot sentences fell we almost cried out, Spare the... read more
(17) Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz stayed by Enrogel; for they might not be seen to come into the city: and a wench went and told them; and they went and told king David. (18) Nevertheless a lad saw them, and told Absalom: but they went both of them away quickly, and came to a man's house in Bahurim, which had a well in his court; whither they went down. (19) And the woman took and spread a covering over the well's mouth, and spread ground corn thereon; and the thing was not known. (20) And when... read more
Water. Hebrew, "they have crossed the brook of water." (Calmet) read more
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John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 17:1-29
The Fall of AhithophelAbsalom follows the advice of Hushai rather than that of Ahithophel, who thereupon hangs himself. David retreats to Mahanaim.3. The death of David would put an end to all resistance, and bring about peace. 7. At this time] RV ’this time.’ Hushai contrasts this suggestion of Ahithophel with his former advice (2 Samuel 16:21), which was good. 8. A man of war] Ahithophel’s advice, though plausible, was not sound. David was too experienced a warrior to be caught unprepared.16.... read more