2 Samuel 15:19, 2 Samuel 15:20 ESV

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 2 Samuel 15:19

2 Samuel 15:19. Ittai the Gittite— The Jews say, that this Ittai was the son of king Achish, and that, being obliged to quit Gath on account of his attachment to David, he came to offer him his services at the head of the six hundred men mentioned in the foregoing verse, who, as well as himself, had embraced the Jewish religion; an opinion which seems as probable as any other. It is very certain, however, that they came but the day before, 2 Samuel 15:20.; and David, from a principle of... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 2 Samuel 15:13-37

David’s flight from Jerusalem 15:13-37The people of Israel had formerly given the kingdom to David as a gift (2 Samuel 5:1-3), but now they took that gift from him (2 Samuel 15:13). [Note: Gunn, "David and . . .," p. 22.] David knew that Absalom was popular with the people. Evidently he fled Jerusalem to save his own life and to spare the capital from destruction. Perhaps Absalom planned to destroy David’s capital as well as to kill the king and reassert Judean supremacy. Clearly David planned... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 15:1-37

The Rebellion of AbsalomHis party is so strong that David is obliged to flee from Jerusalem. He is joined by Ittai the Gittite, and by Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and by Hushai the Archite. The king, however, orders Zadok, Abiathar, and Hushai to return to Jerusalem.1. Fifty men to run before him] Such runners have always formed part of royal state in the East: cp. 1 Kings 1:5; 1 Kings 18:46. 2. Rose] rather, ’used to rise,’ and stand by the gate so as to meet all who went in or out.7.... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 2 Samuel 15:19

(19) Ittai the Gittite.—The patronymic must here be understood literally, since David calls him “a stranger and also an exile;” he had but comparatively recently (2 Samuel 15:20) attached himself to David’s service, bringing with him his family and others of his countrymen. From the fact that David afterwards entrusted him with the command of a third of his forces, it is clear that he must have been an experienced general. It cannot be shown positively that he was a proselyte, although this is... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - 2 Samuel 15:1-37

5. Absalom’s Conspiracy and David’s Flight CHAPTER 15 1. Absalom steals the hearts of the men of Israel (2 Samuel 15:1-6 ) 2. His conspiracy (2 Samuel 15:7-12 ) 3. The flight of the king (2 Samuel 15:13-37 ) The beautiful prince gradually prepared for the great conspiracy of which we read now and which made of his own father the Lord’s anointed, an exile. Chariots and horses with fifty men to run before him won no doubt the admiration of the people. His evident interest in their... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - 2 Samuel 15:19

15:19 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. read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 15:1-37

Absalom knew how to take full advantage of his outward acceptance by his father Now there was no difficulty in beginning to exalt himself in the eyes of Israel. His chariots and horses and fifty men to run before him (v.1) were all intended as a show of his importance. If David was troubled by this, we read nothing of it. More than this, Absalom was adept in influencing the people personally. Others ought to have seen through his activities, and to have warned David, but he got away with his... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:1-37

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

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - 2 Samuel 15:1-37

Absalom 2 Samuel 14-16 THESE chapters are full of men who reveal human nature in its best and its worst aspects. What plots and counterplots are here! What hypocrisy, and what unfeigned sorrow! The whole world is in these few chapters in miniature. What action, what colour, what passion, what cunning! But where the crowd is so great, discrimination is the more necessary. Let us, then, discriminate between those who serve God and those who serve him not. In chapter 14 we have a picture of... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:19-22

(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. (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. (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... read more