2 Samuel 15:32-37

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:31-37

Prayer for Divine intervention. The facts are: 1 . David, hearing that Ahithophel was among the conspirators, prays that God would turn his counsel into foolishness. 2 . On reaching the top of the Mount of Olives, the aged Hushai expresses his desire to go with David into exile, but David declines his offer on account of his infirmities. 3 . On the other hand, David suggests that he can render him good service by returning to the city and living as a servant of Absalom, and he... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:32

Where he worshipped God; more correctly, where God was worshipped, and so the Revised Version. The summit of the Mount of Olives was one of the many bamoth, or high places, situated on the top of hills, where, in the old Canaanitish time, men had worshipped their heathenish deities. They were still regarded as consecrated places, but the worship had now been transferred to Elohim, the true God. They continued to be hallowed spots, with Levitical priests to minister at them, until the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:32

The place of worship. "The top of the mount where God was worshipped" (Revised Version). This "top of the mount" is one of the most sacred spots in the world—the universe. For here the Son of God wept over Jerusalem, which lay full in view at his feet, as he thought of its coming destruction, and declared the cause of it ( Luke 19:41 ). In David's time there appears to have been a "high place" there, where men were accustomed to worship God. It seems strange that so near to the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:32-37

( THE TOP OF MOUNT OLIVET .) The friendship of Hushai. ( References: Joshua 16:2 ; 2 Samuel 16:16-19 ; 2 Samuel 17:5-15 ; 1 Chronicles 27:33 ; 1 Kings 4:16 .) Like Uriah and Ittai, he may have been of Gentile origin and a proselyte; was far advanced in life ( 2 Samuel 15:33 ), "the king's friend" or confidential adviser, and doubtless, in disposition, more congenial with David than the cool and calculating Ahithophel. "In him David saw the first gleam of hope. For... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:33

A burden unto me. Host likely because Hushai was old and infirm. Others, with less probability, think that it was because of his rank, which would demand special attendance. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:34

Then mayest thou for me defeat the counsel of Ahithophel. David was thus meeting treachery by treachery, and we cannot approve of it, even granting that Ahithophel's conduct was base and selfish, while Hushai was risking his life for his master. Still, he was sent back to tell a falsehood, and his excuse was necessity; for Ahithophel was so sagacious that, if his counsel were not upset, David's cause was lost. It was not Christian morality, but yet it has a sort of nobleness about it in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:37

Absalom came into Jerusalem. Absalom had evidently pushed rapidly forward from Hebron, in hopes, perhaps, of surprising David in the city. Evidently he entered it on the day of David's flight ( 2 Samuel 17:1 ), and Ahithophers proposal to select twelve thousand men from Absalom's followers shows how very powerful the conspiracy was. Had this advice been followed, the decisive battle would have been fought that evening at the fords of the Jordan, a few miles only from Jerusalem. ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 15:32

Render ... “when David was come to the top of the mount where people worship God.” The top here, and in 2 Samuel 16:1, is used almost as a proper name. No doubt there was a high-place upon the top of the Mount of Olives. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 15:32

2 Samuel 15:32. The top of the mount, where he worshipped Looking, doubtless, toward Jerusalem, where the ark and tabernacle, which he had made for it, were. Hushai, the Archite came to meet him Probably he was from Archi, a city in the tribe of Ephraim, (see Joshua 16:2,) and coming to Jerusalem, was made one of David’s privy council because of his wisdom; otherwise, it is not likely that Absalom would so readily have entertained him, and admitted him to his secrets. The coming of Hushai... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 15:33

2 Samuel 15:33. If thou passest on with me, thou shalt be a burden, &c. For he was not provided, it seems, with sufficient support for his own family; and Hushai, though famous as a counsellor in the cabinet, being unpractised in the camp, and no soldier, could not be so useful to him in the army as he might be at court. David therefore, conceives the idea of employing him in endeavouring to defeat or render abortive the counsel of Ahithophel. read more

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