2 Samuel 17:1-14, 2 Samuel 17:23 RVA

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 17:10

And he also that is valiant, whose heart is as the heart of a lion, shall utterly melt ,.... That is, whoever should hear of Absalom's forces, or a part of them, being routed, would be intimidated, though ever so courageous, or of such a lion-like temper and disposition; and even Ahithophel himself, notwithstanding all his boasted courage, his heart would fail, he would melt like water F8 ηυτε λειβεαι υδωρ , Moschi Idyll 2. ver. 45. , Joshua 7:5 ; should he meet with such a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 17:11

Therefore I counsel ,.... My advice is as follows: that all Israel be generally gathered unto thee, from Dan even to Beersheba, as the sand that is by the sea for multitude : not all the inhabitants of the land, but such as are fit to bear arms, or that were soldiers, employed in military affairs, in keeping garrisons, guarding the coasts, &c.; even the militia of the nation, from the extreme boundary of it on the north to the extreme boundary of it on the south; in such a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 17:12

So shall we come upon him in some place where he shall be found ,.... For such a numerous army, which would be spread abroad, could not well fail of finding him out, let him be in what lurking place he would; whereas he might lie concealed, and escape so small a number as twelve thousand men: and we will light upon him as the dew falleth upon the ground ; whose drops are innumerable, and cover all the ground where they fall; and the phrase not only expresses their numbers, but the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 17:13

Moreover, if he be gotten into a city ,.... A strong fortified place, thinking to secure himself there, where he might hold out against those that were risen against him; the former part of the account supposes him in the field, where he would soon be detected, if hidden in a pit or any other place, or if he appeared openly would quickly be overthrown by the numerous forces of Absalom; and here it suggests, should he betake himself to a city for shelter: then shall all Israel bring ropes... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 17:14

And Absalom and all the men of Israel said ,.... That is, the elders, who before approved of the counsel of Ahithophel, 2 Samuel 17:4 , the counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel ; it appeared to them most plausible, and most likely to be attended with success: for the Lord had appointed to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel ; for so it was to Absalom and his party the best and wisest that could be given them; but it was the Lord's will it... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 17:1

Let me now choose out twelve thousand men - Had this counsel been followed, David and his little troop would soon have been destroyed; nothing but the miraculous interposition of God could have saved them. Twelve thousand chosen troops coming against him, in his totally unprepared state, would have soon settled the business of the kingdom. Ahithophel well saw that, this advice neglected, all was lost. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 17:3

The man whom thou seekest is as if all returned - Only secure David, and all Israel will be on thy side. He is the soul of the whole; destroy him, and all the rest will submit. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 17:8

As a bear robbed of her whelps - All wild beasts are very furious when robbed of their young; but we have some remarkable instances of the maternal affection of the bear in such circumstances; see one at the end of the chapter. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 17:13

Shall all Israel bring ropes to that city - The original word חבלים chabalim , which signifies ropes, and from which we have our word cable, may have some peculiarity of meaning here; for it is not likely that any city could be pulled down with ropes. The Chaldee, which should be best judge in this case, translates the original word by משרין mashreyan , towers: this gives an easy sense. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 17:1

EXPOSITION Let me now choose out twelve thousand men. The advice of Ahithophel was such as would have made success almost certain. The rebellion had taken David by surprise, and he was quite unprepared to resist the large forces which Absalom had gathered round him. But the better part of the nation disapproved of the enterprise, especially when they perceived that David's life was in danger; and consequently his followers, in course of time, would increase. Moreover, the day had... read more

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 17:10

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 17:11

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 17:12

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 17:13

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 17:14

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 17:1

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 17:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 17:8

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 17:13

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 17:1

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