The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 17:4
All the elders of Israel. Their presence seems to show that Absalom professed to act in an orderly and constitutional manner, and with the advice of those in authority. It was possibly this wish to keep up appearances which made him command Hushai to be summoned, as he was one whose advice would certainly have been asked had matters gone on in their ordinary channel. So again in 2 Samuel 17:14 , 2 Samuel 17:15 , Absalom acts only with the popular consent. Very probably the royal power... read more
The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 17:3
The man whom thou seekest is as if all returned; Hebrew, as the return of the whole is the man whom thou seekest . Both the amendments of the text and the various translations offered are innumerable, but nothing is really more satisfactory than the literal rendering of the words, virtually given us in the Authorized Version. Naturally, Ahithophel did not wish to parade David's death too openly. In his heart Absalom must have known that the safe possession of the kingdom could be assured... read more