2 Samuel 18:1-19:42 NIV

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 18:1

1, 2. David numbered the people that were with him—The hardy mountaineers of Gilead came in great numbers at the call of their chieftains, so that, although without money to pay any troops, David soon found himself at the head of a considerable army. A pitched battle was now inevitable. But so much depending on the life of the king, he was not allowed to take the field in person; and he therefore divided his forces into three detachments under Joab, Abishai, and Ittai, the commander of the... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 2 Samuel 18:1-5

The mustering of David’s troops 18:1-5The writer referred to David no less than five times in this section as "the king," leaving no doubt as to who was the legitimate ruler and who was really in charge. Perhaps David instructed his three commanders to deal gently with Absalom, not only because he was his son, but because God had dealt gently with David for his sins."The truth was that David acted as a father but not as a king-as if he and Absalom had had some minor domestic quarrel which could... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 2 Samuel 18:1-18

The end of Absalom 18:1-18"In the overall structure of 2 Samuel 15:1 to 2 Samuel 20:22, the story of Absalom’s death (2 Samuel 18:1-18) provides a counterpoise to that of Shimei’s curse (2 Samuel 16:5-14 . . .). Just as in the earlier narrative an adversary of David (Shimei) curses him (2 Samuel 16:5, 2 Samuel 16:7-8, 2 Samuel 16:13), so also here an adversary of David (Absalom) opposes him in battle (2 Samuel 18:6-8); just as in the earlier account David demands that Shimei be spared (2 Samuel... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 18:1-33

The Defeat and Death of Absalom1. Numbered] rather, ’mustered.’3. Succour us out of the city] David, holding Mahanaim with a sufficient force, would be of the greatest assistance to the fugitives, if his army were defeated. 5. The people heard] This statement explains 2 Samuel 18:12.6. The wood of Ephraim] LXX reads ’Mahanaim’ here. 8. The battle was there scattered] So Joab was able to destroy Absalom’s forces in detail. The wood devoured, etc.] The thickness of the wood, its swamps,... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 2 Samuel 18:1

XVIII.(1) Numbered the people.—The word means rather mustered. David was some time at Mahanaim, organising the forces which continually gathered to him there. read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - 2 Samuel 18:1-33

The Might-have-been 2 Samuel 18:33 I. Besides the Absalom who was, there is the Absalom who might have been: this is the dead son whom David is lamenting, this is the son he knew, the son he cannot forget, whose image is not blotted out by the shamed figure of the murderer, rebel, traitor, which is the only Absalom visible to all the rest. II. King David has been for Jew and for Christian a type of the Christ. For this once we will make him a type of something else: he shall be an image not... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 18:1-18

CHAPTER XXIII.ABSALOM’S DEFEAT AND DEATH.2 Samuel 18:1-18.WHATEVER fears of defeat and destruction might occasionally flit across David’s soul between his flight from Jerusalem and the battle in the wood of Ephraim, it is plain both from his actions and from his songs that his habitual frame was one of serenity and trust. The number of psalms ascribed to this period of his life may be in excess of the truth; but that his heart was in near communion with God all the time we cannot doubt.... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - 2 Samuel 18:1-33

8. The Civil War and Absalom’s Death CHAPTER 18 1. The battle in the forest of Ephraim (2 Samuel 18:1-8 ) 2. The death of Absalom (2 Samuel 18:9-18 ) 3. The tidings of his death and David’s grief (2 Samuel 18:19-33 ) And now everything is ready for the battle and the victory. The army of David consisted of three divisions, Joab, Abishai and the faithful Ittai had the command. David was ready to go forth with his warriors, but the people refused to let him go. What a testimony they gave... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - 2 Samuel 18:1

18:1 And David {a} numbered the people that [were] with him, and set captains of thousands and captains of hundreds over them.(a) For certain of the Reubenites, Gadites, and of the half tribe could not bear the insolence of the son against the father, and therefore joined with David. read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 18:1-33

David had taken full advantage of the delay that Hushai had counselled to Absalom, with large numbers of the people being gathered to David. Now the time comes for war with Absalom, who has considered himself strong with support of many of Israel also. David divides his men into three bands, well organized and ready for battle. Joab is in charge of one band, Abishai his brother in charge of a second, and Ittai over the third. David's purpose to go out to battle also was however strongly... read more