Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 18:16
Joab blew the trumpet - He knew that the rebellion was now extinguished by the death of Absalom; and was not willing that any farther slaughter should be made of the deluded people. read more
サムエル記Ⅱ 18:7-17 Jcb
Adam Clarke
Adam Clarke
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 18:17
And laid a very great heap of stones - This was the method of burying heroes, and even traitors, the heap of stones being designed to perpetuate the memory of the event, whether good or bad. The ancient cairns or heaps of stones, in different parts of the world, are of this kind. The various tumuli or barrows in England are the same as the cairns in different parts of Ireland and Scotland. In the former, stones were not plenty; hence they heaped up great mounds of earth. read more
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 18:1-8
( MAHANAIM .) David's victory over his rebellious subjects. Having found refuge in the fortified city of Mahanaim ( 2 Samuel 2:8 ), and recruited their exhausted energies, David and those who were with him prepared for the conflict which now seemed inevitable. Meanwhile (during several weeks) Absalom collected a great army ( 2 Samuel 17:11 ), appointed Amasa captain, crossed the Jordan, and encamped in the land of Gilead ( 2 Samuel 17:24-27 ). Here, "in the wood of Ephraim" ( 2... read more
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 18:1-18
The facts are: 1 . David, refreshed by the aid sent him, sets himself to the work of organizing his followers, and divides them into three corps, under Joab, Abishai, and Ittai respectively. 2 . On his proposing to head the force, the people urge him to desist from doing so, pointing out that, in case of a conflict, the enemy would be sure to make an endeavour to kill him rather than to fight a regular battle. 3 . The king yields to their persuasions, and, as they suggest, abides... read more
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 18:8
The battle was there scattered. The word in the Hebrew is a noun, which the Massorites have changed into a participle. But the noun is right: "The battle became a scattering," that is, it was a series of disconnected encounters, in which David's three divisions attacked and routed Absalom's men, while still on the march, without giving them an opportunity of collecting and forming in order of battle. And the wood devoured more people that day thin the sword devoured. The woodland was... read more
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 18:9
Absalom met the servants of David. The verb means that he came upon them by chance. Evidently in the intricacies of the forest, Absalom. had lost his way, and, finding himself suddenly in damager of being captured by some of David's men, he urged his mule through a thicket, as the open ground was blocked by his pursuers. But in the attempt his head was jammed between the boughs of a great terebinth, and the mule, struggling onward, left him hanging in mid-air. Nothing is said about his hair... read more
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 18:9-14
( THE WOOD OF EPHRAIM .) A faithful soldier. "Though I should receive [literally, 'weigh'] a thousand pieces of silver in mine hand, yet would I not put forth mine hand against the king's son" ( 2 Samuel 18:12 ). While pursuing the enemy, a brave soldier came upon their leader, suspended from "the entangled branches of the great terebinth," in which his head was fastened so that he could not extricate himself. He forthwith reported what he had seen to Joab, who asked him why he... read more
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 18:11
A girdle. This was an important article of dress ( Ezekiel 23:15 ), and was often richly embroidered. Absalom's death was well deserved, and there can be little doubt that, if he had gained the victory, he would have massacred David and all his family. The dishonour done to his father at Jerusalem was even intended by Ahithophel to render all reconciliation impossible. But Joab was disobeying the king's express orders, and as Absalom was incapable of making resistance, he ought to have... read more
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 18:12
Though I should receive. The Hebrew text expresses the horror of the man at Joab's proposal much more vividly than the tame correction of the Massorites admitted into the Authorized Version: "And I, no! weighing in my palm a thousand of silver, I would not put forth my hand against the son of the king." read more
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Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 18:15
Ten young men - smote Absalom and slew him - That is, they all pierced the body; but there could be no life in it after three darts had been thrust through the heart: but they added as much as would have killed him had he been alive. read more