2 Samuel 16:1-23

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 16:18

And Hushai said to Absalom ,.... In answer to his questions: nay, but whom the Lord, and his people, and all the men of Israel choose : here again he speaks very ambiguously; for this circumlocution, or descriptive character of the king of Israel, better agrees with David, whom he might bear in mind, than with Absalom; for the Lord had chosen David, and he was anointed by his order, and all the people of Israel had chosen and anointed him likewise; but as for Absalom, it was only a part... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 16:19

And again, whom should I serve ?.... Or "secondly" F5 השנית "secunda", Montanus, Munster, Vatablus; "secundo", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator. , a second reason is here given for serving Absalom: the first was the choice of God and the people, the second follows: should I not serve in the presence of his son? as I have served in thy father's presence, so will I be in thy presence : he signifies, that as the kingdom was not translated into another family, but continued in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 16:20

Then said Absalom to Ahithophel ,.... Having two such able counsellors as he and Hushai, he directs his speech to Ahithophel, as being his first and chief counsellor: give counsel among you what we shall do ; he orders them to form a counsel, consult among themselves what was proper to be now done at Jerusalem, whether it was right to stay here or pursue after David and his men. Absalom did not send to the high priest to ask counsel of God, by Urim and Thummim before the ark, but wholly... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 16:21

And Ahithophel said unto Absalom ,.... Either immediately of himself, without consulting with others; or after a consultation had been held between them, he as the president of it, and their mouth, gave the following advice; though the former seems most correct: go in unto thy father's concubines, which he hath left, to keep the house ; and lie with them; there were ten of them, 2 Samuel 15:16 , and all Israel shall hear that thou art abhorred of thy father ; this fact will be so... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 16:22

So they spread Absalom a tent on the top of the house ,.... On the top of his father's palace; this, as houses in Jerusalem and Judea were, was built flat, Deuteronomy 22:8 ; and it was on the very spot from whence David had a sight of Bathsheba, and conceived an impure lust after her. The Targum renders it, a canopy; which Kimchi describes as consisting of four pillars, upon and round about which curtains were hung: and Absalom went in unto his father's concubines in the sight of all... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 16:23

And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he had counselled in those days ,.... Both in the days of David, and in the days of Absalom, before and since the rebellion: was as if a man had inquired of the oracle of God ; such an opinion was entertained of it, so well satisfied were they with it, and as confident of success in taking it, as if the Lord himself had been consulted by Urim and Thummim; this is a very great exaggeration of Ahithophel's counsel, and is observed as a reason why it... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 16:1

Two hundred loaves of bread - The word loaf gives us a false idea of the ancient Jewish bread; it was thin cakes, not yeasted and raised like ours. Bunches of raisins - See on 1 Samuel 25:18 ; (note). Summer fruits - These were probably pumpions, cucumbers, or watermelons. The two latter are extensively used in those countries to refresh travelers in the burning heat of the summer. Mr. Harmer supposes they are called summer fruits on this very account. A bottle ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 16:2

The asses be for the king ' s household - This is the Eastern method of speaking when any thing is presented to a great man: "This and this is for the slaves of the servants of your majesty," when at the same time the presents are intended for the sovereign himself, and are so understood. It is a high Eastern compliment: These presents are not worthy of your acceptance; they are only fit for the slaves of your slaves. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 16:3

To-day shall the house of Israel - What a base wretch was Ziba! and how unfounded was this accusation against the peaceable, loyal and innocent Mephibosheth! read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 16:4

Thine are all - This conduct of David was very rash; he spoiled an honorable man to reward a villain, not giving himself time to look into the circumstances of the case. But David was in heavy afflictions, and these sometimes make even a wise man mad. Nothing should be done rashly; he who is in the habit of obeying the first impulse of his passions or feelings, will seldom do a right action, and never keep a clear conscience. read more

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