2 Samuel 18:1, 2 Samuel 18:2

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 18:1-33

O, ABSALOM , MY SON , MY SON ! LUST, MURDER AND DECEIT (2 Samuel 13:0 ) In the preceding lesson judgments were foretold as coming on David, and we are entering on that part of his career when the prediction is fulfilled in earnest. The foulness of this chapter we would not dwell upon more than we can help. Tamar of course, while sister to Absalom, was half-sister to Amnon, the two young men being sons of David by different wives. “A garment of divers colours” (2 Samuel 13:18 ) might be... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - 2 Samuel 18:1-33

Pine Traits In the Character of David 2 Samuel 17-19 IT will have been observed that we have not spared king David in our judgment of the evil which he wrought in Israel. We have been careful to mete out to him the full penalty, so that the scoffer should have no advantage over the Christian in condemning the iniquity of the king. We ourselves have trembled under the thunders of the judgment which has been pronounced upon him. Sometimes as the hot sentences fell we almost cried out, Spare the... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - 2 Samuel 18:1

CONTENTS This Chapter concludes the history of Absalom's rebellion, and an awful conclusion, to the rebel it proved. David sendeth forth his armies; gives a charge to his officers to deal favourably with Absalom. Absalom is slain. Victory determines in favour of David; but the king mourneth for his son. 2 Samuel 18:1 (1) ¶ And David numbered the people that were with him, and set captains of thousands and captains of hundreds over them. It is not said what numbers the whole army consisted of.... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 18:1

Hundreds. Josephus only allows David 4000 men. But his army seems to have been pretty numerous, since he divides it into three parts, and appoints three head commanders, with officers of a thousand, &c., under them. See ver. 4. (Calmet) --- He designed to lead them to battle himself, if the people had not dissuaded him. (Salien) read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 18:1-8

1-8 How does David render good for evil! Absalom would have only David smitten; David would have only Absalom spared. This seems to be a resemblance of man's wickedness towards God, and God's mercy to man, of which it is hard to say which is most amazing. Now the Israelites see what it is to take counsel against the Lord and his anointed. read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - 2 Samuel 18:1-18

The End of Absalom v. 1. And David numbered the people that were with him, and set captains of thousands and captains of hundreds over them, the mustering being done with the care of the experienced general. v. 2. And David, having made three divisions of his army, sent forth a third part of the people under the hand of Joab and a third part under the hand of Abishai, the son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother, and a third part under the hand of Ittai the Gittite, the three divisions thus being sent... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - 2 Samuel 18:1-33

For the Chapter 18 passage and footnotes, see 1 Samuel 17:24 ff.b. 2 Samuel 18:1-8. The battle in the forest of Ephraim2 Samuel 18:1-2. David organizes his army, and disposes it for battle.2 Samuel 18:1 sq. 1) The mustering of the whole body of people with David, which had been constantly growing by reinforcements from the country east of the Jordan; 2) the division into smaller bodies of hundreds and thousands; 3) the organization of the whole army in three grand divisions under Joab, Abishai... read more

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - 2 Samuel 18:1-15

the End of an Unfilial Son 2 Samuel 18:1-15 Absalom’s army was soon across the river under Amasa, David’s nephew, 2 Samuel 17:25-26 . Though political reasons constrained David to flight, his heart bled for his wrong-headed and evil-hearted son, and he gave urgent directions for his safety. Let us here learn something of God’s own heart of love. We may have been heartless and thoughtless, have defied His authority and refused to give Him His rightful place; but He gives charge concerning us,... read more

G. Campbell Morgan

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 18:1-33

The delay advised by Hushai resulted in multitudes gathering to David, and at last the day of battle between those loyal to him and Absalom's followers arrived. Two men attract our attention, David and Joab. A chastened and almost docile spirit is evident as the king yielded to the constraint of his people, and did not himself lead the hosts. It is conceivable, and, indeed, almost certain, that his love for Absalom caused his action. He earnestly charged those going to battle to deal gently... read more

James Nisbet

James Nisbet's Church Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 18:1-2

TWO ROYAL PRINCES—A CONTRAST‘The young man Absalom.’ 2 Samuel 18:1-Exodus :‘Jonathan, the son of Saul.’1 Samuel 19:1It may impress the lesson of warning from the story of Absalom if we contrast it with that of Jonathan, all the more that in things outward the two were so much alike, while in character they were wide as the poles asunder. Looking, then, at the life of Absalom, we notice:— I. His advantages.—As a prince of the royal house he had the highest position in the land next to the... read more

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