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Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 16:20

20. Give counsel among you what we shall do—This is the first cabinet council on record, although the deference paid to Ahithophel gave him the entire direction of the proceedings. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 16:21

21. Ahithophel said unto Absalom—This councillor saw that now the die was cast; half measures would be inexpedient. To cut off all possibility of reconciliation between the king and his rebellious son, he gave this atrocious advice regarding the treatment of the royal women who had been left in charge of the palace. Women, being held sacred, are generally left inviolate in the casualties of war. The history of the East affords only one parallel to this infamous outrage of Absalom. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 2 Samuel 16:15-29

The counsel of Ahithophel and Hushai 16:15-17:29This is the central unit of chapters 5-20, and its central focus is the judgment that Hushai’s advice was better than Ahithophel’s (2 Samuel 17:14). This advice is the pivot on which the fortunes of David turned in his dealings with Absalom.Hushai was loyal to David primarily because David was the Lord’s anointed (2 Samuel 16:18). His words to Absalom implied that he was supporting the revolution, but everything that Hushai said could have been... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 16:1-23

Ziba, Shimei, and AhithophelDavid, during his flight, is assisted by Ziba, but is cursed by Shimei. The cause of Absalom is promoted by the wise counsel of Ahithophel.1. An hundred of summer fruits] a hundred cakes into which summer fruits were compressed. 2. With true Oriental deference he does not venture to say they are for the king’s own use, 8. All the blood of the house of Saul] The reference is probably to the incident recorded in 2 Samuel 21:1-14.11. The lord hath bidden him] David... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 2 Samuel 16:21

(21) And Ahithophel said.—The counsel of Ahithophel was in effect that Absalom should make the breach between him and his father absolute and irreconcilable. His followers would thus be assured of the impossibility of his securing a pardon for himself while they were left to their fate. After adopting this course, he must necessarily persist to the end. The taking of the harem of his predecessor by the incoming monarch was an Oriental custom, to the enormity of which the mind was blunted by the... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 2 Samuel 16:22

(22) A tent upon the top of the house.—Nathan had foretold that the nature of David’s public punishment should correspond to the character of his secret crime. The fact that this punishment takes place on the very roof where David had first yielded to his guilty passion makes it particularly striking. read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 16:15-23

CHAPTER XXII.ABSALOM IN COUNCIL.2 Samuel 16:15-23; 2 Samuel 17:1-14; 2 Samuel 17:23.WE must now return to Jerusalem, and trace the course of events there on that memorable day when David left it, to flee toward the wilderness, just a few hours before Absalom entered it from Hebron. When Absalom came to the city, there was no trace of an enemy to oppose him. His supporters in Jerusalem would no doubt go out to meet him, and conduct him to the palace with great demonstrations of delight. Eastern... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - 2 Samuel 16:1-23

6. The Sorrows and Testings of the King CHAPTER 16 1. Lying Ziba (2 Samuel 16:1-4 ) 2. Shimei curses and stones David (2 Samuel 16:5-14 ) 3. Absalom enters Jerusalem (2 Samuel 16:15-19 ) 4. Ahitophel’s wicked counsel (2 Samuel 16:20-23 ) Ziba in great craftiness meets the exiled king with provisions and acts as the false accuser of Mephibosheth. And David hastily puts all that belongs to Mephibosheth into his hands. Strange that David could believe in the falsehood of Ziba. How could... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - 2 Samuel 16:17

16:17 And Absalom said to Hushai, [Is] this thy kindness to thy {i} friend? why wentest thou not with thy friend?(i) Meaning, David. read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - 2 Samuel 16:21

16:21 And {k} Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Go in unto thy father’s concubines, which he hath left to keep the house; and all Israel shall hear that thou art abhorred of thy father: then shall the hands of all that [are] with thee be strong.(k) Suspecting the change of the kingdom, and so his own overthrow, he gives such counsel as might most hinder his father’s reconciliation: and also declare to the people that Absalom was in highest authority. read more

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