2 Samuel 15

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:6

Absalom stole the hearts. By professing anxiety to devote himself to the hearing and deciding of the people's causes, by flattering each one with the assurance that his case was so good that it needed only a hearing to be decided in his favour, and by his affability, made the more charming and irresistible by his personal beauty, he won the love of the people almost without their knowing how devoted they had become to him. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:7

After forty years. As Absalom was born in Hebron after David was made king ( 2 Samuel 3:3 ), and as David's whole reign lasted only forty years and six months, the reading "forty" is evidently incorrect. Suggestions, such, for instance, as that the forty years are to be reckoned from the desire of the Israelites to have a king, or from the anointing of David by Samuel, are merely methods of evading a difficulty. The Syriac, however, and the Vulgate—except the Codex Amiatinus, which reads... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:7-9

Absalom's pious vow. David and his ministers must have been singularly blind and negligent to have allowed Absalom so far to have prepared the way for the revolution he contemplated as he must have done before asking permission to go to Hebron. Nor does the permission itself show less blindness. David should have known his son better than to have so readily believed that he was likely to have made a pious vow, and to be burdened in conscience by its long non-fulfilment, especially as he... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:10

Absalom sent spies. The word means "those who go hither and thither," and, as the object of such journeying would usually be. to gather information, the right translation often is "spies." Here there was no such purpose, nor were they to report to Absalom, but to disperse themselves everywhere, and, when the signal was given at Hebron, they were to endeavour to gather the people to Absalom's standard. Some simple minded commentators wonder how one trumpet could be heard throughout the land.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:11

Two hundred men. These, doubtless, were courtiers and men of rank, who were so accustomed to Absalom's love of display, that, when called , that is, invited, they would go without suspicion. To Absalom their attendance was most important, not only because, being compromised, many would join him, and even all of them for a time be forced to yield obedience, but because they would make the people of Hebron suppose that Absalom had a powerful body of supporters at Jerusalem. It is quite... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:12

Ahithophel the Gilonite. The desertion of David by Ahithophel is in every way remarkable, even if he were Bathsheba's grandfather (see note on 2 Samuel 11:3 ). For he was far too subtle a man to have joined the conspiracy unless he bad felt reasonably sure that it would be successful. Successful it would have been had his advice been followed; but so correctly did he estimate the result if David were allowed time to gather his friends, that, when his counsel was rejected, he withdrew... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:13-18

David's flight from Jerusalem. "Arise! and let us flee" ( 2 Samuel 15:14 ). References : 1 . Leaving the palace, on receiving news from Hebron (after the harvest and vintage, 2 Samuel 16:1 ; 2 Samuel 17:28 ; Psalms 4:7 ). 2 . At "the Far House" (Beth-hammerhak), on the outskirts of the city ( 2 Samuel 15:17 ); and at "the olive tree in (on the road to) the wilderness of Judah" ( LXX .); the procession formed; Ittai the Gittite. 3 . Passing over the Kidron; the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:13-30

The facts are: 1 . David, being informed of the rising in favour of Absalom, calls upon his friends to flee from Jerusalem, in order to avoid its being smitten by a sudden attack. 2 . His servants being willing to go with him, he leads out his entire household, with the exception of a few to take care of the house. 3 . In his departure he is accompanied by his bodyguard, and the six hundred men which followed him from Garb. 4 . Observing Ittai in the company, he suggests that,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:14

Arise, and let us flee. The rebellion of Absalom, and David's humiliating flight, bring out all the better parts of the king's character, and set him once again before us as a man after God's own heart. For this period is richly illustrated by the psalms which were written under the pressure of this great affliction, and which are marked by firm confidence in God, and an assured sense of the Divine nearness and protection. Psalms 41:1-13 . shows how poignant was his anguish at Ahithophel's... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:15

The king's servants. These were the officers of David's court and household, numerous enough to hamper his movements, but not enough to protect him. All David's wives, moreover, went, and his children, and some of his concubines ( 2 Samuel 19:5 ), ten, however, being left in charge of the palace. read more

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:6

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:7

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:7-9

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:10

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:11

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:12

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:13-18

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:13-30

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:14

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:15

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