2 Samuel 13

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 13:22

Absalom spake …neither good nor bad. (On this phrase, see Genesis 24:50 ; Genesis 31:24 .) Absalom's outward demeanour was one of utter indifference, concealing a cruel determination. It is strange how unlike the son was to the father. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 13:22-29

( BAAL - HAZOR .) The revenge of Absalom. "Absalom hated Amnon." References: 1 . Third son (Chileab, probably, being dead) of David, by Maacab, daughter of Talmai, King of Geshur; born at Hebron, his name ("father of peace") indicating, perhaps, the hope entertained at his birth ( 2 Samuel 3:1-5 ). "The young handsome hero must have been conspicuous among the soldiers of Israel, and taken his place among the sons of David, who were 'chief rulers.'" 2 . Hatred (when about... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 13:23

Absalom had sheep shearers in Baal-hazor. The sheep shearing was a usual occasion for feasting and holiday keeping (see 1 Samuel 25:2 , 1 Samuel 25:8 ). Baal-hazor was apparently the name of Absalom's estate, situated near the town Ephraim ( 2 Chronicles 13:19 ), which, according to Eusebius, lay about eight miles north of Jerusalem. As Ephraim was near the wilderness of Judah, it was probably the same town as that to which our Lord withdrew ( John 11:54 ). The phrase beside ,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 13:23-39

The facts are: 1 . Absalom, holding a sheep shearing festival at Baal-hazor, invites the king and his sons. 2 . The king, declining to go on account of being unnecessarily burdensome, gets rid of Absalom's entreaty, and bestows on him a parting blessing. 3 . After some persuasion, Absalom obtains permission for all the king's sons to accompany him. 4 . During the festivities the servants of Absalom, in obedience to their master, smite Amnon, whereupon all the other of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 13:25

But blessed him. These words, in the courtly language of the East, not only mean that David parted from Absalom with kindly feelings and good wishes, but that he made him a rich present (see note on 1 Samuel 25:27 , where the same word occurs; and observe the nature of Abigail's blessing described there). David's court had evidently become lavish, when thus a visit from him to his son's farm would be too costly for the young prince's means; but had he so increased his present as to have... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 13:28

Smite Amnon. The order was given before the banquet began, and every arrangement made to render the attack successful. Though Tamar's wrong was the mainspring of Absalom's conduct, yet neither he nor his men would forget that Amnon stood between him and the crown; and Amnon, entirely off his guard, never very wise at his best, and with his senses made dull by wine, seems to have fallen an easy prey. And as soon as the murder was committed, the rest of the king's sons, though all had... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 13:30

Tidings came. Some of the servants seem to have fled immediately that the attack was made, and in their terror reported, not what had really happened, but what they assumed was Absalom's purpose. It shows, however, how thoroughly Absalom had dissembled when thus they entirely forgot that he had a grudge against Amnon. And David, in utter misery, tears his robes, and throws himself prostrate on the ground, while his courtiers, with rent garments, stand speechless round him. But the guilty... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 13:30-39

( JERUSALEM ) Parental sorrows. "And the king also and all his servants wept very sore" ( 2 Samuel 13:36 ). David's intense feeling appears in his affection ( 2 Samuel 13:6 , 2 Samuel 13:25 , 2 Samuel 13:39 ), his wrath ( 2 Samuel 13:21 ), and his grief ( 2 Samuel 13:31 ). The delight which a father finds in his children is seldom unalloyed. His sorrows, on their account, are— I. OFTTIMES PECULIARLY SEVERE . 1 . Their misbehaviour. "A 'house cross' is the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 13:32

By the appointment; literally, for upon the mouth of Absalom it was laid from the day he humbled Tamar his sister, "Mouth" is not the word we should have expected here, and the Syriac instead has "mind," and the Chaldee "heart." But the mouth often expresses determination, and Jonadab may have noticed Absalom looking at his brother with compressed lips. More probably, however, it is a colloquial phrase, with no special application to Absalom; and the Syriac gives the true sense. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 13:34

But Absalom fled. These words break the form of the narrative, but complete the sense. They briefly state that Jonadab was right; for, so far from molesting any of the rest of the king's sons, Absalom had no other thought than for his own safety. He had avenged his sister, but had at present no other sinister design. It was David's method of treating him which drove this youth, with a nature fit for treachery, into schemes of rebellion. The way of the hillside behind him. This may mean... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 13:22

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 13:22-29

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 13:23

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 13:23-39

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 13:25

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 13:28

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 13:30

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 13:30-39

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 13:32

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 13:34

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