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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:7-12

We have here the breaking out of Absalom's rebellion, which he had long been contriving. It is said to be after forty years, 2 Sam. 15:7. But whence it is to be dated we are not told; not from David's beginning his reign, for then it would fall in the last year of his life, which is not probable; but either from his first anointing by Samuel seven years before, or rather (I think) from the people's desiring a king, and the first change of the government into a monarchy, which might be about... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:13-23

Here is, I. The notice brought to David of Absalom's rebellion, 2 Sam. 15:13. The matter was bad enough, and yet it seems to have been made worse to him (as such things commonly are) than really it was; for he was told that the hearts of the men of Israel (that is, the generality of them, at least the leading men) were after Absalom. But David was the more apt to believe it because now he could call to mind the arts that Absalom had used to inveigle them, and perhaps reflected upon it with... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:12

And Absalom sent for Ahithophel, the Gilonite, David's counsellor ,.... To advise with about this treasonable affair he was engaged in, and to get out of him David's secrets, who was reckoned the best counsellor in the land; and he might rather hope he would come to him, if he was the grandfather of Bathsheba, as say the Jews, 2 Samuel 11:3 ; since he might be disgusted with and resent David's adultery with Bathsheba his granddaughter, and the murder of her husband Uriah: him he sent for: ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:13

And there came a messenger to David ,.... Perhaps one of the two hundred that went with Absalom, ignorant of his design; which, when discovered, he disapproved of, and got away from him, and came to David, and informed him how things were: saying, the hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom ; to make him king. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 15:12

Sent for Ahithophel - When Absalom got him, he in effect got the prime minister of the kingdom to join him. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 15:13

The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom - It is very difficult to account for this general defection of the people. Several reasons are given: David was old or afflicted, and could not well attend to the administration of justice in the land. It does appear that the king did not attend to the affairs of state, and that there were no properly appointed judges in the land; see 2 Samuel 15:3 . Joab's power was overgrown; he was wicked and insolent,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:1-12

The shady side of human nature. The facts are: 1 . Absalom sets up a large domestic establishment with a semblance of royalty. 2 . Rising early in the morning of each day, he is first to meet the suitors for judgment at the gate of the city, and seizes the occasion for insinuating that there is defect in the king's provision for the administration of justice. 3 . He also professes to manifest sympathy with suitors by expressing the wish that he were in a position to do them... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:1-12

( JERUSALEM , HEBRON .) The rebellion of Absalom. About twelve years had elapsed since David's fall into sin. One of its effects was the rebellion of Absalom. The history of this event—most critical for the theocratic monarchy, and "revealing the thoughts of many hearts"—sheds a clear light upon the condition of Israel. "We seem to know all the people; the natural manners and vivid outbursts of feeling make the scene stand out with a kind of homely poetry." In it we discern the... 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

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