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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 15:16

And the king went forth ,.... Which determined the case: and all his household after him family and his court ; they followed his example, and attended him in his flight: and the king left ten women, which were concubines, to keep the house ; not to defend it, which they were unable to do, but to look after the household goods and furniture, that they were not damaged by the conspirators; though one would think they could be of little service, and may wonder what he should leave... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:17

And the king went forth ,.... From Jerusalem; which is repeated, that it might be observed in what a hurry and fright he was: and all the people after him ; his family, court, and servants, and as many of the people of Jerusalem as chose to go with him: and tarried at a place that was afar off ; when they had got at some distance from the city, they stopped and stayed a while; it could not be a great way from it, for they had not as yet passed over the brook Kidron, 2 Samuel 15:23 ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:18

And all his servants passed on beside him ,.... Or at his hand or side; his household servants walking perhaps some on one side of him, and some on the other, see 2 Samuel 16:6 , and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites ; which were his bodyguards, see 2 Samuel 8:18 , and all the Gittites, six hundred men which came after him from Gath ; which either came with him from Gath, when he conquered that city, and took it out of the hands of the Philistines, 2 Samuel 8:1 ;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:19

Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite ,.... Who was over the band of Gittites, the six hundred men, 2 Samuel 15:22 , wherefore goest thou also with us ? one should think the king should not have discouraged any from joining and following him, when his numbers were not very large, and the in such fear on account of Absalom: return to this place ; to Jerusalem, where his station was: and abide with the king ; with Absalom, who set himself up for king, and whom the people... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:20

Whereas thou camest but yesterday ,.... From Gath, or from an expedition he and his men had been on: should I this day make thee, go up and down with us ? wander up and down from place to place with David, when he was but just come off a journey, weary and fatigued: seeing I go whither I may ; where it will be most safe for me, I know not where; may be obliged to flee here and there, which would be very inconvenient to Ittai in his circumstances: return thou, and take back thy... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:21

And Ittai answered the king, and said ,.... With an oath, as follows: as the Lord liveth, and as my lord the king liveth ; which he took to confirm what he after says, and to put an end to the debate between them: surely, in what place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will thy servant be ; signifying that he would attend him wherever he went, hazard his life in his cause, and live and die with him. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:22

And David said unto Ittai, go, and pass over ,.... It being his resolution to abide with him, he urged him no more to depart, but bid him pass over the brook Kidron before him: and Ittai the Gittite passed over, and all his men ; the six hundred Gittites that were under his command: and all the little ones that were with him ; that belonged to him and his men, and no doubt their wives also. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:23

And all the country wept with a loud voice ,.... The people that came out of the country villages round about, upon the report of the king's leaving Jerusalem, because of his son's conspiracy against him; these wept when they saw him in the circumstances in which he was, obliged to fly from a rebellious son: and all the people passed over ; the people that were with David passed over Kidron, and so the Cherethites, and Pelethites: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron ;... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 15:17

And tarried in a place - He probably waited till he saw all his friends safely out of the city. read more

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