2 Samuel 15:18 NIV

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 15:1-37

The Rebellion of AbsalomHis party is so strong that David is obliged to flee from Jerusalem. He is joined by Ittai the Gittite, and by Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and by Hushai the Archite. The king, however, orders Zadok, Abiathar, and Hushai to return to Jerusalem.1. Fifty men to run before him] Such runners have always formed part of royal state in the East: cp. 1 Kings 1:5; 1 Kings 18:46. 2. Rose] rather, ’used to rise,’ and stand by the gate so as to meet all who went in or out.7.... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 2 Samuel 15:18

(18) Cherethites . . . Pelethites.—See Note on 2 Samuel 8:18.Gittites.—This word in its form would naturally mean men of Gath, and it has therefore been understood by some commentators of a body of Philistines in David’s service. But the term is distinctly explained here as meaning the “six hundred men which came after him from Gath,” and called “Gittites” for that reason, a body of men with whom the previous history of David has made us very familiar. They had gathered to him during his... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - 2 Samuel 15:1-37

5. Absalom’s Conspiracy and David’s Flight CHAPTER 15 1. Absalom steals the hearts of the men of Israel (2 Samuel 15:1-6 ) 2. His conspiracy (2 Samuel 15:7-12 ) 3. The flight of the king (2 Samuel 15:13-37 ) The beautiful prince gradually prepared for the great conspiracy of which we read now and which made of his own father the Lord’s anointed, an exile. Chariots and horses with fifty men to run before him won no doubt the admiration of the people. His evident interest in their... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - 2 Samuel 15:18

15:18 And all his servants passed on beside him; and all the {k} Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men which came after him from Gath, passed on before the king.(k) These were as the king’s guard, or as some write, his counsellors. read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 15:1-37

Absalom knew how to take full advantage of his outward acceptance by his father Now there was no difficulty in beginning to exalt himself in the eyes of Israel. His chariots and horses and fifty men to run before him (v.1) were all intended as a show of his importance. If David was troubled by this, we read nothing of it. More than this, Absalom was adept in influencing the people personally. Others ought to have seen through his activities, and to have warned David, but he got away with his... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:1-37

O, ABSALOM , MY SON , MY SON ! LUST, MURDER AND DECEIT (2 Samuel 13:0 ) In the preceding lesson judgments were foretold as coming on David, and we are entering on that part of his career when the prediction is fulfilled in earnest. The foulness of this chapter we would not dwell upon more than we can help. Tamar of course, while sister to Absalom, was half-sister to Amnon, the two young men being sons of David by different wives. “A garment of divers colours” (2 Samuel 13:18 ) might be... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - 2 Samuel 15:1-37

Absalom 2 Samuel 14-16 THESE chapters are full of men who reveal human nature in its best and its worst aspects. What plots and counterplots are here! What hypocrisy, and what unfeigned sorrow! The whole world is in these few chapters in miniature. What action, what colour, what passion, what cunning! But where the crowd is so great, discrimination is the more necessary. Let us, then, discriminate between those who serve God and those who serve him not. In chapter 14 we have a picture of... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:15-18

(15) And the king's servants said unto the king, Behold, thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint. (16) And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, which were concubines, to keep the house. (17) And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off. (18) And all his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:18

Phelethi, the king's foreign guards, of Philistine extraction, chap. viii. 18. --- Gethites, who had been probably induced to enter his service by Ethai, ver. 19. (Calmet) --- Men. This number David kept up, in honour of those valiant companions who had defended him at Odollam, &c. (Salien) --- It is observable, that David is attended only by his own family, and by strangers; representing Jesus Christ, who rejects the Synagogue and its sacrifices, while he makes choice of the Gentiles.... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 15:13-23

13-23 David determined to quit Jerusalem. He took this resolve, as a penitent submitting to the rod. Before unrighteous Absalom he could justify himself, and stand out; but before the righteous God he must condemn himself, and yield to his judgments. Thus he accepts the punishment of his sin. And good men, when they themselves suffer, are anxious that others should not be led to suffer with them. He compelled none; those whose hearts were with Absalom, to Absalom let them go, and so shall their... read more