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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:24-30

Here we have, I. The fidelity of the priests and Levites and their firm adherence to David and his interest. They knew David's great affection to them and their office, notwithstanding his failings. The method Absalom took to gain people's affections made no impression upon them; he had little religion in him, and therefore they steadily adhered to David. Zadok and Abiathar, and all the Levites, if he go, will accompany him, and take the ark with them, that, by it, they may ask counsel of God... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:27

And the king said unto Zadok the priest, art not thou a seer ?.... A prophet, as well as a priest; see 1 Samuel 9:9 ; or a seeing, knowing, man; one that can penetrate into men and things, and so might be of more service to David at Jerusalem than with him: wherefore he said to him: return into the city in peace ; to the city of Jerusalem with peace, quietness, and satisfaction of mind; where he doubted not, at least hoped and wished, he would be in safety and prosperity, being one... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 15:27

Art not thou a seer ? return into the city in peace - That is, As thou art the only organ of the public worship, that worship cannot be carried on without thee; and as thou art the priest of God, thou hast no cause to fear for thy personal safety: the nation has not abandoned their God, though they have abandoned their king. It appears also, that he wished these priests, by means of their sons, Ahimaaz the son of Zadok, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar, to send him... 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 15:23-29

( ACROSS THE KIDRON .) The ark restored to its place. "Carry back the ark of God to the city" ( 2 Samuel 15:25 ). Having crossed the Kidron ravine amidst the loud wailing of the people, and halted for a moment in the ascent of Olivet, David was met by Zadok (of the elder branch of the Aaronic family), with the Levites, carrying the ark ( 2 Samuel 6:1-23 .), and by Abiathar (a descendant of Eli, of the younger branch). The former had come to him at Hebron (about thirty years... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:27

Art thou (not) a seer? Both the Authorized Version and the Revised Version evade the difficulty of this passage by inserting the word "not." It is one of the merits of the Revised Version that usually it does not take these liberties. But "Art thou a seer?" is meaningless; and the attempts, moreover, to show that Zadok was a seer fail entirely in proof. The receiving revelations by Urim and Thummim was a priestly, and not a prophetic, function. Without altering the text, the words may be... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 15:27

Art not those a seer? - If the text be correct, the sense would be, “Art thou not a seer? therefore go back to the city, and observe, and certify me of what thou seest” 2 Samuel 15:28. Others, by a slight alteration of the original text, read “Art not thou a chief” (priest), etc. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 15:27

2 Samuel 15:27. Art thou not a seer? Return into the city in peace “It should seem from hence,” says Delaney, “that Zadok was a prophet: however, as a priest, he was a teacher; and as such, bound to stay with his people in the greatest exigencies, and instruct them in their duty: besides that, by staying to do his duty to his people, he might also do good offices to his prince.” Indeed, the word ראה , roeh, here rendered seer, means also a seeing, discerning and observing man: an... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:1-37

Absalom’s rebellion (15:1-37)By cunning and deceit over the next few years, Absalom strengthened his position and gathered himself a following, mainly among the people of Judah’s country regions. He encouraged a feeling of dissatisfaction with David’s administration and promised a better deal for the common people if he were in a position of authority (15:1-6).Clearly, Absalom was plotting to seize the throne. It appears that he relied for the success of his rebellion upon the personal support... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 2 Samuel 15:25-27

2 Samuel 15:25-27. The king said,—Carry back the ark of God— David sent back the high-priests, as knowing that their character was too sacred to suffer any violence from the usurper, though he knew their fidelity to himself; and for the rest, he wholly submitted himself to the divine disposal. He besought God, as Alexander Severus told his soldiers a generous and a wise man should, praying for the best things, and bearing what should befal. David saw plainly that God had raised this war against... read more

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