2 Samuel 15:32-37

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:31-37

Nothing, it seems, appeared to David more threatening in Absalom's plot than that Ahithophel was in it; for one good head, in such a design, is worth a thousand good hands. Absalom was himself no politician, but he had got one entirely in his interest that was, and would be the more dangerous because he had been all along acquainted with David's counsels and affairs; if therefore he can be baffled, Absalom is as good as routed and the head of the conspiracy cut off. This David endeavours to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:32

And it came to pass, that when David was come to the top of the mount ,.... Of the mount of Olives: where he worshipped God ; by prayer and praise; here very probably he composed and sung the third psalm Psalm 3:1 , which, as the title shows, was made when he fled from Absalom: behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him, with his coat rent, and earth upon his head ; in token of mourning, and as a bringer of bad tidings, see 2 Samuel 1:2 ; perhaps he was an inhabitant of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:33

Unto whom David said ,.... After he had heard what he had to say, and what tidings he brought: and if thou passest on with me ; in his march and flight: then thou shalt be a burden to me ; being to be maintained by him; and David having but scanty provisions, and so could not receive useless persons, as Hushai might be, perhaps an old man, that could be of no service to him, and unfit for travelling, and so would rather be an hinderance than an help unto him. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:34

But if thou return to the city ,.... To the city of Jerusalem, from whence it seems he came: and say unto Absalom, I will be thy servant, O king ; as he was by usurpation, and by the proclamation of the people with him. David directs him to address him thus, that he might have no suspicion of him, having been an old friend of his: as I have been thy father's servant hitherto ; perhaps in the character of a counsellor, as it should seem, since as such he was afterwards employed by... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:35

And hast thou not there with thee Zadok and Abiathar the priests ?.... To assist in forming schemes directly opposite to Ahithophel's, or to whom he could communicate the secrets of Absalom's court: therefore it shall be that what thing soever thou shalt hear out of the king's house ; Absalom's, who had now, at possession of the house and palace of David: thou shalt tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests ; to whom he might have recourse without suspicion, pretending he had... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:36

Behold, they have there with them two sons, Ahimaaz, Zadok's son , and Jonathan, Abiathar's son ,.... As in 2 Samuel 15:27 ; not that they were in the city with them, but they were near it, 2 Samuel 17:17 ; with whom they had a communication: and by whom ye shall send unto me everything that ye can hear ; that is, by the sons of the priests; he telling the priests how things were at court, and they sending their sons with messages to David; which was a good scheme to get... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:37

So Hushai David's friend came into the city ,.... The city of Jerusalem, by the direction and persuasion of David, and in obedience to him, in order to serve him to the uttermost: and Absalom came into Jerusalem : just at the same time; so that he knew not that Hushai had been out of it, and been with David, and which also appears from what he said to him, 2 Samuel 16:17 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 15:32

Where he worshipped God - Though in danger of his life, he stops on the top of Mount Olivet for prayer! How true is the adage, Prayer and provender never hinder any man's journey! Reader, dost thou do likewise? Hushai the Archite - He was the particular friend of David, and was now greatly affected by his calamity. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 15:33

Then thou shalt be a burden unto me - It appears that Hushai was not a warrior, but was a wise, prudent, and discreet man, who could well serve David by gaining him intelligence of Absalom's conspiracy; and he directs him to form a strict confederacy with the priests Zadok and Abiathar, and to make use of their sons as couriers between Jerusalem and David's place of retreat. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 15:37

Absalom came into Jerusalem - It is very probable that he and his partisans were not far from the city when David left it, and this was one reason which caused him to hurry his departure. Reader, behold in the case of David a sad vicissitude of human affairs, and a fearful proof of their instability. Behold a king, the greatest that ever lived, a profound politician, an able general, a brave soldier, a poet of the most sublime genius and character, a prophet of the Most High God, and... read more

Group of Brands