2 Samuel 16:15-23

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 16:15-23

Absalom had notice sent him speedily by some of his friends at Jerusalem that David had withdrawn, and with what a small retinue he had gone; so that the coasts were clear, Absalom might take possession of Jerusalem when he pleased. The gates were open, and there was none to oppose him. Accordingly he came without delay (2 Sam. 16:15), extremely elevated, no doubt, with this success at first, and that that in which, when he formed his design, he probably apprehended the greatest difficulty,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 16:15

And Absalom, and all the people, the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem ,.... At the same time that David and his people came to Bahurim; which, as Josephus F26 Antiqu. l. 7. c. 9. sect. 4. says, was a place near to Jerusalem; and, according to Bunting F1 Travels, &c.; p. 144. , was little more than a mile from it; though elsewhere F2 Ib. p. 150. he makes it three miles; so that had not David made the hasty flight he did, he had fallen into the hands of Absalom: and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 16:16

And it came to pass that when Hushai the Archite, David's friend, was come unto Absalom ,.... Who came into Jerusalem at the same time that Absalom did, and who, no doubt, took the first opportunity to make his court to him, 2 Samuel 15:37 , that Hushai said unto Absalom, God save the king, God save the king ; or "may the king live" F3 יחי המלך "vivat rex", Pagninus. Montanus, &c.; , live long, and his kingdom be permanent; these words are very ambiguous, he might mean... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 16:17

And Absalom said to Hushai, is this thy kindness to thy friend ?.... Meaning to David; though he would not mention his name, nor his title, nor even the relation of a father he stood in to him, only speaks of him as Hushai's friend: Hushai had professed great friendship to David, and David had been a friend to Hushai, had raised him to great honour in making him a counsellor, and had bestowed many favours and benefits on him, as Absalom knew full well; and therefore, to try his integrity,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 16:18

And Hushai said to Absalom ,.... In answer to his questions: nay, but whom the Lord, and his people, and all the men of Israel choose : here again he speaks very ambiguously; for this circumlocution, or descriptive character of the king of Israel, better agrees with David, whom he might bear in mind, than with Absalom; for the Lord had chosen David, and he was anointed by his order, and all the people of Israel had chosen and anointed him likewise; but as for Absalom, it was only a part... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 16:19

And again, whom should I serve ?.... Or "secondly" F5 השנית "secunda", Montanus, Munster, Vatablus; "secundo", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator. , a second reason is here given for serving Absalom: the first was the choice of God and the people, the second follows: should I not serve in the presence of his son? as I have served in thy father's presence, so will I be in thy presence : he signifies, that as the kingdom was not translated into another family, but continued in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 16:20

Then said Absalom to Ahithophel ,.... Having two such able counsellors as he and Hushai, he directs his speech to Ahithophel, as being his first and chief counsellor: give counsel among you what we shall do ; he orders them to form a counsel, consult among themselves what was proper to be now done at Jerusalem, whether it was right to stay here or pursue after David and his men. Absalom did not send to the high priest to ask counsel of God, by Urim and Thummim before the ark, but wholly... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 16:21

And Ahithophel said unto Absalom ,.... Either immediately of himself, without consulting with others; or after a consultation had been held between them, he as the president of it, and their mouth, gave the following advice; though the former seems most correct: go in unto thy father's concubines, which he hath left, to keep the house ; and lie with them; there were ten of them, 2 Samuel 15:16 , and all Israel shall hear that thou art abhorred of thy father ; this fact will be so... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 16:22

So they spread Absalom a tent on the top of the house ,.... On the top of his father's palace; this, as houses in Jerusalem and Judea were, was built flat, Deuteronomy 22:8 ; and it was on the very spot from whence David had a sight of Bathsheba, and conceived an impure lust after her. The Targum renders it, a canopy; which Kimchi describes as consisting of four pillars, upon and round about which curtains were hung: and Absalom went in unto his father's concubines in the sight of all... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 16:23

And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he had counselled in those days ,.... Both in the days of David, and in the days of Absalom, before and since the rebellion: was as if a man had inquired of the oracle of God ; such an opinion was entertained of it, so well satisfied were they with it, and as confident of success in taking it, as if the Lord himself had been consulted by Urim and Thummim; this is a very great exaggeration of Ahithophel's counsel, and is observed as a reason why it... read more

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