2 Samuel 16:21-22

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Absalom had notice sent him speedily by some of his friends at Jerusalem that David had withdrawn, and with what a small retinue he had gone; so that the coasts were clear, Absalom might take possession of Jerusalem when he pleased.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 16:21

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 16:21

Go in unto thy father ' s concubines - It may be remembered that David left ten of them behind to take care of the house, see 2 Samuel 15:16 . Ahithophel advised this infernal measure, in order to prevent the possibility of a reconciliation between David and his son; thus was the prophecy to Nathan fulfilled, 2 Samuel 12:11 . And this was probably transacted in the very same place where David's eye took the adulterous view of Bath-sheba; see 2 Samuel 11:2 . The wives of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 16:15-23

Illustrations of facts and principles. The facts are: 1 . Absalom enters Jerusalem with his adherents and Ahithophel. 2 . Hushai presents himself before Absalom, with a salutation in ambiguous language. 3 . On Absalom expressing surprise that he had not gone with David, he, with studied caution, expresses his readiness to serve whom the Lord and all the men of Israel might choose, and further declares his intention to "serve" in the son's presence as he had in the father's. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 16:21

Ahithophel said. Ahithophel's counsel was utterly abominable, even though the deed would not be regarded by any of the Israelites as incestuous. A king inherited his predecessor's harem, and Absalom's act was a coarse and rude assertion that David's rights were at an end, and that crown and hinds and property, even to his wives, now all belonged to the usurper. But, while polygamy had thus degraded the wives and concubines into mere chattels, the harem was the property most jealously guarded... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 16:22

A tent; Hebrew, the tent; that constantly used by David and his family for the enjoyment of the cool evening breeze, and which the citizens of Jerusalem had frequently seen erected on the flat roof of David's house. It was when walking on this roof that David had given way to guilty passion, and now it is the scene of his dishonour. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 16:21

Taking possession of the harem was the most decided act of sovereignty (see 1 Kings 2:22). It was also the greatest offence and insult that could be offered. Such an act on Absalom’s part made reconciliation impossible. A further motive has been found in this advice, namely, the desire on the part of Ahithophel to make David taste the bitterness of that cup which he had caused others (Uriah and all Bath-sheba’s family) to drink, and receive the measure which he had meted withal. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 16:21

2 Samuel 16:21. Go in unto thy father’s concubines This counsel he gave, partly to revenge the injury done to Bath-sheba, the daughter of Eliam, chap. 2 Samuel 11:3; the son of Ahithophel, 2 Samuel 23:34; and principally for his own and the people’s safety, that the breach between David and Absalom might be irreparable. For this, he foresaw, would provoke David in the highest degree, and cut off all hope of reconciliation, which otherwise might have been expected to take place, by some... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 16:22

2 Samuel 16:22. So they spread a tent upon the top of the house Of the king’s palace, the very place from whence David had gazed upon Bath-sheba: so that his sin was legible in the very place of his punishment. And Absalom went in unto his father’s concubines To one or some of them. In the sight of all Israel Who saw him go into the tent, and thence concluded that he had converse with them as he had designed. “An action of such profligate impiety, and abandoned impudence, as it were to... read more

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