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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 17:1-14

Absalom is now in peaceable possession of Jerusalem; the palace-royal is his own, as are the thrones of judgment, even the thrones of the house of David. His good father reigned in Hebron, and only over the tribe of Judah, above seven years, and was not hasty to destroy his rival; his government was built upon a divine promise, the performance of which he was sure of in due time, and therefore he waited patiently in the mean time. But the young man, Absalom, not only hastens from Hebron to... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 17:15-21

We must now leave David's enemies pleasing themselves with the thoughts of a sure victory by following Hushai's counsel, and sending a summons, no doubt, to all the tribes of Israel, to come to the general rendezvous at a place appointed, pursuant to that counsel; and we next find David's friends consulting how to get him notice of all this, that he might steer his course accordingly. Hushai tells the priests what had passed in council, 2 Sam. 17:15. But, it should seem, he was not sure but... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 17:22-29

Here is, I. The transporting of David and his forces over Jordan, pursuant to the advice he had received from his friends at Jerusalem, 2 Sam. 17:22. He, and all that were with him, went over in the night, whether in ferryboats, which probably always plied there, or through the fords, does not appear. But special notice is taken of this, that there lacked not one of them: none deserted him, though his distress was great, none staid behind sick or weary, nor were any lost or cast away in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 17:1

Moreover, Ahithophel said unto Absalom ,.... Either at the same time, or quickly after he had given the foregoing advice: let me now choose out twelve thousand men : out of those that were with Absalom, which shows their number to be large; and twelve thousand are pitched upon with respect to the twelve tribes of Israel, a thousand from every tribe; Josephus has only ten thousand: and I will arise and pursue after David this night ; he took upon him to be general of the army, as well... read more

John Gill

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

And I will come upon him while he is weary ,.... With travelling, and with grief, and when endeavouring to get some rest by sleep, and so surprise him unawares, when not on his guard, and in no posture of defence: and weak handed ; while the number of men with him is small, and before the people from different parts can come to his assistance: and will make him afraid ; strike terror into him and his then, by surprising them suddenly in the night with such a number of men: and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 17:3

And I will bring back all the people unto thee ,.... Meaning not the people only that were with David, that he would make them prisoners, and bring them with him; for he before proposed to let them make their escape; but to reduce all Israel to the obedience of Absalom at once, by executing this scheme which he had formed: the man whom thou seekest is as if all returned ; meaning David, whom he speaks of contemptibly, and whose life it seems Absalom sought, as well as his crown; and he... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 17:4

And the saying pleased Absalom well, and all elders of Israel. That were of the privy council; for it was a well contrived scheme to surprise David his men by night, in the condition they were in; nothing like seizing an opportunity, and making quick dispatch in executing a villainous design; only it is strange that Absalom could so easily come into a scheme to take away the life of so indulgent a father, which is only to be accounted for by his ambition; but it is stranger still that the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 17:5

Then said Absalom, call now Hushai the Archite also ,.... For it seems he was not at the council board at this time; whether he was as yet admitted to it is not certain: there is something very remarkable in the providence of God, to incline Absalom to have the opinion of Hushai upon this point, when the counsel of Ahithophel was so universally approved of; and Hushai also being well known to have been an intimate friend and confident of David's, and not so settled and established in the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 17:6

And when Hushai was come to Absalom ,.... Into the council chamber, very probably: Absalom spake unto him, saying, Ahithophel hath spoken after this manner ; and then related the counsel he had given as before: shall we do after his saying ? is it right to proceed on this scheme, and carry it into execution? if not, speak thou ; thy mind freely, without any reserve, or fear of giving any offence. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 17:7

And Hushai said to Absalom ,.... Having leave to give his opinion freely: the counsel that Ahithophel hath given is not good at this time ; he owns that Ahithophel was a good counsellor, and that the counsel he gave was for the most part, if not always, good, but what he gave at this time was not so; the wisest of men may sometimes be mistaken. Abarbinel thinks he respects his former counsel, particularly that that was good, advising him to defile his father's bed, 2 Samuel 16:21 ;... read more

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