2 Samuel 15:1-37

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:1-6

Absalom is no sooner restored to his place at court than he aims to be in the throne. He that was unhumbled under his troubles became insufferably proud when they were over; and he cannot be content with the honour of being the king's son, and the prospect of being his successor, but he must be king now. His mother was a king's daughter; on that perhaps he valued himself, and despised his father, who was but the son of Jesse. She was the daughter of a heathen king, which made him the less... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:7-12

We have here the breaking out of Absalom's rebellion, which he had long been contriving. It is said to be after forty years, 2 Sam. 15:7. But whence it is to be dated we are not told; not from David's beginning his reign, for then it would fall in the last year of his life, which is not probable; but either from his first anointing by Samuel seven years before, or rather (I think) from the people's desiring a king, and the first change of the government into a monarchy, which might be about... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:13-23

Here is, I. The notice brought to David of Absalom's rebellion, 2 Sam. 15:13. The matter was bad enough, and yet it seems to have been made worse to him (as such things commonly are) than really it was; for he was told that the hearts of the men of Israel (that is, the generality of them, at least the leading men) were after Absalom. But David was the more apt to believe it because now he could call to mind the arts that Absalom had used to inveigle them, and perhaps reflected upon it with... read more

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

Matthew Henry

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 15:1

And it came to pass after this ,.... After the reconciliation of David and Absalom, and the latter was admitted to court again: that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses ; to make himself look grand and respectable among the people; perhaps he got these from his grandfather at Geshur in Syria: and fifty men to run before him ; which added to his pomp and magnificence; and such great personages in later time have had; Nero the Roman emperor never went on a journey with less than a... read more

John Gill

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

And Absalom rose up early ,.... Every morning, to show how diligent and industrious he should be, and closely apply himself to business, was he in any office trader the king, and especially when he should be king himself; this he did to ingratiate himself into the affections of the people: and stood beside the way of the gate ; either of the king's palace, so Josephus F4 Antiqu. l. 7. c. 9. sect. 1. , or of the city, where courts of judicature are held: the former seems most... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:3

And Absalom said unto him ,.... After some further talk, and finding he had a suit at law to bring on, and either seeing it drawn up in writing, or hearing his account of it, at once declared, without hearing the other party: see, thy matters are good and right ; thy cause is a good cause, and if it could be heard by proper persons there is no doubt but things would go on thy side, and thou wouldest carry thy cause: but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee ; the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:4

Absalom said, moreover ,.... To the same persons, at the same time: oh that I were made judge in the land ; by which it appears that he had no office under the king; partly either because of his crime, and so not thought fit, and partly because he appeared to be an ambitious aspiring man, and so it was thought not safe to put him into any office: that every man that hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice ; at once, without any further trouble, or coming... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:5

And it was so , that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance ,.... To pay his respects, and bow to him, as being the king's son, a prince of the blood, and heir to the crown, as was supposed: he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him ; he put out his hand and shook hands with him, or took him about the neck and kissed him, and by this free, familiar, affable, and courteous manner, strangely won upon and gained the affections of the people, as follows. Fortunatus... read more

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