2 Samuel 15:1-6 NIV

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

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:6

And in this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment ,.... Told them there was none to be had, wished that he was in office to administer it to them, and behaved in the above loving manner towards them: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel ; got the affections of the people in a private and clandestine manner, and robbed the king of them, who had the best right unto them. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 15:1

Absalom prepared him chariots and horses - After all that has been said to prove that horses here mean horsemen, I think it most likely that the writer would have us to understand chariots drawn by horses; not by mules or such like cattle. Fifty men to run before him - Affecting in every respect the regal state by this establishment. Of this man Calmet collects the following character: "He was a bold, violent, revengeful, haughty, enterprising, magnificent, eloquent,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 15:6

So Absalom stole the hearts - His manner of doing this is circumstantially related above. He was thoroughly versed in the arts of the demagogue; and the common people, the vile mass, heard him gladly. He used the patriot's arguments, and was every thing of the kind, as far as promise could go. He found fault with men in power; and he only wanted their place, like all other pretended patriots, that he might act as they did, or worse. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:1

EXPOSITION After this. The Hebrew is a more precise phrase than that on which we have commented on 2 Samuel 10:1 and 2 Samuel 13:1 , and implies that Absalom began his devices soon after obtaining his liberty. Chariots and horses; Hebrew, a chariot and horses; that is, a chariot for state occasions, in which Absalom rode, while fifty footmen ran at his side. Probably his grandfather Talmai practised similar magnificence at Geshur. In India it is still common for men of rank... read more

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:1

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

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

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

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:6

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 15:1

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 15:6

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:1

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