2 Samuel 15:24-37

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 15:24

And, lo, Zadok also ,.... The priest, as he is called, 2 Samuel 15:27 , and all the Levites were with him : with Zadok, or with David, and indeed with both; but the former is rather meant here, being the immediate antecedent: bearing the ark of the covenant of God : these were the Kohathite Levites, whose business it was to bear the ark when carried from place to place, Numbers 3:31 ; called the ark of the covenant, because the law which was the covenant between God and the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:25

And the king said unto Zadok, carry back the ark of God into the city ,.... The reason of which is not easy to account for, since being carried back it would fall into the hands of the conspirators; and now the priests were with it to take care of it, and there might be occasion to inquire at it before the Lord; but David thought it being a sacred thing would not be violated by Absalom and his men, and that it would be safest in its own habitation or tabernacle, which David had built for it;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:26

But if he thus say, I have no delight in thee ,.... As a king, or in his temporal prosperity, though he might and had delight in him as a chosen vessel of salvation, as a saint and child of God, and in his spiritual and everlasting welfare: behold, here am I ; his humble servant, ready to be, and do and suffer whatever is his pleasure: let him do to me as seemeth good unto him ; strip me of all the ensigns of royalty, dispossess me of my crown and kingdom, and dispose of me as... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:27

And the king said unto Zadok the priest, art not thou a seer ?.... A prophet, as well as a priest; see 1 Samuel 9:9 ; or a seeing, knowing, man; one that can penetrate into men and things, and so might be of more service to David at Jerusalem than with him: wherefore he said to him: return into the city in peace ; to the city of Jerusalem with peace, quietness, and satisfaction of mind; where he doubted not, at least hoped and wished, he would be in safety and prosperity, being one... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:28

See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness ,.... Towards the way of which David and the people went when they came over Kidron, 2 Samuel 15:23 , until there come word from you to certify me ; of the truth of the conspiracy, of the number of the conspirators, and who they are, what progress they have made, whether come to Jerusalem, and how they behave there, if come; or of anything relative hereunto he could get intelligence of. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:29

Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem ,.... That is, ordered it to be carried, and took care that it was carried, by the Kohathite Levites, and they themselves attended it: and they tarried there ; at Jerusalem; though their two sons that went with them entered not into the city, but stayed at a place called Enrogel, at some little distance from it, 2 Samuel 17:17 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:30

And David went up by the ascent of Mount Olivet ,.... So called from the olive trees that grew upon it, which is often mentioned in the New Testament, and where our Lord Jesus Christ, the antitype of David, often was, in his state of humiliation, Matthew 26:30 , and from whence he ascended to heaven after his resurrection, Acts 1:12 ; it was about a mile from Jerusalem, to the east of it: and wept as he went up ; thinking perhaps of the wickedness and rebellion of his son, of his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:31

And one told David ,.... That came either from Hebron or from Jerusalem: Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom ; Absalom sent for him, and it seems he came to him, and continued with him, see 2 Samuel 15:12 , and David said, O Lord, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness ; either suffer him to give foolish counsel, or confound the schemes projected by him, and let them not be carried into execution; for God can, and sometimes does, disappoint... read more

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