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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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:8

For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria ,.... When at his grandfather's court there: saying, if the Lord will bring me again indeed to Jerusalem ; which he might be sincerely desirous of: then I will serve the Lord ; but it is a question whether he ever made a vow to this purpose, or concerned himself about serving the Lord; but it rather may be, this was a lie of his, now framed in order to get leave of the king to go to Hebron. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 15:8

While I abode at Geshur in Syria - Geshur, the country of Talmai, was certainly not in Syria, but lay on the south of Canaan, in or near Edom, as is evident from Judges 1:10 ; 1 Samuel 27:8 ; 2 Samuel 13:37 . Hence it is probable that ארם Aram, Syria, is a mistake for אדם Edom; ד daleth and ר resh being easily interchangeable. Edom is the reading both of the Syriac and Arabic. I will serve the Lord - Here he pretended to be a strict follower of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:1-12

The shady side of human nature. The facts are: 1 . Absalom sets up a large domestic establishment with a semblance of royalty. 2 . Rising early in the morning of each day, he is first to meet the suitors for judgment at the gate of the city, and seizes the occasion for insinuating that there is defect in the king's provision for the administration of justice. 3 . He also professes to manifest sympathy with suitors by expressing the wish that he were in a position to do them... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:1-12

( JERUSALEM , HEBRON .) The rebellion of Absalom. About twelve years had elapsed since David's fall into sin. One of its effects was the rebellion of Absalom. The history of this event—most critical for the theocratic monarchy, and "revealing the thoughts of many hearts"—sheds a clear light upon the condition of Israel. "We seem to know all the people; the natural manners and vivid outbursts of feeling make the scene stand out with a kind of homely poetry." In it we discern the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:7-9

Absalom's pious vow. David and his ministers must have been singularly blind and negligent to have allowed Absalom so far to have prepared the way for the revolution he contemplated as he must have done before asking permission to go to Hebron. Nor does the permission itself show less blindness. David should have known his son better than to have so readily believed that he was likely to have made a pious vow, and to be burdened in conscience by its long non-fulfilment, especially as he... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 15:8-9

2 Samuel 15:8-9. If the Lord shall bring me again to Jerusalem, &c. This vow, we see, of Absalom is conceived exactly in the style of the patriarchal piety; and plainly implies, that however he was tempted by his grandfather to serve the gods of Geshur, yet he continued steady to the true religion, and determined against idolatry. This, we may be sure, David was highly delighted to hear, and therefore gave a ready consent to the performance of his vow, saying, Go in peace. So he arose... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:1-37

Absalom’s rebellion (15:1-37)By cunning and deceit over the next few years, Absalom strengthened his position and gathered himself a following, mainly among the people of Judah’s country regions. He encouraged a feeling of dissatisfaction with David’s administration and promised a better deal for the common people if he were in a position of authority (15:1-6).Clearly, Absalom was plotting to seize the throne. It appears that he relied for the success of his rebellion upon the personal support... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 2 Samuel 15:8

vowed a vow = made a solemn vow. Figure of speech Polyptoton. App-6 . read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 2 Samuel 15:8

2 Samuel 15:8. Thy servant vowed a vow— This vow is conceived exactly in the patriarchal style, and, if true, shews, that however he might have been tempted by his grandfather to serve the gods of Geshur, yet he continued determined against idolatry; which David, we may assure ourselves, was highly delighted to hear, and accordingly gave a ready consent to the performance of his vow. read more

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