2 Samuel 15:8-18

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

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:9

And the king said unto him, go in peace ,.... He gave him leave to go, and wished happiness and prosperity might attend him: so he arose and went to Hebron ; with a company of men, whose number is after mentioned. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:10

But Absalom sent spies throughout all the land of Israel ,.... To sound the disposition of the people towards him, to insinuate things into their minds in favour of him, and to improve every opportunity of recommending him to their esteem and affections: saying, as soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet ; in any place; and which it is probable he employed men to sound in many places: then ye shall say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron : which is the cause of the trumpet's sounding; and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:11

And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were called ,.... Invited by him to go with him and partake of his peace offerings, as the payment of his vow in Hebron; part of which was made a feast of for his friends, whomsoever he should think fit to invite, as he did to the number of two hundred, and for the entertainment of whom a large provision ought to be made; the Jews F8 Bemidbar Rabba, sect. 9. fol. 194. 4. have a tradition, that he had leave of his father... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:12

And Absalom sent for Ahithophel, the Gilonite, David's counsellor ,.... To advise with about this treasonable affair he was engaged in, and to get out of him David's secrets, who was reckoned the best counsellor in the land; and he might rather hope he would come to him, if he was the grandfather of Bathsheba, as say the Jews, 2 Samuel 11:3 ; since he might be disgusted with and resent David's adultery with Bathsheba his granddaughter, and the murder of her husband Uriah: him he sent for: ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:13

And there came a messenger to David ,.... Perhaps one of the two hundred that went with Absalom, ignorant of his design; which, when discovered, he disapproved of, and got away from him, and came to David, and informed him how things were: saying, the hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom ; to make him king. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:14

And David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem ,.... His courtiers and ministers of state, the officers of his household, as many of them as were with him in the city; for some of them very probably were in the country, as Ahithophel was, and some might be along with Absalom, whom he had invited to his peace offerings: arise, and let us flee ; it is much that a man of such courage and valour as David should be so intimidated at once as to make a flight as soon as... read more

John Gill

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

And the king's servants said unto the king ,.... In answer to him, and to show that they were quite conformable to his pleasure: behold, thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shalt appoint ; or "choose" F11 יבחר "elegerit", Pagninus, Montanus, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator. , whether to prepare to fight, and defend him and the city, or to depart and make their escape. read more

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