2 Samuel 17:24-27

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 17:22-29

Here is, I. The transporting of David and his forces over Jordan, pursuant to the advice he had received from his friends at Jerusalem, 2 Sam. 17:22. He, and all that were with him, went over in the night, whether in ferryboats, which probably always plied there, or through the fords, does not appear. But special notice is taken of this, that there lacked not one of them: none deserted him, though his distress was great, none staid behind sick or weary, nor were any lost or cast away in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 17:24

Then David came to Mahanaim ,.... A city on the other side Jordan in the tribe of Gad, Joshua 13:26 , famous for its being the place where the angels of God met Jacob, Genesis 32:1 ; and was for some time the seat of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, 2 Samuel 2:8 ; and Absalom passed over Jordan, he, and all the men of Israel with him ; not directly after David, but some time after, when, according to the counsel of Hushai, he had gathered all the warlike men of Israel to him that he... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 17:25

And Absalom made Amasa captain of the host instead of Joab ,.... Who was along with David: which Amasa was a man's son whose name was Ithra, an Israelite ; he is called Jether the Ishmaelite, 1 Chronicles 2:17 ; either because he was an Ishmaelite by birth, and being proselyted to the Jewish religion, was called an Israelite; or rather he was an Israelite by birth, and having sojourned in the land of Ishmael some time, was called an Ishmaelite, as Uriah the Hittite, and others; and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 17:26

So Israel and Absalom pitched in the land of Gilead. Which belonged to the tribes of Reuben and Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh; here the Israelites that were with Absalom encamped, in order to give battle to David and his men. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 17:27

And it came to pass, when David was come to Mahanaim ,.... When he first came thither, 2 Samuel 17:24 , that Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon : who was either the son, or rather the brother of Hanun king of the Ammonites, that used David's ambassadors in so shameful a manner, whom David overcame and deposed, and set up this brother in his room; who had showed his dislike of his brother's conduct, and now makes a grateful return to David for his favours; though... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 17:25

Amasa captain of the host - From the account in this verse, it appears that Joab and Amasa were sisters' children, and both nephews to David. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 17:15-29

The facts are: 1 . Hushai, having informed Zadok and Abiathar of his counsel, urges them to send quickly to David, advising him to flee at once beyond the river. 2 . Their two sons, staying out of the city in order to be of service as occasion required, are informed by a girl of the duty required, and at once go on their errand. 3 . In spite of being recognized by an enemy who told Absalom, they go on their way, and take refuge in a well at Bahurim, where they are secreted by the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 17:24

Then (Hebrew, and ) David came to Mahanaim. (On Mahanaim, see note on 2 Samuel 2:8 .) It was now a fortified city, with walls and gates ( 2 Samuel 18:24 ), and its strength of position, which had made it a safe capital for Ishbosheth, who had probably added to its defences, made it also a safe retreat for David while gathering his forces. As it was only about fifty miles distant from the fords of the Jordan, David had not retreated far; and, meanwhile, Absalom was wasting... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 17:24-29

( MAHANAIM .) Hospitality. Shobi ( 2 Samuel 10:1-4 ; 2 Samuel 12:26-31 ); Machir ( 2 Samuel 9:4 ); Barzillai ( 2 Samuel 19:31-40 ). On hearing of the arrival of David at Mahanaim, these three men came with one accord, brining presents, and "provided the king of sustenance while he lay" there ( 2 Samuel 19:32 ). "We are inclined to regard them as representative men: Shobi, of the extreme border inhabitants, or rather foreign tributaries; Machir, of the former adherents of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 17:25

Ithra an Israelite. In 1 Chronicles 2:17 he is called "Jether the Ishmeelite." The first name is the same, Ithra being the emphatic form of Jether; and as it is difficult to find a reason for mentioning so ordinary a fact as that his father was an Israelite, we may conclude that "Ishmeelite" is the correct reading. Bishop Wordsworth, however, suggests that "Israelite" was in contrast to "Judahite;" but this distinction did not come into use until after the disruption of the kingdom. The... read more

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