And the king said unto him , turn aside, and stand here ,.... On the side of him, not far from him, until the other messenger came, that he might learn from them both the true state of the case: and he turned aside, and stood still ; saying nothing more to the king, nor he to him. read more
Stand here - He intended to confront two messengers, and compare their accounts. read more
The facts are: 1 . Ahimaaz being eager to convey tidings of victory to the king, is denied permission by Joab, who, however, sends Cushi. 2 . Persisting in his desire to run after Cushi, Joab at last allows him to go. 3 . The watchman at the gate of the city reports to the king that a runner is in sight, followed by another, whereupon David takes courage, and hopes for good news. 4 . On Ahimaaz being the first to arrive, he briefly announces that all is well, and then... read more
War between Absalom and David (17:1-19:8)Ahithophel advised Absalom that he needed to do only one thing to make his throne secure, and that was kill David. If he did this swiftly, without war or unnecessary bloodshed, the people would soon be fully behind him (17:1-4). Hushai, wishing to gain time for David to escape and organize his troops, advised against such a risky operation, for David was a very experienced soldier. He recommended that the whole Israelite army be assembled and Absalom... read more
The Defeat and Death of Absalom1. Numbered] rather, ’mustered.’3. Succour us out of the city] David, holding Mahanaim with a sufficient force, would be of the greatest assistance to the fugitives, if his army were defeated. 5. The people heard] This statement explains 2 Samuel 18:12.6. The wood of Ephraim] LXX reads ’Mahanaim’ here. 8. The battle was there scattered] So Joab was able to destroy Absalom’s forces in detail. The wood devoured, etc.] The thickness of the wood, its swamps,... read more
The Might-have-been 2 Samuel 18:33 I. Besides the Absalom who was, there is the Absalom who might have been: this is the dead son whom David is lamenting, this is the son he knew, the son he cannot forget, whose image is not blotted out by the shamed figure of the murderer, rebel, traitor, which is the only Absalom visible to all the rest. II. King David has been for Jew and for Christian a type of the Christ. For this once we will make him a type of something else: he shall be an image not... read more
CHAPTER XXIV.DAVID’S GRIEF FOR ABSALOM.2 Samuel 18:19-33; 2 Samuel 19:1-4.’’NEXT to the calamity of losing a battle," a great general used to say, "is that of gaining a victory." The battle in the wood of Ephraim left twenty thousand of King David’s subjects dead or dying on the field. It is remarkable how little is made of this dismal fact. Men’s lives count for little in time of war, and death, even with its worst horrors, is just the common fate of warriors. Yet surely David and his friends... read more
8. The Civil War and Absalom’s Death CHAPTER 18 1. The battle in the forest of Ephraim (2 Samuel 18:1-8 ) 2. The death of Absalom (2 Samuel 18:9-18 ) 3. The tidings of his death and David’s grief (2 Samuel 18:19-33 ) And now everything is ready for the battle and the victory. The army of David consisted of three divisions, Joab, Abishai and the faithful Ittai had the command. David was ready to go forth with his warriors, but the people refused to let him go. What a testimony they gave... read more
David had taken full advantage of the delay that Hushai had counselled to Absalom, with large numbers of the people being gathered to David. Now the time comes for war with Absalom, who has considered himself strong with support of many of Israel also. David divides his men into three bands, well organized and ready for battle. Joab is in charge of one band, Abishai his brother in charge of a second, and Ittai over the third. David's purpose to go out to battle also was however strongly... read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 18:19-33
Absalom's business is done; and we are now told, I. How David was informed of it. He staid behind at the city of Mahanaim, some miles from the wood where the battle was, and in the utmost border of the land. Absalom's scattered forces all made homeward toward Jordan, which was the contrary way from Mahanaim, so that his watchmen could not perceive how the battle went, till an express came on purpose to bring advice of the issue, which the king sat in the gate expecting to hear, 2 Sam. 18:24.... read more