2 Samuel 17:5-14

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 17:1-14

Absalom is now in peaceable possession of Jerusalem; the palace-royal is his own, as are the thrones of judgment, even the thrones of the house of David. His good father reigned in Hebron, and only over the tribe of Judah, above seven years, and was not hasty to destroy his rival; his government was built upon a divine promise, the performance of which he was sure of in due time, and therefore he waited patiently in the mean time. But the young man, Absalom, not only hastens from Hebron to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 17:5

Then said Absalom, call now Hushai the Archite also ,.... For it seems he was not at the council board at this time; whether he was as yet admitted to it is not certain: there is something very remarkable in the providence of God, to incline Absalom to have the opinion of Hushai upon this point, when the counsel of Ahithophel was so universally approved of; and Hushai also being well known to have been an intimate friend and confident of David's, and not so settled and established in the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 17:6

And when Hushai was come to Absalom ,.... Into the council chamber, very probably: Absalom spake unto him, saying, Ahithophel hath spoken after this manner ; and then related the counsel he had given as before: shall we do after his saying ? is it right to proceed on this scheme, and carry it into execution? if not, speak thou ; thy mind freely, without any reserve, or fear of giving any offence. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 17:7

And Hushai said to Absalom ,.... Having leave to give his opinion freely: the counsel that Ahithophel hath given is not good at this time ; he owns that Ahithophel was a good counsellor, and that the counsel he gave was for the most part, if not always, good, but what he gave at this time was not so; the wisest of men may sometimes be mistaken. Abarbinel thinks he respects his former counsel, particularly that that was good, advising him to defile his father's bed, 2 Samuel 16:21 ;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 17:8

For (said Hushai) thou knowest thy father and his men, that they be mighty men ,.... Men of courage and valour, and not such weak-handed and weak-hearted men, and so easily intimidated, as Ahithophel suggests: and they be chafed in their minds ; or "bitter in soul" F6 מרי נפש "amari animo", Pagninus, Montanus; "amaro animo", V. L. Tigurine version, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator. ; not merely filled with trouble and anguish, and depressed in their spirits, on account of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 17:9

Behold, he is hid now in some pit, or in some other place ,.... Some lurking place, as he was acquainted with many when he fled from Saul, and where he preserved himself from him; so that he could never take him, as he would now from Absalom, as he insinuates: but this is not all; not only by this means he would shelter himself, and be in safety; but lying thus concealed with others, and in ambush, there would be danger of his staring out of his hiding place when opportunity should offer,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 17:10

And he also that is valiant, whose heart is as the heart of a lion, shall utterly melt ,.... That is, whoever should hear of Absalom's forces, or a part of them, being routed, would be intimidated, though ever so courageous, or of such a lion-like temper and disposition; and even Ahithophel himself, notwithstanding all his boasted courage, his heart would fail, he would melt like water F8 ηυτε λειβεαι υδωρ , Moschi Idyll 2. ver. 45. , Joshua 7:5 ; should he meet with such a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 17:11

Therefore I counsel ,.... My advice is as follows: that all Israel be generally gathered unto thee, from Dan even to Beersheba, as the sand that is by the sea for multitude : not all the inhabitants of the land, but such as are fit to bear arms, or that were soldiers, employed in military affairs, in keeping garrisons, guarding the coasts, &c.; even the militia of the nation, from the extreme boundary of it on the north to the extreme boundary of it on the south; in such a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 17:12

So shall we come upon him in some place where he shall be found ,.... For such a numerous army, which would be spread abroad, could not well fail of finding him out, let him be in what lurking place he would; whereas he might lie concealed, and escape so small a number as twelve thousand men: and we will light upon him as the dew falleth upon the ground ; whose drops are innumerable, and cover all the ground where they fall; and the phrase not only expresses their numbers, but the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 17:13

Moreover, if he be gotten into a city ,.... A strong fortified place, thinking to secure himself there, where he might hold out against those that were risen against him; the former part of the account supposes him in the field, where he would soon be detected, if hidden in a pit or any other place, or if he appeared openly would quickly be overthrown by the numerous forces of Absalom; and here it suggests, should he betake himself to a city for shelter: then shall all Israel bring ropes... read more

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