1Absalom by fair speeches and courtesies stealeth the hearts of the men of Israel. 7Under pretence of a vow he obtaineth leave to go to Hebron: 10where he formeth a dangerous conspiracy. 13Upon the news David fleeth from Jerusalem: 19Ittai, though a stranger, will not leave him. 24Zadok and Abiathar are sent back with the ark. 30David and his company go up mount Olivet weeping. 31He prayeth God to defeat Ahithophel's counsel. 32Hushai is sent back with instructions how to act for David's service.
1AND it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to 1run before him.
1 Understand guardians, bodyguard or lackeys, etc., as 1 Kings 1:5. See also 1 Sam. 8:11. Thus Absalom presented himself in a new kind of way to make the people believe that he carried himself as the heir to the crown; Amnon, the first born, being dead, and perhaps Chileab, the second son, likewise, or at least of no account. It is also possible that he intended hereby to prevent Solomon, of whose succession (it may be) he had understood God’s counsel, and his father’s purpose.
2And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the 2gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of 3one of the tribes of Israel.
2 Of the king’s court.
3 That is, of this or that city, situated in this or that tribe.
3And Absalom said unto him, 4See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no 5man deputed of the king to hear thee.
4 Or, consider thy matters, they are good and right.
5 That is, there is no man deputed or appointed of the king to examine duly thy cause, and to help thee to right.
4Absalom said moreover, 6Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice!
6 Hebr. who will place me, etc. A manner of wishing. Compare Judges 9 on verse 29.
5And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him.
67And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom 8stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
7 Hebr. according to this word, or, according to this thing, that is, thus on this manner.
8 That is, he coveted and drew to himself the affection of the Israelites. Compare Gen. 31 on verse 20.
7¶And it came to pass after 9forty years, that Absalom said unto the king, I pray thee, let me go and pay my 10vow, which I have vowed unto the LORD, in 11Hebron.
9 How and from where these forty years are to be counted is very uncertain, seeing the Holy Scripture makes no mention of it and there are various opinions about it.
10 He covers up his mischievous conspiracy with a show of holiness to deceive his father, and to hide from the common people his ambition to rule.
11 A place very well known in Israel by reason of many considerable matters. See Gen. 32:2; 2 Sam. 2:3; 5:1, etc.
8For 12thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at 13Geshur in Syria, saying, If the LORD shall bring me 14again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will 15serve the LORD.
12 That is, I, etc.
13 See 2 Sam. 13:37, 38.
14 Hebr. bringing again shall bring again.
15 That is, perform a special service unto God, in offering sacrifices, and praising God for His mercy shown to me, as my vow necessitates.
9And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron.
10¶But Absalom sent 16spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom 17reigneth in Hebron.
16 To prepare the people, who were already inclined to Absalom, verse 2, to defect from David, and to encourage to follow Absalom.
17 Or, is king.
11And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were 18called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing.
18 To be present at Absalom’s feast of thanksgiving, without being in the least privy to his conspiracy, as follows.
12And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counsellor, from his city, even from 19Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.
19 A city in Judah, Joshua 15:51.
13¶And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.
14And David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not else 20escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and 21bring evil upon us, and smite the 22city 23with the edge of the sword.
20 If we would tarry long here, he would surprise us; we shall not be able to escape his hand.
21 Hebr. thrust.
22 That is, the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
23 Hebr. at the mouth of the sword.
15And the king's servants said unto the king, 24Behold, thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint.
24 That is, we are ready and willing to follow thee, and to do what pleaseth thee, what thou commandest. Compare 2 Sam. 19:38; Psalm 25 on verse 12. See also Gen. 22 on verse 1.
16And the king went forth, and all his household 25after him. And the king left 26ten women, which were concubines, to keep the house.
25 Hebr. upon, or, with his feet; and so in the sequel. Compare verse 30. Other, at his feet, that is, behind him, or following him.
26 Hebr. ten women, concubines.
17And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was 27far off.
27 Hebr. in an house (that is, place) of remoteness. The meaning is: when they were gone a good way from the city, then they stood still to place themselves in order, and so to march over the brook Kidron.
18And all his 28servants passed on beside him; and all thea29Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men which 30came after him 31from Gath, passed on before the king.
28 That is, officers and courtiers, as often.
a 2 Sam. 8:18; 1 Kings 1:38; 1 Chron. 18:17.
29 That is, his lifeguard. See 1 Kings 1 on verse 38.
30 Hebr. upon his feet. Understand that every one of them came on foot.
31 See 2 Sam. 6 on verse 10; 2 Sam. 8 on verse 1.
19¶Then said the king to 32Ittai the Gittite, Wherefore goest thou also with us? return to thy place, and abide with the 33king: for thou art a 34stranger, and also an exile.
32 The chief commander of the six hundred men who were come from Gath unto David, who kept a garrison (as some perceive) in the city of Gath, which David had taken from the Philistines. See 2 Sam. 8 on verse 1. This man was also used by David as a commander, 2 Sam. 18:2.
33 Namely, Absalom, who was now held by the people to be their king.
34 So that Absalom can have no cause to suspect thee, and consequently thou shalt, with Absalom’s leave, have free liberty to return to Gath, whereas thou, abiding with me, wilt hazard thine estate and the people who are with thee.
20Whereas thou camest but 35yesterday, should I this day make thee go up and down with us? seeing I go whither I may, return thou, and take back thy brethren: 36mercy and truth be with thee.
35 That is, lately.
36 That is, may similar kindness and faithfulness happen to you, as you have shown to me. Other, reward thy brethren, who are with thee, kindness and faithfulness.
21And Ittai answered the king, and said, As the LORD liveth, and as my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will thy servant be.
22And David said to Ittai, Go and pass 37over. And Ittai the Gittite passed over, and all his men, and all the little ones that were with him.
37 Over or through the brook Kidron, as is related in the sequel.
23And all the 38country wept with a 39loud voice, and all the people 40passed over: the king also himself passed over the brookb41Kidron, and all the people passed over, 42toward the way of the 43wilderness.
38 That is, all the inhabitants of the land, situated about Jerusalem.
39 Hebr. greater.
40 Or, passed through, as some perceive that there were shallow places where they might pass through on foot.
b John 18:1.
41 Running eastward past Jerusalem, along the foot of the Mount of Olives. Our Savior Jesus Christ went also over this brook when He was to be apprehended and to suffer for us, John 18:1.
42 Hebr. toward the face of the way, etc.
43 Situated between Jerusalem and the Jordan, otherwise also called the plain. See verse 28; 2 Sam. 16:2; 17:16. Likewise 2 Sam. 2:29.
24¶And lo 44Zadok also, and all the Levites were with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God: and they set down the ark of God; and 45Abiathar 46went up, until all the people had done passing out of the city.
44 See 2 Sam. 8 on verse 17.
45 See of this man 1 Sam. 22:20, etc.; 30:7, 8; 2 Sam. 20:25; 1 Kings 1:7; 2:26, 27.
46 It may be, to look over from the top of the Mount of Olives when all the people, who followed David out of Jerusalem, were passed over the brook Kidron and that there were none more to be expected. Compare Joshua 3:17.
25And the king said unto Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city: if I shall find favour in the eyes of the LORD, he will bring me again, and shew me both it, and 47his habitation:
47 Other, with her habitation, namely, of the ark. Understand the tabernacle, wherein the ark was placed at that time, and consequently where God in a special manner was present with His grace. See 2 Sam. 6:17.
26But if he thus say, 48I have no delight in thee; 49behold, here am I, let him do to me 50as seemeth good unto him.
48 As if he said: If on the contrary it pleases Him to chastise me further, I am ready to submit myself to His will.
49 See Gen. 22 on verse 1.
50 That is, so as it shall please or seem good unto Him.
27The king said also unto Zadok the priest, 51Art not thou a seer? return into the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz thy son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar.
51 That is, a teacher who must look to the people? Other, thou art the seer, that is, as a prophet (see 1 Sam. 9:9), because he inquired of the Lord by Urim and Thummim and received an answer from Him. He may besides that also have been a prophet. Some take it thus: Seest thou not? Namely, how the affairs go and what is needful.
28See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until there come 52word from you to certify me.
52 That is, some intelligence of what happens at Jerusalem or is attempted by Absalom.
29Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem: and they tarried there.
30¶And David went up by the ascent 53of mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head 54covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.
53 Hebr. of olives, which stood in great quantities upon the Mount of Olivet.
54 These were signs of mourning, shame and humiliation. See also of the covering the head, 2 Sam. 19:4; Esther 6:12; Jer. 14:3, 4; Ezek. 31:15. And of going barefoot or without shoes Isa. 20:2, 3, 4; Jer. 2:25.
31 ¶ 55And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, 56turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.
55 Other, Then David declared, saying, etc.
56 Hebr. make foolish, infatuate. Compare 2 Sam. 16:23.
32¶And it came to pass, that when David was come to the 57top of the mount, where he worshipped God, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat 58rent, and earth upon his head:
57 Namely, of the Mount Olivet; from where he might behold the city and the habitation of the Lord, in which the ark (a type of the Messiah Jesus Christ) had her abode, and to which the believers of the Old Testament, being absent or in banishment, were wont to direct their faces in prayer as a sign that they grounded their prayers on the merits of the Messiah. Compare 1 Kings 8:44, 48; Dan. 6:10.
58 See 2 Sam. 1 on verse 2.
33Unto whom David said, If thou passest on with me, then thou shalt be a burden unto 59me:
59 Hebr. be a burden upon me.
34But if thou return to the city, and say unto Absalom, I will be 60thy servant, O king; as I have been thy father’s servant 61hitherto, so will I now also be thy servant: then mayest thou for me defeat the counsel of Ahithophel.
60 Other, O king, I will be thy servant, as I have been formerly thy father’s, so will I now be thy servant.
61 Hebr. from that time.
3562And hast thou not there with thee Zadok and Abiathar the priests? therefore it shall be, that what thing soever thou shalt hear out of the king's house, thou shalt tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests.
62 That is, they are surely there. Of such kind of questions see Judges 4 on verse 6 and elsewhere often.
36Behold, they have there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz Zadok's son, and Jonathan Abiathar's son; and by 63them ye shall send unto me every thing that ye can hear.
63 That is, their ministry.
37So Hushai David's friend came into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem.