Chapter 15:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 Samuel 1 Kings
2 Samuel 15
Concise Complete
Absalom's ambition. (1-6) His conspiracy. (7-12) David
leaves Jerusalem. (13-23) David sends back the ark. (24-30) He prays against
Ahithophel's counsel. (31-37)
Verses 1-6 David
allows Absalom's pomp. Those parents know not what they do, who indulge a proud
humour in their children: many young people are ruined by pride. And those
commonly are most eager for authority who least understand its duties.
Verses 7-12 See
how willing tender parents are to believe the best concerning their children.
But how easy and how wicked is it, for children to take advantage of good
parents, and to deceive them with the show of religion! The principal men of
Jerusalem joined Absalom's feast upon his sacrifice. Pious persons are glad to
see others appear religious, and this gives occasion for deceptions. The policy
of wicked men, and the subtlety of Satan, are exerted to draw good persons to
countenance base designs.
Verses 13-23
David determined to quit Jerusalem. He took this resolve, as a penitent
submitting to the rod. Before unrighteous Absalom he could justify himself, and
stand out; but before the righteous God he must condemn himself, and yield to
his judgments. Thus he accepts the punishment of his sin. And good men, when
they themselves suffer, are anxious that others should not be led to suffer with
them. He compelled none; those whose hearts were with Absalom, to Absalom let
them go, and so shall their doom be. Thus Christ enlists none but willing
followers. David cannot bear to think that Ittai, a stranger and an exile, a
proselyte and a new convert, who ought to be encouraged and made easy, should
meet with hard usage. But such value has Ittai for David's wisdom and goodness,
that he will not leave him. He is a friend indeed, who loves at all times, and
will adhere to us in adversity. Let us cleave to the Son of David, with full
purpose of heart, and neither life nor death shall separate us from his love.
Verses 24-30
David is very careful for the safety of the ark. It is right to be more
concerned for the church's prosperity than our own; to prefer the success of the
gospel above our own wealth, credit, ease, and safety. Observe with what
satisfaction and submission David speaks of the Divine disposal. It is our
interest, as well as our duty, cheerfully to acquiesce in the will of God,
whatever befalls us. Let us see God's hand in all events; and that we may not be
afraid of what shall be, let us see all events in God's hand. David's sin was
ever before him,
psalms
51:3; but never so plain, nor ever appearing so black as now. He never wept
thus when Saul hunted him, but a wounded conscience makes troubles lie heavy,
psalms 38:4.
Verses 31-37
David prays not against Ahithophel's person, but against his counsel. He prayed
this, in firm belief that God has all hearts in his hand, and tongues also. But
we must second our prayers with endeavours, and David did so, else we tempt God.
But we do not find wisdom and simplicity so united in any mere man, that we can
perceive nothing which needs forgiveness. Yet, when the Son of David was treated
with all possible treachery and cruelty, his wisdom, meekness, candour, and
patience, were perfect. Him let us follow, cleave to, and serve, in life and in
death.
Chapter 15:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 Samuel 1 Kings
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
