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
Absalom steals the hearts of the people, ver. 1-6. He
conspires against David, ver. 7-12. David flies from Jerusalem,
ver. 13-18. He confers with Ittai, and passes over Kidron, ver. 19-23. Sends back Zadok with the ark, ver. 24-29. His prayer on this
occasion, ver. 30, 31. He concerts with Hushai, ver. 32-37.
Verse 1. Prepared - As being the king's eldest son, now Amnon was
dead; for Chileab, who was his eldest brother, chap. iii, 3, was
either dead, or incapable of the government. And this course he
knew would draw the eyes of the people to him, and make them
conclude that David intended him for his successor.
Verse 2. Early - Thereby making a shew of solicitude for the good of the
public, and of every private person. Called him - Preventing him
with the offers of his assistance. And as if he were ready to make
particular enquiry into the state of his cause.
Verse 3. See - Upon some very slight hearing of their cause, he
approved it, that he might oblige all. No man - None such as will
do thee justice. The other sons and relations of the king, and the
rest of the Judges and rulers under him and them, are wholly
corrupted; or, at least not careful and diligent as they should be:
and my father being grown in years, is negligent of publick
affairs. It is the way of turbulent, aspiring men, to reproach the
government they are under. Even David himself, the best of kings,
could not escape the worst of censures.
Verse 7. After forty years - From the change of the government, into a
monarchy, which was about ten years before David began to
reign. So this fell out about the thirtieth year of his reign.
Verse 9. Hebron - This place he chose as being an eminent city, and next
to Jerusalem, the chief of the tribe of Judah, and the place where
his father began his kingdom, which he took for a good omen.
And where it is probable he had secured many friends. It was also
at a convenient distance from Jerusalem.
Verse 11. Called - Such as Absalom had picked out as fit for his
purpose; such as were of some reputation with the king and
people, which would give a countenance to his undertaking, and
give occasion to people at first to think that this was done by his
father's consent, as being now aged, and infirm, and willing to
resign the kingdom to him. It is no new thing, for good men to be
made use of by designing men to put a colour upon ill practices.
Verse 12. Sacrifices - Which he did not in devotion to God; but merely
that upon this pretense he might call great numbers of people
together.
Verse 14. Let us flee - For though the fort of Zion was strong, and he
might have defended himself there; yet he had not laid in
provisions for a long siege; and, if he had been once besieged
there, Absalom would have got speedy possession of his whole
kingdom; whereas if he marched abroad, he might raise a
considerable army for his defense. Besides, the greatest part of
Jerusalem could not be well defended against him.
Verse 16. After him - Or, on foot, which the king chose to do, to humble
himself under the hand of God; to encourage his companions in
this hard and comfortless march; and to move compassion in his
people towards him. Concubines - For he supposed that their sex
would protect them, and their relation to David would gain them
some respect, or at least, safety from his son.
Verse 17. Far off - At some convenient distance, tho' not very far.
Verse 18. Gittites - Or rather strangers, as Ittai their head is called, ver.
19, and they are called his brethren, ver. 20. Probably they were
Philistines by birth, born in the city or territory of Gath, as the
following words imply, who by David's counsel, and example,
were won to embrace the true religion, and had given good proof
of their military skill, and valour, and fidelity to the king.
Verse 19. Thy place - To Jerusalem, where thy settled abode now is. The
king - With Absalom who is now made king. An exile - Not much
concerned in our affairs, and therefore not fit to be involved in our
troubles.
Verse 20. Brethren - Thy countrymen the Gittites, ver. 18. Mercy, &c. -
Since I am now unable to recompense thy kindness and fidelity to
me, my hearty prayer to God is, that he would shew to thee his
mercy, in blessing thee with all sorts of blessings, and his
faithfulness in making good all these promises which he had
made, not to Israelites only, but to all true hearted proselytes, such
as thou art.
Verse 21. Will thy servant be - He is a friend indeed, who loves at all
times, and will cleave to us in adversity. Thus should we cleave to
the Son of David, that neither life, nor death may separate us from
his love.
Verse 22. Little ones - For being so deeply engaged for David, he durst
not leave his little ones to Absalom's mercy.
Verse 23. Kidron - Or, Cedron, which was near Jerusalem. The very
same brook that Christ passed over when he entered upon his
sufferings, John xviii, 1. Wilderness - Which was between
Jerusalem and Jericho.
Verse 24. Went up - From the ark to the city, which was on higher
ground, that so he being high-priest, might use his authority with
the people, to persuade them to do their duty; and there he staid
until all those whom he could persuade were gone forth.
Verse 25. Carry back - Out of care and reverence to the ark, which
though it might be carried our to a certain place; yet he might
justly think unfit to carry it from place to place he knew not
whither, and out of respect to the priests, whom, by this means, he
thought he should expose to the rage of Absalom, as he had before
exposed them to Saul's fury. Habitation - That is, the tabernacle
which David had lately built for it, chap. vi, 17, in which the ark,
and God, by means hereof, ordinarily dwelt.
Verse 26. Let him do - That we may not complain of what is, 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.
Verse 27. A seer - A seeing, discerning, or observing man: for so the
Hebrew verb raah is often used. And this suits well with David's
mind: Thou art a wise man, and therefore fit to manage this great
business, which requires prudence and secrecy.
Verse 30. Barefoot - In testimony of his deep sorrow, and humiliation
and shame for his sins.
Verse 34. And say - That is, as faithful to thee, as I have been to thy
father. David's suggesting this crafty counsel must be reckoned
amongst his sins. Nevertheless God was pleased to direct this evil
advice to a good end.
Verse 36. There - Not in Jerusalem, but in a place near it, to which they
could easily send upon occasion.
Verse 37. Absalom came, &c. - How soon do royal cities and royal
palaces change their masters? But we look for a kingdom which
cannot be moved.
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
This version of Wesley's Notes on the Bible is a derivative of an electronic version, Copyright 1997, by Sulu D. Kelley. All rights reserved. Used by permission. It may not be modified or used commercially without permission of Wesleyan Heritage Publishing and Sulu Kelley. A special thanks to Mr. Kelley and Wesleyan Heritage Publishing for permission to create and post this version of Wesley's Notes on the Bible.
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