Chapter 17:
| 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 17
Ahithophel advises Absalom to dispatch, ver. 1-4 Hushai
advises deliberation, and his advice is received, ver. 5-14.
Intelligence is sent to David, ver. 15-21. David passes over
Jordan, ver. 22. Ahithophel hangs himself, ver. 23. Absalom
pursues David, ver. 24-26. David is supplied with necessaries,
ver. 27-29.
Verse 2. And I will, &c. - That such a wretch as Absalom should aim at
his father's throat is not strange. But that the body of the people,
to whom David had been so great a blessing, should join with him
in it, is amazing. But the finger of God was in it. Let not the best
of parents, or the best of princes think it strange, if they are
injured by those who should be their support and joy, when they
(like David) have provoked God to turn against them.
Verse 5. Call Hushai - A wonderful effect of Divine Providence,
influencing his heart, that he could not rest in Ahithophel's
counsel, though it was so evidently wise, and approved by the
general consent of his whole party; and that he should desire
Hushai's advice, though neither his reputation for wisdom was
equal to Ahithophel's, nor had he yet given anyone proof of his
fidelity to Absalom. But there is no contending with that God who
can arm a man against himself, and destroy him by his own
mistakes and passions.
Verse 9. Pit - Having been often accustomed to that course, and well
acquainted with in all hiding-places from Saul's time. In one of
them, unknown to us, he will lurk with some of his chosen men,
and lie in ambush for us; and, when they see a fit opportunity,
they will suddenly come forth and surprize some of our men,
when they least expect it, and probably at first put them to flight.
Some - Namely, of Absalom's men sent against David. At the first
- Implying, that their good success at first would mightily animate
David's men to proceed vigourously in the fight, and intimidate
Absalom's army, and consequently would be both a presage and
an occasion of their total defeat.
Verse 11. I counsel - His pretense was, that they might make sure,
though slow work: his design was to gain David time, that he
might increase his army, and make better provision for the battle;
and that the present heat of the people might be cooled, and they
might bethink themselves of their duty, and return to their
allegiance. Thou - For thy presence will put life and courage into
thy soldiers, who will be ambitious to shew their skill and courage
in defending thy person, when they know that all their actions are
observed by him who hath the distribution of rewards and
punishments in his hands. Besides, the glory of the victory will be
wholly thine, which now Ahithophel seeks to get to himself.
Verse 12. As dew - That is, plenteously, suddenly, irresistibly, and on all
sides; for so the dew falls.
Verse 13. Bring ropes - It is an hyperbolical expression, suited to the
vain-glorious temper of this insolent young man: implying, that
they would do so if they could not destroy him another way: or,
that they should be enough to do so, if there were occasion. River
- Adjoining to the city; it being usual to build cities near some
river, both for defense, and for other accommodations.
Verse 14. Absalom and all, &c. - Be it observed, to the comfort of all
that fear God, he turns all mans hearts as the rivers of water. He
stands in the congregation of the mighty, has an over-ruling hand
in all counsels, and a negative voice in all resolves, and laughs at
mens projects against his children.
Verse 16. Lodge not - Lest the king's and people's mind's change, and
Ahithophel persuade the king to pursue you speedily.
Verse 17. Enrogel - Or, the fullers well. A place near Jerusalem, Josh.
xv, 7; xviii, 16. Wench - Pretending to go thither to wash some
cloaths, or to draw water.
Verse 19. Spread corn - Under pretense of drying it by the sun: which
shews it was summer-time.
Verse 20. Over the brook of water - That is, over Jordan. This was a
manifest lie.
Verse 23. Hanged himself - See here contempt poured upon the wisdom
of man! He that was more renowned for policy than ever any man
was, played the fool with himself more than ever any man did.
See likewise honour done to the justice of God! The wicked is
snared in the work of his own hands.
Verse 24. Passed - Not speedily, but when all the men of Israel were
gathered together according to Hushai's counsel.
Verse 25. Nahash - Nahash is the name of Jesse's wife, by whom he had
this Abigail, as he had Zeruiah by another wife; so they were
sisters by the father, but not by the mother.
Verse 27. Shobi - Who, as it may seem, disliked and disowned that
barbarous action to the ambassadors; and therefore, when the rest
were destroyed, was left king or governor of the residue of the
Ammonites. Machir - See above chap. ix, 4.
Verse 29. In - Having been in the wilderness. Thus God sometimes
makes up to his people that comfort from strangers, which they
are disappointed of in their own families.
Chapter 17:
| 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.
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
