2 Samuel 15
DOYLYChap. XVI. ver. 1.—the top of the hill.] Mount Olivet, chap. xv. 30.
—a bottle of wine.] A leathern bottle or vessel, made of a large hide, holding probably a considerable quantity. See note on 1 Sam. xxv. 18.
2 Samuel 15:3
3.—for he said, To day shall the house &c.] This seems to be a fiction of Ziba’s, but well contrived; for,
the family of David being now broken, Mephibosheth might think that the crown of his grandfather Saul might descend to him. On this occasion, however, David seems to have been too credulous, and rashly to have condemned Mephibosheth, before he was heard in his defence, not imagining that Ziba would come to him with a notorious falsehood. Bp. Patrick.
2 Samuel 15:5
5.—he came forth, and cursed &c.] With a heavy heart and a covered head, and a weeping eye, and bare feet, David had gone away from Jerusalem. Never had he approached it with more joy than now he left with sorrow. How could he do otherwise, when the insurrection of his own son drove him out from his house, from his throne, from the ark of God? And now, when the depth of this grief deserved nothing but compassion, the foul mouth of Shimei entertains David with curses. In all the time of David’s prosperity, we heard no news of Shimei; his silence and colourable obedience made him pass for a true subject: yet, all this while his heart was unsound and traitorous. Peace and good success hide many a false heart: adversity will not deceive us, but will make a true report, as of our own power, so of the disposition of others. Bp. Hall.
2 Samuel 15:6
- — so Absalom stole the hearts] The name of Da-vid’s son carries the Israelites against the father of Absalom; and now they are unwittingly made loyal rebels. Their hearts are free from conspiracy; and they mean nothing but fidelity, in the attendance of a traitor. How many thousands are thus ignorantly misled into a train of error. Their simplicity is as worthy of pity, as their misguidance is of indignation. Bp. Hall.
2 Samuel 15:7
- — after forty years,] It has been a difficulty with commentators to know where to date the beginning of these forty years. Some compute them from the time when the Israelites first demanded a king of Samuel; others, from the time when David was first anointed king. Others again conjecture, that an error has crept into the Hebrew text, and that instead of forty should be read four years; that is, four years after Ab-salom was re-established in Jerusalem, and had used all his alluring arts to gain the affections of the na-tion. Stackhouse, Bp. Patrick.
2 Samuel 15:10
- — As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet,] It would appear from this, that Absalom had planted trumpeters at proper distances to take the sound from one to another, and disperse it over all the kingdom, that so all the friends to his cause might instantly re-sort to his assistance. Stackhouse.
VOL. I.
- — the Lord hath said unto him.] He means, that the Lord had given him an opportunity of venting his rage and malice, as a punishment on David. In humbly submitting to this contemptuous abuse, which he considered as dispensed by God, David’s virtue was admirable: for it is hard indeed to stifle all motions to revenge, when the provocation is great, and the means of gratifying it at hand. Bp. Patrick.
In this expression, and that which follows, ver. 11, “The Lord hath bidden him,” it is not meant that God put any wickedness into Shimei’s heart, but that He left him to his own wickedness; took away that prudence which should have restrained him from such hazardous conduct, and brought David into so distressed a situation, that he was exposed to such scorn and insolence. In short, David considered Shimei as an instrument in the hand of Providence, and endured his abuses patiently out of a consciousness of his own sinfulness, and a reverence for that Deity who had brought him thus low. Stackhouse.
2 Samuel 15:12
- It may be that the Lord will look &c.] This answer of David, while it shews his high reverence for God, and his consciousness that all Shimei’s reproaches were undeserved, marks the generosity of his temper, and his humble hope that God would reward him for his patient submission to the punishment now allotted to him. Dr. Chandler.
How admirable was the meekness on this occasion of that holy king and Prophet David! When he was reviled by Shimei in the presence of all his host, he took it patiently, and reviled not again; but, as confessing God to be the author of his innocency and good name, resigned himself to His good pleasure. Let him alone, he says, for God hath commanded him to curse David; and perhaps God intendeth thereby to render me some good turn for these cursings this day. Church Homilies.
2 Samuel 15:13
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— The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.] If it should be deemed surprising that Absalom should so easily draw the Israelites into rebellion against David; it should not be forgotten, that the providence of God permitted the conspiracy to go on without dis-covery, and rise to that height of driving David from his throne, in order to bring on the punishments de-nounced against him by Nathan, for his conduct re-specting Bath-sheba and Uriah. Dr. Chandler.
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— and cast dust.] Sir J. Chardin has made an observation which may illustrate this: he says, that in almost all the East, those who accuse a criminal, or demand justice against him, throw dust upon him; as much as to say, he deserves to be put under ground: and it is a common imprecation of the Turks and Persians, Be covered with earth. So Shimei may have designed to declare, by what he did, that David was unworthy to live. Harmer.
Whether Shimei had been a personal sufferer in the fall of Saul’s family, or what else had exasperated him against David, does not appear; but it seems as if he had conceived some most flagrant offence against him, when neither the presence of a king, nor the terrour of his guards, could restrain him from such behaviour. It is a proof too how much the king had fallen into contempt, when a private person could vent his malice in so gross a manner with impunity. Stackhouse.
2 Samuel 15:14
- — Arise, and let us flee.] A more moving spec-tacle could not be exhibited than this of a king, vene-rable for his years and victories, sacred in the characters both of his piety and of prophecy, renowned for prowess and revered for wisdom, thus reduced to the condition of a fugitive, to a sudden and extreme necessity of flying for his life, from the presence and by the rebel-lion of his own son, his darling and delight; and a whole country loudly lamenting his fate. Dr. Delaney.
2 Samuel 15:18
- — all the Gittites, &c.] The Gittites were either proselytes born in Gath of the Philistines, who came with Ittai to David; or Israelites who fled to David in his exile at Gath. For the Cherethites and Pelethites, see note at chap. viii. 18.
2 Samuel 15:19
- — return to thy place, &c.] Return to Jerusalem and abide with Absalom, who is king by usurpation. Bp. Patrick.
2 Samuel 15:21
- — Go in unto thy father’s concubines.] It appears from this, that Ahithophel was a profane politician, who did not regard by how wicked means he accomplished his ends. His intention in giving this advice appears from what follows to have been, to make the father and son irreconcilable enemies, and to convince all persons that they could never come to an accommodation. Bp. Patrick. The sin committed by Absalom with his father’s wives is a fresh instance of the impiety and wickedness of this wretched creature, and at the same time a just judgment of God upon David for his adultery, and the accomplishment of what the Prophet Nathan had threatened him with, that God would take his wives and give them to one of his own house; and as Absalom committed this detestable action by the counsel of Ahithophel, whose purpose was to support the cause in which he was engaged, and carry things to that extremity, that a peace between David and Absalom might be utterly impossible, we learn how much evil may arise
Before CHRIST 1622. the king live.
2 Samuel 15:23
- — the way of the wilderness.] The wilderness that lay between Jerusalem and Jericho. Bp. Patrick.
2 Samuel 15:25
- — Carry back the ark of God] David may have ordered the ark to be carried back, for several reasons: because he did not think it decent to have so sacred a thing exposed to hazard and inconvenience; because this might have argued an undue distrust of the goodness and providence of God; and principally, perhaps, because the priests and Levites, of whose fidelity he was satisfied, could do him more service by remaining in Jerusalem, than by attending in his camp. Stackhouse.
2 Samuel 15:26
- — let him do to me as seemeth good] This language shews with what profound humility David received the chastisement of the Lord, and with what resignation he submitted to the Divine will. Thus ought all, whom God afflicts, and especially great sinners, to humble themselves under His hand, and bow to His supreme will. Osterwald.
2 Samuel 15:28
- — to certify me.] To certify him of Absalom’s designs, in order that he might direct his course accordingly. Bp. Patrick.
2 Samuel 15:29
- — Zadok therefore and Abiathar] Abiathar was the high priest, and Zadok only the second priest; but Zadok seems to have been the greatest favourite with David, and to have acted as the principal, being always spoken of first. Bp. Patrick.
2 Samuel 15:30
- — by the ascent of mount Olivet.] Mount Olivet, or the mount of Olives, was a short distance from Jerusalem towards the east, in the way to the plain of the deserts and the fords of Jordan. Dr. Chandler. — his head covered, — barefoot:] Covering the head was used by persons in great distress, or when they were loaded with disgrace and infamy, Esther vi. 12; 2 Sam. xix. 4; Ezek. xii. 6. To walk “barefoot,” also, was an indication of great distress. In ancient times, the shoes of great and wealthy persons were made of very rich materials, and ornamented with jewels, gold, and silver. When any great calamity befell them, either public or private, they not only stripped themselves of these ornaments, but of their very shoes, and walked barefoot. Dr. Chandler.
2 Samuel 15:31
- — turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.] It is worthy of observation, that, when David prayed to the Lord, it was not against Ahithophel, but against his counsel. Dr. Hales.
2 Samuel 15:33
- — thou shalt be a burden unto me.] As he was no soldier, he could not be useful in the field, and would contribute to distress David for provisions. Bp. Patrick.
2 Samuel 15:34
- — say unto Absalom, I will be thy servant, &c.] with instructions. Shimei curseth David. Before CHRIST 1028.
servant, O king; as I have been thy father’s servant hitherto, so will I now also be thy servant: then mayest thou for me defeat the counsel of Ahithophel.