2 Samuel 15

2 Samuel 15:1-6

About 1. 1. And it came to pass after this, that Abfalom prepared him chariots, and horses, and fifty men

AND it came to pass after this, that Abfalom prepared him chariots, and horses, and fifty men from before him. 2. And Abfalom ’took up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Abfalom called unto him, and said, Of what city are thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel. 3. And Abfalom said unto him, See, ’thy matters are good and right, but ’there is no man desisted of the king to hear thee. 4. Abfalom said moreover, ‘O 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. 5. And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obviance, ‘he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him. 6. And on this manner did Abfalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Abfalom ’ttook the hearts of the men of Israel.

No sooner is Abfalom restored to favour, than we find him plotting to dethrone his father, and seeking, for that purpose, to alienate from him the love of his subjects, and attach them to himself. For this purpose,

1. He prepares a grand equipage and retinue. His chariots, his horsemen, and fifty footmen to clear the way, were magnificent. Israel had not seen before, and which dreaded even minds, as some great thing. Probably David himself was proud of the figure his son made, and, by consistance, encouraged his ambitious views. Note, (1.) Parents who indulge their children in pomp and pride, know not the injury they do them and themselves. (2.) The vanity of making a figure in the world, is the rock on which more young persons split, than on any other.

2. He pretends great zeal for Israel’s good; is seen constant and early at the gate, as if longing to have bullaeful dispatched; and kindly impairs into every man’s cause, as if delicious to do them justice. On a flight bearing, where one party only re-

presented his case, he fastened him with certain success in his cause, if there were but any one deputed to hear him; but insinuates the negligent administration of justice, and how much the land suffered for want of an active and upright magistrate; intimating how happy it would be for the people, if he were judge, when every man might expect speedy redress, and equitable decisions. Such pretensions easily funk down into unthinking minds, and fastened them with halcyon days under his administration: and his familiarity and confection to the lowest of the people, soon won their hearts; for he shook them by the hand, embraced them as if a friend or a brother, and stuck not to stoop, however low, in order to climb into the throne. Note, (1.) Zeal for the public good, and malice of grievances, are often the dull thrown into the eyes of the populace, to conceal the prophets of ambition. (2.) The hell of kings, and the most upright administration, must never expect to escape the malignant aforesaid of a discontented faction. (3.) They who are most eager to get into the seat of judgment, are often half qualified for the trust: the deferring know the difficulty, and modestly decline it. (4.) They who court popularity by low confection, are no sooner in power, than they throw off the mark, and play the tyrant over a defused people.

7. And it came to pass after forty years, that Abfalom said unto the king, I pray thee let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto the LORD, in Hebron. 8. For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Gethur in Syria, saying, If the LORD shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD. 9. And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose and went to Hebron. 10. But Abfalom ‘sent ipies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Abfalom ‘regmeth in Hebron. 11. And with Abfalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were called, and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing. 12. And Abfalom sent for ‘Alothophel the Gilsonir, David’s counsellor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices: and the conspiracy was strong; for ’the people increased continually with Abfalom.

2 Samuel 15:7-12

The conspiracy being ripe for action, Abfalom seeks an occasion to declare himself, the text says, after forty years, not of David’s reign, but from the time the kingly government commenced; or, as some conjecture it should be read, after four years, according to the Syriac and Arabic versions, from his reconciliation to his father.

1. He pitches upon Hebron, as the rendezvous, the place of his birth, and once the metropolis of Judah, where David reigned seven years: thither he begs leave of his father to go, under pretence of fulfilling a vow made during his caste; and David, without suspicion of a plot, sends him away with his benediction, pleased perhaps to see his son so religiously inclined, and resolved, according to his vow, to serve the Lord. Note, (1.) It is a great comfort to godly parents, when their perverse children promise reformation, and they would gain perish themselves, what they wish to believe, that it is forever. (2.) There are few unnatural parents, but many rebellious sons: affection defends oftener than it returns. (3.) Pretexts of religion have, since the days of Abfalom, opened the door for rebellion.

2. To cover his design, and to gain credit to his cause, he invites two hundred from Jerusalem with him, the chief men probably in the city, who were not at all privy to his intentions, yet whose pretence would make it supposed they were of his party. Note, When religion is made the tool of ambitious men, many an honest citizen, and pious mindless, hath been led to lend his countenance to that, which, if he saw the black intentions which lurk under the cloak of hypocrisy, his very soul would abhor.

3. Abfalom contrives to make a general rising of the country in his favour, by means of conspirators dispersed throughout all the tribes, who, on the signal given by sound of trumpet, should proclaim him king. This sudden news would not only draw in those who were in the secret, but many who might conclude David was dead, or Abfalom proclaimed by his consent; but who, once engaged, would not be able to retreat. Note, (1.) Worldly cunning, and disholical wisdom, they shall not want, who have Satan at their elbow. (2.) We must not be rashly credulous, lest we discover too late our folly.

4. Alothophel was his chief counsellor, a man of deep politics, who on disgust had retired from court, intended, it may be, at David’s adultery with Bathsheba, whose grandfather he is supposed to be, See chap. xi. 3. xxvii. 34. and glad to embrace an opportunity to revenge such dishonour. Him Abfalom sent for during the sacrifice; the fire of ambition in his heart burning fiercer than the souls on the altar.

5. The conspiracy grew strong by continual accession. Those,

to whom he had spoken so fair in the gates, readily joined his standard, and gave him their interest, and the populace swam with the firemen. Note, The giddy multitude are easily led; but numbers are no proof of a good cause.

13. ¶ And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom. 14. And David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, Arife, and let us rise; for we shall not sly escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and sinute the city with the edge of the sword. 15. And the king’s servants said unto the king, ‘Behold, thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint. 16. And the king went forth, and all his household after him: and the king left: ten women, which were concubines, to keep the house. 17. And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarred in a place that was far off. 18. And all his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherebites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, fix hundred men, which came after him from Gath, passed on before the king. 19. ¶ Then said the king to Itai, the Gittite, Wherefore goeth thou also with us? return to thy place, and abide with the king; for thou art a stranger, and also an exile. 20. Whereas thou camell but yesterday, 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: mercy and truth be with thee. 21. And Itai answered the king, and said, ‘At the LORD liveth, and as my lord the king liveth, surely to what place my lord the king shall be, whether to death or life, even there also will thy servant be. 22. And David said to Itai, Go and pass over. And Itai the Gittite passed over, and all his men, and all the little ones that were with him. 23. And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over, towards the way of the wilderness.

2 Samuel 15:13-23

Soon are tidings brought of this unnatural rebellion; and as fear exaggerates danger, the hearts of all the men of Israel are said to be with Absalom.

1. David, exceedingly terrified, thinks of nothing but flight. His courage either forsaken him, or, seeing God’s hand in the conspiracy, he is afraid to resist, and, however wicked the instrument, submits to it as a divine judgment upon him; of, as his forces were unequal to the conspirators, he endeavours to gain time, left if they besieged him in Jerusalem, his case should appear desperate, and all the people give him up as lost. Note, (1.) Our honored strokes come from hands we shall be forfeited. (2.) Fear of God’s anger in our sufferings, is the cause of deepest depiction under them.

2. He leaves Jerusalem to his rebel son, and with his few faithful adherents on foot passes over the brook Kidron, the place afterwards more distinguished by the Son of David, when he went the same way to the garden, the scene of his agony. His wives and hoathholds attended him, ten of his concubines excepted, whom he imprudently left behind, to keep the palace, God so over-riding it, to fulfil his threatenings. The Cherebites and Pelethites stuck to him, with the Gittites under the command of Itai, either a corps of Philistine preselytes from Gath, or a body of Israelites, so called from their joining him which he made his abode there. These, with as many of the people as cause to share his lot, composed his little army. Note, (1.) It becomes us to humble ourselves under the afflicting hand of God. (2.) In times of suffering, a large family is a great incumbrance; domestic comforts and cruises thus balance each other. (3.) Greater fidelity is often found in strangers, than in our kinshah and countrymen. (4.) They who follow Christ, must be volunteers, and firmly cleave to his cause when it appears most in danger.

3. David, more kindly solicitous for Itai and his men, than concerned to secure such an help in his distressed situation, nobly prefers him to return, and not think of sharing his desperate affairs; settling him the bulk of blessings, and defending him as a friend, whose kindness he had experienced, and thankfully acknowledged. But Itai bravely adheres to him, cannot bear the thought of leaving him in his distress, reduced in life or death to share his lot, and never to desert him. Note, (1.) A groomen heart is unwilling to another others in his sufferings. (2.) A faithful friend no situation can affect, may, the more defending our calls, the more such an one delights to approve his fidelity. (3.) Neither the trials of life, nor any moments of death, can separate the believing God from its attachment to Jesus.

No. 1.

4. The people, as he passed towards Jordan, tenderly sympathized in his sufferings, to see so good a king sunk so low, so good a father dethroned by an unnatural child. Note, There is not a greater object of comparison, than a father suffering under the wickedness of a rebellious son.

Before Chord

24. ¶ And lo, Zadok 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 Abiathar went up, until all the people had done passing out of the city. 25. And 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 forth it, and his habitation. 26. But if he thus say, I have no delight in thee: behold here am I, Let him do to me as seemeth good unto him. 27. The king said also unto Zadok the priest, ‘Art not thou a seer? return into the city in peace, and your two sons with you, A himaz thy son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar. 28. See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until there come word from you to certify me. 29. Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem, and they tarred there. 30. ¶ And David went up by the advent of mount Olivet, and I went as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went bare-foot; and all the people that met with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.

2 Samuel 15:24-30

The priests and Levites follow the king with the ark, as men of conscience, and not to be shaken in their loyalty under the deepest sufferings. But David will not permit them to go with him: he had sought a rest for the ark, and he will not have it again wander in the wilderness.

1. He bids Zadok carry it back: at least Absalom will spare this sacred treasure. If the Lord be pleased to show him favour in his restoration, then, according to the longings of his heart, he shall enjoy the comfort of the ark again: if not, with holy submission to his righteous will, he humbly acquiesces, acknowledging his deserts, and the goodness as well as justice of God, whose ways are all mercy and truth. Note, (1.) Absence from God’s ordinances is the grief of the gracious heart, and his soul longs fore to appear before God in the assembly of his saints. (2.) Resignation to God’s will in suffering, shows real humiliation under sin. (3.) They who trust on God, may assuredly conclude, that, whatever be the issue, all shall be well.

2. He expresses his confidence in Zadok and his bestow, that they will take care of his interest, and do him more essential service at Jerusalem than in the wilderness. Zadok being a seer, a man of penetration and dissonation, might by his sons lend him intelligence how affiant went on, and how it would be most advisable for him to proceed; and we shall quickly set the prudence of this determination.

3. David began his melancholy march with an act of deep humiliation. As he went up the advent of the mount of Olivet, his capital in view, from whence so miserably he was driven, in token of the bitterest mourning, he covered his head and his feet, weeping as he ascended the hill, not more over his unhappy circumstances, than over his ungrateful son, but most of all in the remembrance of the sins that had provoked God thus severely to afflict him. His servants felt his foreword, and closed the mournful procession with groans and tears. Note, (1.) It becomes us under afflictions to mount more for our sins than our sufferings. (2.) Children’s vile conduct is the bitter grief of their aged parents. (3.) It is our duty to weep with those that weep.

4. ¶ And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness. 32. ¶ And it came to pass, that when David was come to the top of the mount, where he worshipped God, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him, with his coat rent, and earth upon his head: 33. Unto whom David said, If thou passeth no with me, then thou shalt be a burden unto me. 34. But if thou return to the city, and say unto Absalom, I will be thy 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. 35. And as if 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. 36. Behold, they have there with them: their two sons,

Before Christ son, Ahimazz Zadok’s son, and Jonathan Abiathar’s son: and by them ye shall send unto me every thing that ye can hear. 37. So Hufhai David’s friend came into the city, and Abfalom came into Jerusalem.

2 Samuel 15:31-37

On his march farther particulars arrive of the conspirators.

1. Ahithophel is among them; whose craft and politics were more dangerous than all the other forces of Abfalom. David therefore opposes his prayers against Ahithophel’s counsels, and begs God to make foolish the wisdom of the wife. Note, (1.) Let not the wife man glory in his wisdom, God can quickly turn it into foolishness. (2.) We may falsely pray for the confession of their devices that mean to destroy the cause of God and truth.

2. David feels to countermine the wisdom of Ahithophel by the prudence of Hufhai. God, in answer to his prayers, sends him a friend; Hufhai met him on the top of the hill, with ex-prefere signs of sympathetic sorrow, willing to join his suffering king; but David has more useful employment for him at Jerusalem; by pretending to serve Abfalom he might defeat the advice of Ahithophel, and getting into the hearts of the cabinet, by Zadok’s sons inform David of them. The differentiation of Hufhai, and the advice of David, in this case, will hardly admit of excuse. Note, (1.) They who themselves are perishous and hate, can expect no better than to be betrayed. (2.) It is a point of deep wisdom to guard against the dangers we foresee.