2 Samuel 16

2 Samuel 16:1

Siba was a mean character, but of sufficient discernment to judge that David would gain the day. He came to calumniate his master; and David paid too much attention to him, though his testimony would not have been received in a court of judicature. (Calmet) — We must reflect that the mind of David was full of trouble, and devoid of suspicion. (Haydock) — But he did wrong (Worthington) in condemning Miphiboseth unheard. — Raisins. See 1 Kings xxv. 18. (Calmet) — Figs; which are often called caricarum. (Menochius) — Hebrew mea kayits, “a hundred of summer” fruits, like fresh grapes, (Numbers xiii. 21.) and other fruits, gathered after harvest time, Micheas vii. 1.

2 Samuel 16:2

Loaves. Hebrew, “and to fight.” But the Septuagint and the Masorets reject the letter l, which causes the difference. (Calmet)

2 Samuel 16:3

Father: a very improbable story, as the son of Jonathan was lame, and all Israel had declared for Absalom. (Menochius)

2 Samuel 16:4

All. In the East, crimes are generally punished with the loss of goods. (Calmet) — Kings. He intimates that he had not spoken against his master, with a design to obtain his effects. (Menochius)

2 Samuel 16:5

Bahurim, a fortress of Benjamin, about an hour’s walk east of Bethania. (Adrichomius xxviii.) — It signifies, “chosen youths;” and it is called Almut, or Almon, “youth,” 1 Paralipomenon vi. 60, &c. Hither Phaltiel conducted Michol, chap. iii. 16. (Calmet)

2 Samuel 16:7

Belial; contemner of the laws, and murderer. (Menochius)

2 Samuel 16:9

Dog. David’s nephew was moved with indignation. He could easily have punished the insolence of Semei. (Haydock)

2 Samuel 16:10

Hath bid him curse. Not that the Lord was the author of Semei’s sin, which proceeded purely from his own malice, and the abuse of his free-will; but that knowing and suffering his malicious disposition to break out on this occasion, he made use of him as his instrument to punish David for his sins. (Challoner) — He adored the justice of God; who is often said to do what he does not hinder, or what he only permits. (Estius) — David is here a noble figure of Jesus Christ, excusing his executioners, (Haydock) and receiving the insults of the Jews, without complaining. (Calmet) — If Semei had not been guilty of sin, but acted according to God’s will, he could not have been justly punished, 3 Kings ii. (Worthington)

2 Samuel 16:12

Affliction, of which he makes a sort of sacrifice, being convinced that God will not reject the contrite and humble heart, Psalm l. 19. (Calmet)

2 Samuel 16:13

Earth, like a man in fury, Acts xxii. 23.

2 Samuel 16:14

There, on the hill side, (Haydock) at Bahurim, ver. 5. (Menochius)

2 Samuel 16:16

Arachite; perhaps descended from the ancient Aracites, who dwelt near Arad and Tripoli, where the pretended Sabbatic river is said to flow; (Josephus, Jewish Wars xii. 13.) or rather, as the names are written in a different manner, this person might be a native of Arachi, in Benjamin, west of Bethel, Josue xvi. 2. (Calmet) — See chap. xv. 32. — Friend. This was his peculiar title of office, 1 Paralipomenon xxvii. 33. (Calmet) — King. Literally, “Hail, O King,” in both places. The salutation is repeated for greater emphasis. (Haydock)

2 Samuel 16:17

Friend. He rather accuses him of treachery. (Haydock) — But he does not mention the name of king, or of father, lest it should too plainly speak his own condemnation, as an ungrateful rebel. (Salien)

2 Samuel 16:18

Chosen. Private people are not commonly able, or allowed, to judge of the right, which the prince has to the throne. But here Absalom was manifestly an usurper; and many still adhered to David. (Calmet) — Chusai assumes the character of a courtier, and flatters the prince; (Salien) who ought to have been on his guard. See chap. xv. 34. (Calmet)

2 Samuel 16:21

Their hands may be strengthened, &c. The people might apprehend lest Absalom should be reconciled to his father; and therefore they followed him with some fear of being left in the lurch, till they saw such a crime committed, as seemed to make a reconciliation impossible. (Challoner) — This was the most heinous outrage that a son could offer to his father. Jacob resented it to the last, Genesis xlix. 4. Amyntor devoted his son Ph'9cnix to all the furies, for a similar offence. (Homer, Iliad ix.) Armais treated the wives of his brother Sesostris in this manner, when he had resolved to rebel. (Josephus, contra Apion i.)

2 Samuel 16:22

Israel, who saw him enter the tents, (Calmet) on the flat roof, chap. xi. 2., and xii. 11. (Haydock) — The wives of the conquered king were reserved for the victor. Smerdis married all the wives of his predecessor, Cambyses. (Herodotus iii. 68, 83.) (Calmet)

2 Samuel 16:23

Absalom. It tended to promote the end which was desired, (Haydock) whether good or bad. His prudence is hyperbolically compared with the divine oracles; (Menochius) and his authority must have had great weight, since David began to take precautions, only after he had heard that Achitophel had joined the rebels; and Absalom was persuaded (Calmet) to perpetrate so foul and unnatural a crime publicly, no one daring to make any opposition. Chusai was silent; as he was aware that, if he began to contradict this counsellor at first, he would only incur suspicion. (Haydock) — The unjust commonly endeavour by all means to attach people to themselves: but God, in the end, turns their counsels against themselves. (Worthington)

2 Samuel 16:34

CHAPTER XVI.