2 Samuel 16
PATnans, he observes, (lib. ii. de Vestitu Sacerd. Hebr. cap. 2. sect. 13, 14.) which may incline us to a belief, that Hushai was no mean man, but a person of quality.. t adultery committed with Bath-sheba; as, in the first, he might have to the killing of Uriah.
2 Samuel 16:1
JjlND when David was a little past the top of the hill. viz. Mount Olivet, (xv. 30.) Behold, Ziba, the servant of Mephibosheth, met him, with a couple of asses saddled, and upon them two hundred loaves of bread, and a hundred bunches of raisins, and a hundred of summer-fruits, and a bottle of wine.] They put their wine into bottles, or bags, some of which were large vessels, and contained a great deal of wine. Such, no doubt, was this, which had liquor in it, proportionable to the rest of the present.
2 Samuel 16:2
And the king said unto Ziba, What meanest thou by these? And Ziba said, Tlie asses are for the king’s house hold to ride on.* For his wives and children, if they were weary with travelling on foot; as they now did. And the bread and summer-fruits for the young men to eat.] For the, refreshment of the king’s attendants. And the wine, that such as be faint hi the wilderness fnay drink.] This argues great consideration of David’s condition: to which he suited his present; which in a wilderness came very seasonably, and w r as very noble.‘Perhaps the bunches of raisins were intended for David’s own support. Ver. 3; And the king said, And where is thy master’s, soil?] He desired, I suppose, to know whether this present was from himself, or from Mephibosheth. And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he abideth at Jerusalem: for he said, To-day shall the house of Israel rtistbrq me the kingdom of my father.] This seems to be a fiction; but well contrived: for the family of David being so broken, he might think it probable the crown would fall to him.
2 Samuel 16:4
Tlien said the king to Ziba, Behold, thine are all that pertained unto Mephibosheth. We read.ix. 2. that Ziba was but a servant (see there), but now David makes him a freeholder; giving him a great estate: which,’.if.he said true, was forfeited to the king for treason, as it had been before in the time of Ish-bosheth, and thereupon given to Mephibosheth. But in this David seems to have been too credulous, and rashly condemned Mephibosheth before he heard what he could say for himself: but he imagined, perhaps, that Ziba durst not tell so notorious a lie, which might shortly be disproved. And beside, a man that comes to relieve another who is in great distress, easily wins his good opinion. And Ziba said, J humbly beseech thee that I may find grace in thy sight, my lord, O king.] He pretends to value the king’s favour more than the gift he had bestowed upon him…
2 Samuel 16:5
And when king David came to Bahurim. A<)ity in the tribe of Benjamin, (xix. 16.) into the territories of which David was now come: though not as yet, into/the town itself, as appears from ver. 14. The Targum calls it Almoth; which is of the same signification with Bahurim; the one importing young men, and the other youth. Behold, thence came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera: he came forth, and cursed still as he went.] Out of an inveterate haired to David; whom he looked upon as the great enemy of his family.
2 Samuel 16:6
And he cast stones at David. In contempt of him. Or, as some fancy, to reproach him with. the adultery he had committed; for which he deserved to have been stoned. And at all the servants of king David.] This shews it was done only in contempt of them: as if they had been a, company of dogs. And all the people, and all the mighty men, were on his right hand and on his left.] He was under such a strong. guard, that Shimei’s rage was little less than madness:..for he could not hurt David, but might have been immediately killed himself.
2 Samuel 16:7
And thus said Shimei, when he cursed, Came out, come out. As much as if he had said, Get thee out of the kingdom; from whence thou deservesttobe expelled, So the words arc in the Hebrew, Go out, go out: the doubling of which words expresses his vehement detestation of him. Thotl man of blood, thou son of Belial.] So they called all those that made their will their law. But B.. Levi ben Gersom thinks he hath respect in these last words, to the
2 Samuel 16:8
TJie Lord hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul. This was perfect railing: for David had shed none of their blood; but he maliciously imputes to him the death of Abner, and of Ish-bosheth. In tvhose stead thou hast reigned.] In effect, he callshim an usurper. And the Lord hath delivered thy kingdom into theJtand of Absalom thy son: and, behold, thou art taken in thy mischief because thou art a bloody man.’] He still vomits out the same reproaches, with a most wicked spirit, which the Greeks call i7rtx<up^aK(a, rejoicing in iniquity,\ to sec Absalom so prosperous in his horrid rebellion.
2 Samuel 16:9
Then said Abishai, the son of Zeruiah, unto the king,Wliy should this dead dog curse my lord the king?. See iii. 8. Let me go over, I pray thee, and take off his head.] There was admirable discipline observed in this small army, none of which durst stir without David’s order or leave. And this, according to human reason, was a just motion which Abishai made; he being very near of kin to David, as Shimei was to Saul; and therefore a fit person to stop the mouth of such a mad dog, by cutting off his head.
2 Samuel 16:10
And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons ofZeruiah?. He speaks this with some indignation; and reflects upon Joab, as well as Abishai, who had been the occasion ofthese reproaches. So let him enrse, because the Lord hath said unto him, Curse David.] God neither bade him curse David, nor excited him to it; but finding his heart full of malice and rage, gave him an opportunity to vent it, as a punishment unto David. Unto which the good king humbly submits; looking-upon it as coming from the hand of God, who delivered him up to this contempt. And in this David’s virtue was admirable; for it is not an easy thing to stifle all motions to revenge, when it is easy to take it, and there is a high provocation to it. It is an observation, indeed, of Cicero’s (Orat. de Auruspicum Responses), that." perditi hominis profligatique maledictis, nullius gloria dignitasque violatur;"• by the reproaches of a tvicked, profligate fellow, no man’s glory or dignity is hurt or violated. But David doth not scorn these curses, out of mere greatness of spirit, as coming out of the mouth of a base wretch, not worthy to be regarded; but acknowledges the justice of them, and bears them with a singular patience, out of humility and reverence to God, who had so ordered it. Who shall then say, Why hast thou done so?] He doth not mean, who should ask Shimei such a question, but who should take upon him to find fault with God, who had just reason to suffer this? Though Grotius thinks David excuses Shimei in these words. For, speaking concerning the respect that is to be used to kings, in not giving them public reproaches, he excepts those which are given by a prophet, who had a special command from God for it. Upon which account he saith, when David was openly upbraided by Shimei as a murderer, he had no excuse to make for him but this, that perhaps, God had commanded him to do it; shewing that this alone could make it lawful to speak evil of the king, if God, in a special manner, enjoined it. (Lib. delmperio Summar. Potest, circa sacra, cap. 9. sect. 19.) •.
2 Samuel 16:11
And David said unto. Abishai,, and to all his servants. Behold, my son, which came forth of, my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more may this Benjamite do it? Let him alone, and let him curse; for the Lord hath bidden him.] His passion seems not tobave been at all stirred by this impotent railer, and endeavours to quiet the spirits of others, calmly reasoning himself and them, with admirable consideration, into an humble patience: for what were the revilings of a stranger to the murderous intention? of a son? And how. could he withstand God, who inflicted this punishment upon him for his sins?.,
2 Samuel 16:12
It. may. be. the Lord will look upon my affliction, and that the Lord will requite me good for his cursing this day. He durst not be confident, being conscious of his ill deservings; but he had some hope, that God would be as gracious to him as this man was malicious. t
2 Samuel 16:13
And as David and his men went by the way. Taking no notice of him.. Shimei went along onAhe side of the hill over against him, and cursed as he.went, and threw stones at him, and cast dust.] Neglect of him - made him -more outrageous: which gave David occasion to exercise the greater patience under so long a vexation.
2 Samuel 16:14
And the king, and all the people thatwere xvith him, came.weary. Not only with their journey, but with grief. And refreshed themselves there.] At Bahurim, (ver.. 5.)
2 Samuel 16:15
And Absalom, and all the people of the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him. As, soon as David was got into the wilderness, he took possession of Jerusalem, and the king’s palace. Ver. 1G. A?id it came to pass, that when Hushai the Archite, David’s friend, tvas come unto Absalom.] Among others that came to welcome him to Jerusalem. That Hushai said unto Absalom, God save the king, God save the king.] He notonly owned his authority, but with great affection seemed to desire its countenance. Which was an egregious piece of flattery and dissimulation.
2 Samuel 16:17
And Absalom said, Is this thy kindness to thy friend? tvhy wentest thou not.tvith thy friend?. Absalom had not, so little sense as not to consider, that no man ought to forsake a friend in.his distress: though at the same time he did not refleot, how he had not only forsaken, but forced away his own father. So that one might have said to him, Is this thy duty to thy father?
2 Samuel 16:18
And Hushai said unto Absalom, Nay; but whom the Lord, and this people, and all the men of Israel choose, his will I be, and with him will I abide. The voice of the people he pretends to look upon as the voice of God; and that he was bound to prefer the public good before his own private obligations or affections.
2 Samuel 16:19
And again, whom should I serve? should I not serve in the presence of his son? As I have served in the presence of thy father, so will I be in thy presence. He, gives a second reason; that he should not offend against David,’ in giving good counsel to his son.
2 Samuel 16:20
Tlieh said Absalom to Ahithophel, Give counsel among you what we shall do. I suppose Ahithophel was made president of the council (as we now speak), who required the rest.to deliver their opinions after he had delivered his.,
2 Samuel 16:21
And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Go in unto CHAP. XVII. THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. thy father’s concubines, which he hath left to keep the house.’] It appears by this he was a profane politician, who did not regard by what means, how wicked soever, he compassed his ends. The Hebrews. think, also, that by this counsel Ahithophel gratified his own revenge, because David had lain with his grand-daughter; as I before noted. And all Israel shall hear that thou art abhorred of thy fatlier.] That he and his father were become irreconcilable enemies. For Ahithophel involved him in a greater sin than that for which he killed Amnon: it not being so foul a crime to lie with his sister, as it was to commit incest with his father’s wives. TJien shall the hands of all tliat are ivith thee be strong.’] When they were possessed with an opinion, that the father and son could never come to an accommodation. Which might have been hoped between such near relations; and then the people had been in an ill condition: for David might not have been reconciled to them, though he was to his son. But after this detestable crime there was no likelihood that they would ever be friends again.
2 Samuel 16:22
So they spread Absalom a tent upon the top of the house; and Absalom went in unto his father s concubines in the sight of all Israel. AVho were strangely depraved, in that none of them should cry out against such abominable wickedness.
2 Samuel 16:23
And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was as if a man had inquired at the oracle of God. It was so sure and safe, that it was commonly followed, without any doubting of the success. Such was this counsel which he now gave: for there was no greater danger to him and all Israel, than for Absalom to repent, and submit to his father: therefore he endeavoured, as I said, to make them irreconcilable, by doing his father the highest injury. Such was this to which he advised, as wc learn by Jacob’s resentment of it in his son Reuben, and many other examples, for which I refer to Grotius. He made the breach therefore thus wide, that it might never be healed: for if it had, David might have called him and others, in due time, to an account for their treason. So was all the counsel of Ahithophel, both xvith David and with Absalom.] While David was in prosperity he gave him faithful counsel: but now in his distress as wisely consulted his ruin. For, as Procopius Gazeeus observes, " accommodavit se rebus praesentibus:" he was one of those who complied with the present state of things; and now, with great reason, advised “to make haste to dispatch David: fearing lest natural affection should work a reconciliation, and he should be punished for his perfidiousness.
Unto ivhom David said, If thou pass along with me, then thou unit be a burden to me.) For he was not provided with maintenance for his own family: and Hushai, being no soldier, but a counsellor, could not be so useful to him in the field as he might be at the court.
But if thou return to the city, and say unto Absalom, I wilt be thy servant, O king. So he was to call him, because he had taken upon him that title.. As I have been thy father’s servant hitherto, so will I tiow also be thy servant.] He would have him pretend he would be as faithful to him as he had been to David; and it was very well known he had done him good service. This was not honest; but it was according to the policy practised in those days, and indeed in all ages. Which Procopius Gazseus approves so far as to say, that " a lie which is told for a’ good end, is equivalent to truth.” But I dare not justify such doctrine; though what Hushai undertook to do was not to get money, or to. do others hurt, but to preserve a good king, and a prophet, and a friend. Tlien mayest thou for me defeat the counsel of Ahithophel.] God he thought had sent this man, in answer to his prayer, (ver. 31.) if he would but follow his direction.
Hast thou riot with thee there Zadok and Abiathar the priests? therefore it shall be, that whatsoever thou shalt hear out of the king’s house, thoushalt tell it to Zadok andAbiathar the priests.] Whom he looked upon as trusty persons, and faithful to his interest: and so they proved.
Behold, they have there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz, Zadok*s son, and Jonathan, Abiathar^s son; and by them ye shall send unto me every thing that ye can hear. They were not with their fathers in Jerusalem, but lay close in a place not far off, ready to carry any message that was sent by them. • (See xvii. 17.)’
So Hushai, David’s friend, came into the city, hnd Absalom came into Jerusalem. Where Hushai, I suppose, waited for his coming: having got thither before him, and so ordered his affairs, that it was not known he had been to offer his service to David: or, those that knew it, out of reverence to him, and affection to David, did not discover it.