2 Samuel 17

nware of the danger wherein they ore; and will provide against it, that they be not easily surprised. And they be chafed in their nmids. So extremely provoked and exasperated, that it would be dangerous to fall upon them with so small an army as Ahithophel proposed. For such desperate persons would sell tli&r lives at a dear rate. As a bear robbed of her whelps in iM field.] All men know that a bear is a very fierce creature: and good authors, particularly Aristotle, observe," that’she-bears are fiercer than the male; especially when they have whelps to take care of, as the same philosopher writes, lib. vi. Hist. Animal, cap. 18. But most of all enraged, when their whelps are killed, or taken away from them; which is mentioned often in Holy Scripture, Prov. xvii. 12. Hosea xiii. 8. where Kimchi observes, that they bring forth their whelps wrapped up in a very thick skin, which it costs them a great deal of pains to free them from; and therefore grieves them more, when they find they have laboured in vain. (See Bochart, in his Hierozoicon, par. i. lib. iii. cap. 9.) And thy father is a man of war, and will not lodge with the people.’] Of such experience in warlike affairs, that as his men would defend him stoutly, and with great fury, so, when all was done, it was probable Ahithophel would not know where to find him; for great captains having disposed their force to the best advantage, and set their guards, oftentimes Vetire themselves from the camp, and lodge in some secret place. «

2 Samuel 17:1

jyJiOREOVER, Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Let me now choose out twelve thousand men. Out of the whole multitude of the Israelites that followed Absalom: a thousand choice men, I suppose, out of each tribe. For he knew it would take up too much time to gather all the forces of Israel together, and give David an opportunity to escape. And I will arise and pursue after David. ~] It seems he was a soldier as well as a counsellor: or, at least, he thought his counsel so sure of being successful, that he undertook himself to put it in’ execution^‘He was afraid; also, that if Absalom should command them himself, natu T ral affection might make him spare his fathej, and not take away his life; or perhaps work an agreement between them: and so leave him in danger, as I said before, to be’ called to an account for his rebellion. This night.] The next, I suppose, after David went away. For speed was the main thing on which he depended.

2 Samuel 17:2

And I will come upon himivhilehe is yet weary;. With a long march.. And weak-handed.’] Before he had got more forces together. And Itvill make him afraidJ] Strike a terror into him by this sudden attack; and in the night, when he was ill provided. And all the people that are with him shall flee.] Finding how unable they were to resist such a force. And I will smite the king only.] And spare all the people, whom he would not pursue.’

2 Samuel 17:3

And I will bring back all the people unto thee. By this’means he doubted not to make an end of the war presently, and to bring all Israel to be his subjects., TJie man whom thou seekest is as if all returned.] By. smiting. David, with whom alone was his quarrel, thewhole nation would come into him: there being no other; to whom they should submif when he was dead.’ So all the people shall be in peace] Thus" they should have a peace without war; by taking and killing him;, which would, preserve both the people which were with Absalom, and those with David. They should* all be. saved, and he alone destroyed.:

2 Samuel 17:4

And the saying pleased Absalom well,- and all the elders of Israel. For it was very sound advice; it being dangerous to deliberate long about such Avickcd designs; which must be executed speedily. So Tacitus well observes, " Scelera impetu, bona consilia mora valescunt;" Wicked counsels prevail by, sudden violence, but goodby delays.'

2 Samuel 17:5

Tlien said Absalom, Call now Hushai the Architq also, and let us hear likewise what he saith. It was a proverb, it is likely, before Solomon’s time, that in amultitude of counsellors there is safety: by which Absalom resolved to govern himself. But the providence of God is chiefly to be here noted; who made Absalom irresolute and doubtful, even in that counsel which was approved by aU the elders of Israel, and was, evidently, the wisest that could be given. Ver. G. Andwhen Hushai xvas come to Absalom, Absalom spake unto him, saying, Ahithophel hath spoken’after this manner.] Relating what he had said, ver. 2, 3. Shall we do after his saying?] Follow his advice. If not, speak thou.] He gives him full liberty to speak freely, if he were of another opinion; which he might de-, liver without offence, cither to him or any body else. »

2 Samuel 17:7

And Hushai said unto Absalom, Tlie counsel that Ahithophel hath given, is not good at this time. He confessed “him to be a man of extraordinary judgment; but no man is wise at all times: and he thought now he was in an error for. the following reason..;;

2 Samuel 17:8

For (said Hushai) thou knowest thy father and his men, that they be mighty meu. ’ Old soldiers, who are

2 Samuel 17:9

Behold, he is hidnmv in some pit, or in some other place. Some cave, or other lurking-place; as he was in the days of Saul, who was never able to catch him. And it shall come to pass, vohen some of them.] That is, of Absalom’s forces. Be overthrown at the first.] As might well be supposed, if David’s men should come on a sudden upon them, out of anambush, and put the first ranks into disorder, if not make a slaughter among them. That whosoever hears it will say, TJiere is a slaughter among the people that follow Absalom.] This news would presently be spread through the whole army, and fear make them think the slaughter greater than it was.

2 Samuel 17:10

And he also that is valiant, whose heart is as the heart of a lion, shall utterly melt. For men are apt to conjecture of successes by tho beginning; and it is a great encouragement to men to fight when they prosper at the first onset; and mightily disheartens those that are beaten. Lions are not only very strong, but very furious creatures; and therefore valiant men are said to have the hearts of lions, and the faces of lions, (1 Chron. xii.8.) and tho army of locusts to have the teeth of lions, (Joel i. G.) But no men are so terrible, but they may be terrified, when they are suddenly and unexpectedly surprised by men as terrible as themselves; and far more incensed and justly enraged. Vossius thinks that the word lebi, which in Hebrew signifies a lion, comes from the word leb, which in that language signifies the heart; as much as to say, Cordahis, a hearty creature, full of courage: whence the Greeks call a valiant and generous man, Sv/ioXtWa and Xcovro$v/iov.’(See him, lib. iii. de Orig.et Progr. Idol. cap. 52. and Bochartus, in his Hierozoicon, par. i. lib. iii. cap. 2.) For all Israel knoiv that thyfatlier is a mighty man, arid they that be with him are valiant men.] Who would pursue any advantage with the greatest courage and resolution.

2 Samuel 17:11

Therefore I counsel, that all Israel be generally gathered unto thee, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, even ds the sand that is by the sea in multitude. He means all the fightiflg men throughout the country, which were very numerous. In which advice, his chief aim was to gain time for David to raise an army by the help of his friends; for all Israelcould not presently be gathered together, and put into order of battle. ■ And that thou go to battle also in thy own person.] Which would encourage the people to fight valiantly, when he was at the head of them; and would win him great glory, in owing his victory to his own conduct, and not to other men’s. -

2 Samuel 17:12

And so shall we come upon him in some place where he shall be found, and we will light upon him as the dew falls upon the ground. He compares the multitude of their soldiers to the drops of dews, which cover the face of the whole earth; so that if David was in the field, he could not escape, but he would fall into the hands of some or other of them. And of him, and of all the men that are with him, there shall?wt be left so much as one.] For his army would be so large as to spread itself over* all the country, and ferret I>avid and his men out of all their holes, by searching every one of them. This counsel was very plausible to one who relied upon the greatness of a host; and Hushai was also so cufcning as to speak as if he would accom-* pany him.

2 Samuel 17:13

Moreover, if he be got into a city, then shall all Israel bring ropes to that city, and we will draw it into the river. He represents a further advantage of such a multitude; that if David quitted the field, and got into the strongest of their cities, encompassed with high walls, and a deep ditch, they were enough to begirt it round,. and, by ropes put about the walls, draw them down and all the houses of the city; into the ditch that tun about it”. There was no such thing, that we read of, practised in war; therefore some \iychabalhn (which we translate ropes) understand troops, or bands of men, who by machines drawn with ropes could batter down walls and houses: or rather, this is a bragging hyperbolical speech, that they should be so numerous as to be able to do this, if there were no other way to reduce the city. Until there be not one small stone found there.] Much less any man remaining there.

2 Samuel 17:14

And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, The counsel of Hushai is better than the counsel of Ahithophel. For so it would naturally seem to men that had a bad cause, and were cowardly, having nothing but their numbers to depend upon. For the Lord had appointed to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that God might bring evil upon Absalom:] But the chief reason was, that God blinded their eyeS, and infatuated their judgments, that they could not discern what was best, but take that course which would ruin Absalom. Such is the wonderful overruling providence of God, in more cases than wo are aware of; for, as St. Hilary speaks, concerning the rage of heretics, “Si quantum audet impietas, tantura consuleret prudentia, dif- Microsoft® CHAP, XVII.].. THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. ficile esset veritatis causam agcre;” If wickedness were as wise and prudent in counsel, as it is bold and daring in attempts, it tvould be hard to maintain a good cause. Vcr. 15., Then said Hushai to Zadok and Abiathar the priests, Thus and thus did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the elders of Israel; and thus have I counselled.] He acted the part of a true friend to David, but not of a trusty servant to Absalom, whose counsels he betrayed. Vcr. 16. Now therefore send quickly, and tell David,] Carry him this intelligence with all speed. Saying, Lodge not this night An the plain of the wilderness, but speedily. pass over.’] The river Jordan. Lest the king be swallowed up, and all the people that are with him.] For fear Absalom should change his resolution, and incline again to the counsel of Ahithophel; who being a man of great authority, might persuade him his advice was the truest.

2 Samuel 17:17

Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz stayed by En-rogel. A place near Jerusalem, (Josh. xv. 7, 8.) which the Targum translates the fuller’s well; because, as Kimchrsays, the fullers there trod their cloth with their feet; for he derives rogel from the word regel, which signifies afoot. (For they might not be seen to come into the city).] Their fathers charged them to stay in this place; because it would have been difficult to send them out of the city without being discovered. -. And a wench went and told them.] Pretending,. perhaps, to go thither to scour some clothes. And they went and told king David.] After a little stop in their way, as it here follows.

2 Samuel 17:18

Nevertheless a lad saw. them, and told Absalom. Some of whose troopers, who were scouting thereabouts (as Josephus understands it), discovered them before they had gone two furlongs. But they went both of them away quickly, and came into a man’s house in Bahnrim.] They suspected they were discovered, and therefore turned out of the public road (as Josephus explains it) and made haste to this village, and perhaps to that man’s house where David refreshed himself, (xvi. 5. 14.)..; Which had a well in his court; whither they went down.] For at that time of the year their wells in many places were dry, or had little water in them. And it would not be easily suspected that they would stay in an open court.

2 Samuel 17:19

And the woman took and spread a covering over the well’s mouth, and spread ground corn thereon. Corn newly thrashed out, which she pretended to* dry in the sun. And the thing was not knoivn.] By this means they lay undiscovered.

2 Samuel 17:20

And when Absalom’s servants. Who were sent to pursue them. Came to the woman of the house*’] For some had informed them that they had turned this way. Tliey said, Wliere is Ahimaaz and Jonathan?’] They were known persons, being the sons of the most eminent among the priests; or, perhaps, they described them to her, so that sho could not but know whether two such persons came thither, or passed that way. And the woman said unto them, They be gone over, the brook of water.] Which came, I suppose, from the fountain of En-rogel. It seems to havo been a common opinion in those days, that these officious lies, for the safety of innocent persons, had no hurt in them; for we find many instances of them, which cannot be justified. (See upon Josh. ii. 5.) And when they had sought them and could not find them, they returned to Jerusalem.] For the woman told them, as Josephus says, that they made no stay at her house; but after they had asked for a little drink, made haste away. Though if they pursued them speedily, she believed they might overtake them,

2 Samuel 17:21

And it came to pass, after they were departed, they came up out of the well, and went and told David. As soon as the pursuers were returned back to Jerusalem. And said unto David, Arise, and pass over the water: for thus hath Ahithophel counselled against you.] And they did not know but he, by his great wisdom, might overrule the counsel of Hushai (with.which/ no doubt, they also acquainted David), and persuade Ahsalom to hearken to his; and then David was in extreme danger.

2 Samuel 17:22

Tlien David arose, and all the people that were with him, and they passed over Jordan: by the morning- light there lacked not one of them that was not gone over Jordan.* By this it appears, that they passed over in the night, either at the fords, or in boats: and that not one of them miscarried in the passage, or ran away from him. Vcr. 23. Andivhen Ahithophel saw that his counselwas not followed.] Soon after Ahimaaz and Jonathan were gone to David, it publicly appeared, that the counsel of Ahithophel was rejected, and Hushai’s entertained. He saddled his ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order.] Settled his affairs, and disposed of his estate. And hanged himself] Being confident that David would get the better of Absalom; and that then he should be put to death for his treason; which made him choose to be his own executioner. So we understandit; though some of the Jews will have it that he died of grief, being choked with a quinsy. For it is not likely, they think, so wise a man as he would hang himself: but, being full of anguish, anger, and vexation (arising not merely from his pride, which enraged him to see any man’s counsel preferred to his; but to the foresight, as I said, of danger, if David prevailed, as he was sure he would), these passions cast him into so violent a distemper, that he was strangled by it. And so some interpret the word airny^aro, in Matt, xxvii. 5. And died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father.] Where perhaps he would not have had the honour to be interred, if he had been executed, by David.

2 Samuel 17:24

Then David came to Mahanaim. A place in the tribe of Gad. (Sec chap. ii. 8. of this book.) And Absalom passed over Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him.] As soon as he had gathered them together, which required some time: during which David. had opportunity to strengthen himself by gathering an army ^lso. Which was after the death of Ahithophel (who saw what delays were made by gathering Israel together, and what the consequence would be), and after relief was sent him by several persons: particularly by Shobi of the children of Ammon, (vcr. 27.) who were neighbours to this, part of the country of Israel, though at a good distance from Mahanaim.

2 Samuel 17:25

And Absalom made Amasa captain of the host instead ofJoab: which Aniasa was a man’s son whose name