Y² J 15:1-13. Rebellion made
K L 15:14-37. David. Departure.
M 16:1-14. Mephibosheth. Ziba. Shimei.
N 16:15-17:23. Jerusalem. Absalom's entry.
J 17:24-19:8. Rebellion quelled.
K L 19:9-15. David. Return.
M 19:16-30. Mephibosheth. Shimei. Ziba.
N 19:31-43. Jerusalem. David re-entry.
J l n 1-6-. Machinations. Treason (secret).
o -6. Their success. "
m 7,8. Request. Departure of Absalom.
m 9. Permission. "
l n 10-12. Machinations. Treason (open).
o 13. Their success. "934 B.C.
2 Samuel 15)
1: And it came to pass after this (cp. Ps.3 and Chapters 15-18. David was now 56, Absalom 24, Solomon 6), that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses (a sign of his pride [Deut.17:16,20]), and fifty men to run before him. (To clear the way. Mark of royalty or dignity. [Still done in Cairo]. Cp. 1 Sam.8:11. 1 Kings 1:5. 18:46. We will see Satan working in David's own house)
2: And Absalom used to rise 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 Absalom called to him, and said, “Of what city are you?” And he said, “Your servant is of one of the tribes of Israel.” (He is on an ego trip. Setting himself up as king. Traitorous! Falsely winning over the People)
3: And Absalom said to him, “See, your matters are good and right (i.e. plea, cause, or suit); but there is no one deputed of the king to hear you.” (He's playing good-ole-boy)
4: Absalom said moreover, “Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which has any suit or cause might come to me, and I would do him justice!” (There is no record that David judged falsely. This man has become a gold-bricker)
5: And it was so, that when any one came near to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him.
6: And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment:
so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel. (Fig., put for affections and adhesion. People will listen to a liar and even believe him when they know it is a lie)
7: And it came to pass in the 40th year (i.e. from David's anointing [1 Sam.16:13]: i.e. 974-934 B.C.), that Absalom said to the king, “I pray you, let me go and pay my solemn vow to the Lord, in Hebron (where he was born, and had friends. This is a lie. He had nothing to do with Yahaveh)
8: For your servant made a solemn vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria (He's still lying. See 12:11), saying, ‘If the Lord shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the Lord.’ ”
9: And the king said to him, “Go in peace.” So he arose, and went to Hebron.
10: But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, “As soon as you all hear the sound of the trumpet (cp. the 6th trump of Rev.), then you all shall say, ‘Absalom reigns in Hebron.’ ” (Is Jonadab still advising?)
11: And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing. (The secret of the mission was kept from them)
12: And Absalom sent and called for Ahithophel (= brother of foolishness. David's counselor. Cp. Ps.41:9; 55:13. See "Uriah", 11:3) the Gilonite, David's counselor, from his city (cp. Josh.15:51), even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the People increased continually with Absalom (cp. Ps.3:1. He's winning the People over).
13: And there came a messenger to David, saying, “The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.”
L p¹ 14-22. Adherents. (Ittai).
q¹ 23. Weeping of country.
p² 24-29. Adherents. (Zadock and sons).
q² 30. Weeping of David.
p³ 31-. Defection. (Ahithophel).
q³ -31. Prayer of David.
p4 33-37. Adherents. (Hushai).
14: And David said to all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, “Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not else escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword” (Fig., put for its inhabitants. David is on the run again).
15: And the king's servants said to the king, “Behold, your servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall choose.” (i.e. fight or go with you)
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. (These are his wives)
17: And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off (Heb. Beth-hammehah. Probably a proper name).
18: And all his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites (From Gath, the city of Goliath, now David's choicest followers. Foreigners in David's service. Not Israelites), six hundred (#600 = warfare) men which came after him from Gath, passed on before the king.
19: Then said the king to Ittai (= with the lord) the Gittite, Why do you go also with us? return to your place, and abide with the king: for you are a foreigner, and also an exile.
20: Whereas you came but yesterday, should I this day make you go up and down with us? seeing I go to which place I may, return you, and take back your brethren: loving-kindness (or grace) and truthfulness be with you.” (the Sept. reads "Yehovah will deal with you in loving-kindness and faithfulness")
21: And Ittai answered the king, and said, “As the Lord lives, and as my lord the king lives, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will your servant be.” (Loyalty will sometimes come from strangers)
22: And David said to Ittai, “Go and pass over.” And Ittai the Gittite passed over, and all his men, and all the little ones that were with him. (i.e. they stayed with David)
23: And all the country (i.e. all the country around him, country, put by Fig. for the people) wept with a loud voice, and all the People passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron (Due east of the East Gate in front of the Mount of Olives), and all the People passed over, toward the way of the wilderness.
24: And lo Zadok also, and all the Levites were with him, bearing the Ark of the covenant of God (= ha-Elohim [with art.] = the triune 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 to Zadok (the just), “Carry back the Ark of God into the city: if I shall find favor in the eyes of the Lord (God's grace is the basis of all blessings. Cp. Num.14:8. Deut.10:15. 2 Sam.22:20. 1 Kings 10:9. 2 Chron.9:8. Ps.18:19; 41:11; 86:2. Acts 7:46), He will bring me again, and show me both it, and His habitation: (this proves he believes in our Father all the way. He knew his own son couldn't overpower God)
26: But if he thus say, ‘I have no delight in you;’ behold, here am I, let Him do to me according as seems good unto Him.”
27: The king said also to Zadok the priest, “Are not you a seer? (= a prophet) return into the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz your son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar. (He's putting some spies along with the Ark. Covert activity. Sometimes you have to be more subtle than the serpent)
28: See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until there come word from you to certify me.” (i.e. see what God has to say)
29: Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the Ark of God again to Jerusalem: and they tarried there.
30: And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet (= place of olives. Name due to the Vulg. Oliveti in Acts 1:12), and wept as he went up (cp. Luke 19:41), and had his head covered (sign of self-condemnation), and he went barefoot (symbol of mourning. Isa.20:2,4. Ezek.24:7): and all the People that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.
31: And one told David (the news comes when the trial was greatest. Cp. Ps.41:9 and 55:12-14), saying, “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.”
And David said, “O Lord, I pray you, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.” (Cp. Ps.41; 55; 69; 109)
32: And it came to pass, that when David was come to the top of the mount (doubtless a high place where God was worshiped. Nob was near where the Tabernacle once stood), where he worshiped God, behold, Hushai (= hasting. David's friend. Cp. v.37; 16:16. 1 Chron.27:33) the Archite (probably = a native of Archi, on frontier of Benjamin and Ephraim) came to meet him with his long tunic with sleeve tore, and earth upon his head:
33: to whom David said, “If you pass on with me, then you shall be a burden to me:
34: But if you return to the city, and say to Absalom, ‘I will be your servant, O king; as I have been your father's servant up to this time, so will I now also be your servant:’ then may you for me defeat the counsel of Ahithophel. (Covert activity by God and His servant)
35: And have you not there with you Zadok and Abiathar the priests? therefore it shall be, that what thing soever you shall hear out of the king's house, you shalt tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests. (They will get word to David. His contact there. Covert activity is ok, IF to protect the Word of God)
36: Behold, they have there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz Zadok's son, and Jonathan Abiathar's son; and by them you all shall send to me every thing that you all can hear.
37: So Hushai David's friend came into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem.