2Sa 15:1 And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.
And it came to pass - After the reconciliation of David and Absalom, and the latter was admitted to court again: How long after Absalom's return these events occurred we are not told.
Absalom prepared him chariots and horses - to make himself look grand and respectable among the people.
fifty men to run before him - which added to his pomp and magnificence. This was assuming the state and equipage of a prince. This was tacitly setting himself up for king. Kings in later time have done the same. Nero the Roman emperor never went on a journey with less than a thousand calashes or chariots, and a great number of men that ran before him. There was properly now no competitor in his way: Amnon, David's first-born, was dead. Of Chileab, his second son by Abigail, we hear nothing; and Absalom was the third: 2 Sam 3:2-3 And sons were born to David in Hebron. And his first-born was Amnon, the son of Ahinoam of Jezreel. And his second was Chileab, of Abigail of Carmel, the former wife of Nabal. And the third was Absalom, the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur. He, therefore, seemed to stand nearest to the throne; but his sin was, that he sought it during his father's life, and endeavored to dethrone him in order to sit in his stead. This course he knew would draw the eyes of the people to him, and make them conclude that David intended him for his successor.
2Sa 15:2 And Absalom rose 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 unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel.
Absalom rose up early - Every morning, to show how diligent and industrious he should be, and closely apply himself to business; this he did to ingratiate himself into the affections of the people: Public business was always transacted early in the morning, the kings sitting an hour or more to hear causes or receive petitions, in a court held anciently, and in many places still, in the open air at the city gateway. Perhaps due to the occupation of his government with foreign wars, many private causes had long lain undecided, and a deep feeling of discontent prevailed among the people. This dissatisfaction was artfully fomented by Absalom, who addressed himself to the various suitors; and after briefly hearing their tale, he gratified everyone with a favorable opinion of his case.
stood beside the way of the gate - either of the king's palace, or of the city, where courts are held.
2Sa 15:3 And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee.
thy matters are good and right – Upon some very slight hearing of their cause, he approved it, that he might oblige all. He says their cause is a good cause, and if it could be heard by proper persons there is no doubt but things would go on their side. Perhaps true or perhaps just said to gain the good will of the people.
but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee – implying that the king has grown old and his sons are negligent, and do not attend to business or are corrupted, and there are none besides them appointed to hear causes; and he suggested, as appears by what follows, that he was not in commission, but if he was, or should he appointed a judge, he would attend to business, and people should not go away after this manner, without having justice administered unto them,
2Sa 15:4 Absalom said moreover, Oh 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!
2Sa 15:5 And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him.
when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance - To pay his respects, and bow to him, as being the king's son, a prince of the blood, and heir to the crown, as was supposed:
2Sa 15:6 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.
Stole the hearts - deceived them, for so the same phrase means Gen 31:20 And Jacob deceived the heart of Laban the Syrian, in that he did not tell him that he fled. Gen 31:26 And Laban said to Jacob, What have you done, that you have deceived my heart and carried away my daughters as captives taken with the sword? He won over the affections of the people in a private and clandestine manner, and robbed the king of them, who had the best right unto them.
2Sa 15:7 And it came to pass after forty years, that Absalom said unto the king, I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto the LORD, in Hebron.
Hebron - This, as having been the old capital of David's kingdom and Absalom's birthplace, was well chosen. It was a natural center, had probably many inhabitants discontented at the transfer of the government to Jerusalem, and contained many of the friends of Absalom's youth. As the place of his birth, it afforded a plausible pretext for holding there the great sacrificial feast which Absalom pretended to have vowed to hold to the glory of God. This is where David was anointed king. It is about twenty miles from Jerusalem, and was at a proper distance to lay the scene of his conspiracy in.
my vow, which I have vowed unto the Lord--during his exile in Geshur. The purport of it was, that whenever God's providence should pave the way for his re-establishment in Jerusalem, he would offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving. Hebron was the spot selected for the performance of this vow, ostensibly as being his native place, and a famous high place, where sacrifices were frequently offered before the temple was built; but really as being in many respects the most suitable for the commencement of his rebellious enterprise. David, who always encouraged piety and desired to see religious engagements punctually performed, gave his consent and his blessing.
And it came to pass after forty years – Some versions have forty years (KJV, NASB, NKJV) while others (NIV, ESV) have four years. The word for forty "arbaim" is similar to the word for four "arba". Given that the NASB and NIV supposedly used the same Hebraic text to translate from, it is interesting that they differ in this instance. The number forty is altogether unsuitable, as it cannot possibly be understood either as relating to the age of Absalom or to the year of David's reign: for Absalom was born at Hebron after David had begun to reign, and David only reigned forty years and a half in all, and Absalom's rebellion certainly did not take place in the last few weeks of his reign. If forty years is correct, this could be from the change of the government, into a monarchy, which was about ten years before David began to reign. So this fell out about the thirtieth year of his reign. If four years is correct, Absalom stayed three years with his grandfather at Geshur, and this probably was a year after his return: the era, therefore, may be the time of his slaying his brother Amnon; and the four years include the time from his flight till the conspiracy mentioned here.
2Sa 15:8 For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the LORD shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD.
I will serve the Lord - it is questionable whether he ever made a vow to this purpose, or concerned himself about serving the Lord or if this was a lie of his, now framed in order to get leave of the king to go to Hebron. It is likely he pretended to be a strict follower of Jehovah and now desires liberty to go and perform a vow at Hebron, which he pretends to have made while he was resident at Geshur. And all this was the more perfectly to organize his system of rebellion against his father.
2Sa 15:9 And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron.
Go in peace – Note the irony. Abasalom went in peace with intention to destroy peace and rebel against his father.
2Sa 15:10 But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron.
Absalom sent spies throughout all the land of Israel - To sound the minds of the people towards him, to plant things into their minds in favor of him, and to use every opportunity of currying their favor towards him.
the sound of the trumpet - As the summons was to be made by the sound of trumpets, it is probable that care had been taken to have trumpeters stationed on the heights, and at convenient stations--a mode of announcement that would soon spread the news over all the country of his inauguration to the throne. The trumpet was probably used as a kind of telegraph by the spies: trumpet exciting trumpet from place to place; so that, in a few minutes all Israel would hear the proclamation.
2Sa 15:11 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.
they went in their simplicity - having no thought of disloyalty and rebellion.
Absalom went two hundred men - These were probably soldiers, whom he supposed would be of considerable consequence to him.
2Sa 15:12 And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counsellor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.
Sent for Ahithophel - When Absalom got him, he in effect got the prime minister of the kingdom to join him.
for the people increased continually with Absalom - being drawn to him by the comeliness of his person, his affable behavior, the pomp and magnificence in which he appeared, and he the king's eldest son, and so heir to the crown; whereas it might begin to be rumored about, that David designed Solomon, a son of Bathsheba, a young prince, to be his successor.
the conspiracy was strong--The rapid accession of one place after another in all parts of the kingdom to the party of the insurgents, shows that deep and general dissatisfaction existed at this time against the person and government of David. The remnant of Saul's partisans, the unhappy affair of Bathsheba, the overbearing insolence and crimes of Joab, negligence and obstruction in the administration of justice--these were some of the principal causes that contributed to the success of this widespread insurrection.
2Sa 15:13 And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.
the hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom - to make him king.
2Sa 15:14 And David said unto 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.
And smite the city - David's kind nature induced him to spare Jerusalem the horrors of a siege, and the risk of being taken by assault. He had no standing army with which to resist this sudden attack from so unexpected a quarter. Possibly too he remembered Nathan's prophecy 2Sa 12:10-12 And therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised Me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife. So says the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against you out of your own house, and I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor. And he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun. For you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel and before the sun.
Arise let us flee - Jerusalem, far from not being in a state to sustain a siege, was so strong that even the blind and the lame were supposed to be a sufficient defense for the walls. And he had still with him his faithful Cherethites and Pelethites; besides six hundred faithful Gittites, who were perfectly willing to follow his fortunes. There does not appear any reason why such a person, in such circumstances, should not act on the defensive; at least till he should be fully satisfied of the real complexion of affairs. But he appears to take all as coming from the hand of God; therefore he humbles himself, weeps, goes barefoot, and covers his head! He does not even hasten his departure, for the habit of mourners is not the habit of those who are flying before the face of their enemies. He sees the storm, and he yields to what he conceives to be the tempest of the Almighty.
Let us flee - For though the fort of Zion was strong, and he might have defended himself there; yet he had not laid in provisions for a long siege; and, if he had been once besieged there, Absalom would have got speedy possession of his whole kingdom; whereas if he marched abroad, he might raise a considerable army for his defense. Besides, the greatest part of Jerusalem could not be well defended against him.
2Sa 15:15 And the king's servants said unto the king, Behold, thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint.
2Sa 15:16 And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, which were concubines, to keep the house.
the king left ten women, which were concubines - to keep the house, not to defend it, which they were unable to do, but to look after the household; this seems to be ordered by the overruling providence of God, to bring about what was threatened, Sa2 12:11; and it is much he had not thought of it; but it was hid from his eyes, that it might be fulfilled.
2Sa 15:17 And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off.
tarried at a place that was afar off - when they had got at some distance from the city, they stopped and stayed a while; it could not be a great way from it, for they had not as yet passed over the brook Kidron, Sa2 15:23.
2Sa 15:18 And all his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men which came after him from Gath, passed on before the king.
all the Gittites, six hundred men-- Or rather strangers, as Ittai their head is called, Sa2 15:19, and they are called his brethren, Sa2 15:20. These were a body of foreign guards, natives of Gath, whom David, when in the country of the Philistines, had enlisted in his service, and kept around his person. Philistines by birth, born in the city or territory of Gath, as the following words imply, who by David's counsel, and example, were won to embrace the true religion, and had given good proof of their military skill, and valour, and fidelity to the king.
all his servants passed on beside him - Or at his hand or side; his household servants walking perhaps some on one side of him, and some on the other, see Sa2 16:6.
2Sa 15:19 Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Wherefore goest thou also with us? return to thy place, and abide with the king: for thou art a stranger, and also an exile.
abide with the king - with Absalom, who set himself up for king, and whom the people perhaps had proclaimed as such in Hebron, where the conspiracy began:
for thou art a stranger, and also an exile - not a native of Israel, but of another nation, and at a distance from it, and therefore not altogether under the same obligations to attend David in his troubles as others were.
2Sa 15:20 Whereas thou camest 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.
Thou camest but yesterday - Meaning, "Thou art not a native Israelite, but only a sojourner for a few years, it is not reason therefore that thou shouldst share my calamities. Return to thy place, thy adopted home Jerusalem, and to the king, Absalom". The other possible meaning is below.
Thou camest but yesterday - From Gath, or from an expedition he and his men had been on:
go up and down with us - wander up and down from place to place with David, when he was but just come off a journey, weary and fatigued:
Mercy and truth be with thee - Since I am now unable to recompense thy kindness and fidelity to me, my hearty prayer to God is “may God ever show thee mercy, as thou showest it to me, and his truth ever preserve thee from error and delusion”.
2Sa 15:21 And Ittai answered the king, and said, As the LORD liveth, and as my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will thy servant be.
in what place my lord the king shall be - signifying that he would attend him wherever he went, hazard his life in his cause, and live and die with him. Ittai replied with a solemn oath.
2Sa 15:22 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.
David said unto Ittai, go, and pass over - It being his resolution to abide with him, he urged him no more to depart, but bid him pass over the brook Kidron before him:
2Sa 15:23 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, toward the way of the wilderness.
all the country wept with a loud voice - The people that came out of the country villages round about, upon the report of the king's leaving Jerusalem, because of his son's conspiracy against him; these wept when they saw him in the circumstances in which he was, obliged to fly from a rebellious son:
the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron - a winter torrent that flows through the valley between the city and the eastern side of the Mount of Olives. This same brook the Messiah, David’s antitype, passed a little before his sufferings and death John 18:1 Having spoken these words, Jesus went out with His disciples over the winter stream Kidron, where there was a garden. He and His disciples entered into it.
2Sa 15:24 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.
all the Levites were with him - with Zadok.
bearing the ark of the covenant of God - these were the Kohathite Levites, whose business it was to bear the ark when carried from place to place, Num 3:31; called the ark of the covenant, because the law which was the covenant between God and the people, was put into it:
Bearing the ark - The priests knew that God had given the kingdom to David; they had no evidence that he had deposed him: they therefore chose to accompany him, and take the ark, the object of their charge, with them.
Abiathar went up - who was the high priest, and whose business it was to attend the ark, and inquire before it, as occasion required; he went up very probably to the Mount of Olives, later mentioned, Sa2 15:30,
until all the people had done passing out of the city - for from the top of that mountain he could see the city of Jerusalem, and the people as they passed out of it, and observe when they were all come out, or however ceased coming, and so knew when it was a proper time to march forward.
2Sa 15:25 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 both it, and his habitation:
carry back the ark of God into the city - But as he could not doubt that both the ark and their sacred office would exempt them from the attacks of the rebels, he sent them back with it--not only that they might not be exposed to the perils of uncertain wandering, but that, by remaining in Jerusalem, they might render him greater service by watching the enemy's movements.
carry back the ark of God into the city - being carried back it would fall into the hands of the conspirators; and now the priests were with it to take care of it, and there might be occasion to inquire at it before the Lord; but David thought it being a sacred thing would not be violated by Absalom and his men, and that it would be safest in its own habitation or tabernacle, which David had built for it.
Carry back the ark - David shows here great confidence in God, and great humility. The ark was too precious to be exposed to the dangers of his migrations; he knew that God would restore him if he delighted in him, and he was not willing to carry off from the city of God that without which the public worship could not be carried on. He felt, therefore, more for this public worship and the honor of God, than he did for his own personal safety.
If I find favour in the eyes of Jehovah - Thus David put his fate in believing confidence into the hand of the Lord, because he felt that it was the Lord who was chastising him for his sons through this rebellion.
2Sa 15:26 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.
behold, here am I - his humble servant, ready to be, and do and suffer whatever is his pleasure:
But if he thus say, I have no delight in thee - As a king, or in his temporal prosperity, though he might have delight in him as a chosen vessel of salvation, as a saint and child of God, and in his spiritual and everlasting welfare:
2Sa 15:27 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, Ahimaaz thy son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar.
Art not those a seer - the sense would be, "Art thou not a seer? therefore go back to the city, and observe, and certify me of what thou seest" Sa2 15:28. A seeing, discerning, or observing man:
Art not those a seer - A prophet, as well as a priest; see 1Sa 9:9; or a seeing, knowing, man; one that can penetrate into men and things, and so might be of more service to David at Jerusalem than with him: wherefore he said to him:
your two sons with you - Ahimaaz and Jonathan; the one was of the line of Eleazar, and the other of the line of Ithamar. It appears also, that he wished these priests, by means of their sons, Ahimaaz the son of Zadok, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar, to send him frequent intelligence of the motions and operations of the enemy.
2Sa 15:28 See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until there come word from you to certify me.
until there come word from you to certify me - of the truth of the conspiracy, of the number of the conspirators, and who they are, what progress they have made, whether come to Jerusalem, and how they behave there, if come; or of anything relative hereunto he could get intelligence of.
2Sa 15:29 Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem: and they tarried there.
2Sa 15:30 And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.
His head covered - the sign of deep mourning. The humility and resignation of David marked strongly his sanctified spirit, induced by contrition for his transgressions. He had fallen, but it was the fall of the upright; and he rose again, submitting himself meekly in the meantime to the will of God.
And David went up by the ascent of Mount Olivet - So called from the olive trees that grew upon it, which is often mentioned in the New Testament, and where our Lord Jesus Christ, the antitype of David, often was, in his state of humiliation, Mat 26:30, and from whence he ascended to heaven after his resurrection, Act 1:12; it was about a mile from Jerusalem, to the east of it:
wept as he went up - thinking perhaps of the wickedness and rebellion of his son, of his own hard case, to be obliged to quit his metropolis and palace, and make his flight afoot; and perhaps also of his own sins, which were the cause of his calamities:
and he went barefoot - in token of mourning also, and like one forlorn, and going into captivity, see Isa 20:2,
all the people that was with him covered every man his head - as David did, and in imitation of him, and sympathizing with him; and which was sometimes done when men were ashamed and confounded, Jer 14:3,
2Sa 15:31 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.
turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness - either suffer him to give foolish counsel, or confound the schemes projected by him, and let them not be carried into execution; David prays not against Ahithophel's person, but against his counsel.
2Sa 15:32 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:
where he worshipped God - by prayer and praise; here very probably he composed and sung the third psalm Psalms 3:1 A Psalm of David, when he fled from his son Absalom. O Lord, how my foes have increased! Many are the ones who rise up against me.
Hushai the Archite--A native of Archi, on the frontiers of Benjamin and Ephraim (Jos 16:2).
2Sa 15:33 Unto whom David said, If thou passest on with me, then thou shalt be a burden unto me:
then thou shalt be a burden to me - being maintained by him; and David having but scanty provisions. It appears that Hushai was not a warrior, but was a wise, prudent, and discreet man, who could well serve David by gaining him intelligence of Absalom's conspiracy; and he directs him to form a strict confederacy with the priests Zadok and Abiathar, and to make use of their sons as couriers between Jerusalem and David's place of retreat.
2Sa 15:34 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.
say unto Absalom, I will be thy servant - David directs him to address him thus, that he might have no suspicion of him, having been an old friend of his:
then mayest thou for me defeat the counsel of Ahithophel - for being taken into Absalom's service, and made one of his counsellors, he would be privy to the advice of Ahithophel, and so be able to work against him. Comparing the prayer against Ahithophel with the counsel to Hushai, we see how strongly a spirit of fervent piety was combined in his character with the devices of an active and far-seeing policy.
2Sa 15:35 And hast 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.
thou shalt tell it to Zadok and Abiathar - David then commissioned him to communicate to the priests Zadok and Abiathar all that he should hear of the king's house, and send word to him through their sons.
2Sa 15:36 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.
2Sa 15:37 So Hushai David's friend came into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem.
Absalom came into Jerusalem - It is probable that he and his partisans were not far from the city when David left it, and this was one reason which caused him to hurry his departure.
