2 Samuel 13:1--20:26
Absalom <053> [A.M. 2972. B.C. 1032. A. Ex. Is. 459. Absalom.]
beautiful sister <0269 03303> [a fair sister.]
Tamar <08559> [Tamar.]
love <0157> [loved her.]
frustrated <03334> [vexed.]
Amnon .................... Amnon <0550> [Amnon, etc. Heb. it was marvellous, or hidden, in the eyes of Amnon.]
friend <07453> [a friend.]
Shimeah <08093> [Shimeah.]
Shimeah <08093> [Shimeah. subtil man.]
king's <04428> [Why art.]
depressed <01800> [lean. Heb. thin. from day to day. Heb. morning by morning.]
I love.
brother <0251> [my brother.]
Lie down <07901> [Lay thee.]
make ... couple <03823 08147> [make me.]
took <03947> [she took.]
Dr. Russell says, "The Eastern ladies often wash their own hands, prepare cakes, pastry, etc. in their apartments; and some few particular dishes are cooked by themselves, but not in their apartments: on such occasions, they go to some room near the kitchen."
dough <01217> [flour. or, paste. and made cakes.]
Rather, as Mr. Parkhurst renders, "and tossed it (wattelabbaiv) in his sight, and dressed the tossed cakes (halleveevoth)." This will receive illustration from the account which Mr. Jackson gives of the Arabian manner of kneading and baking. "They have a small place built with clay, between two and three feet high, having a hole at the bottom for the convenience of drawing out the ashes, something similar to that of a brick-kiln. The oven is usually about fifteen inches wide at top, and gradually grows wider to the bottom. It is heated with wood; and when sufficiently hot, and perfectly clear from smoke, having nothing but clear embers at bottom, which continue to reflect great heat, they prepare the dough in a large bowl, and mould the cakes to the desired size on a board or stone placed near the oven. After they have kneaded the cake to a proper consistency, they pat it a little, then toss it about with great dexterity in one hand till it is as thin as they choose to make it. They then wet one side of it with water, at the same time wetting the hand and arm with which they put it into the oven."
[And Ammon.]
Come on .... bed <07901 0935> [Come lie.]
humiliate ... This <06031 03651> [force me. Heb. humble me.]
This <03651> [no such thing ought. Heb. it ought not so.]
foolish thing <05039> [folly.]
speak <01696> [Now therefore.]
humiliated .... raping <06031 07901> [forced her.]
despised her <08130 03966 01419> [hated her.]
her <03966> [exceedingly. Heb. with great hatred greatly.]
robe <03801> [a garment.]
Then .... ashes <03947 0665> [put ashes.]
put ... hands <07760 03027> [laid her.]
Amnon <0550> [Amnon. Heb. Aminon. but hold.]
seriously <07896 01697> [regard not. Heb. set not thine heart on. desolate. Heb. and desolate.]
very angry <03966 02734> [he was very wroth.]
The Septuagint and Vulgate add, [Kai ouk elupese to pneuma Amnon tou huiou autou, hoti egapa auton, hoti prototokos autou en;] et noluit contristare spiritum Amnon filii sui, quoniam diligebat eum, quia primogenitus erat ei: "But he would not grieve the soul of Amnon his son, for he loved him because he was his first-born." The same addition is found in Josephus; and it is probable that it once formed a part of the Hebrew text.
said <01696> [spake.]
good <02896> [neither good.]
hated <08130> [hated.]
sheepshearers <01494> [A.M. 2974. B.C. 1030. An. Ex. Is 461. sheep-shearers.]
invited <07121> [invited.]
king ............ king <03212 04428> [let the king.]
pressed <06555> [pressed.]
blessed <01288> [blessed.]
brother <0251> [let my brother.]
He urged this with the more plausibility because Amnon was the first-born, and presumptive heir to the crown; and he had dissembled his resentment so long and so well that he was not suspected.
Absalom <053> [Absalom.]
instructed ................................. instructions <06680> [commanded.]
<03820 02896> [heart is merry.]
instructed ....................... fear ........... instructions <03372 06680> [fear not.]
instructed ................................. instructions <06680> [have not I. or, Will you not, since I have, etc.]
<01121> [valiant. Heb. sons of valour.]
servants <05288> [servants.]
rode <07392> [gat him up. Heb. rode. mule.]
Then <06965> [arose.]
servants <05650> [all his servants.]
Jonadab <03122> [Jonadab.]
Shimeah <08093> [Shimeah.]
[Shammah. David's brother.]
This was a very bad man: he had given his cousin Amnon the most detestable advice; and here speaks coolly of a most bloody tragedy of which he had been the cause.
talked <06310> [appointment. Heb. mouth. determined. or, settled.]
lord <0113> [let not my lord.]
Absalom fled <01272 053> [Absalom fled.]
[as they servant said. Heb. according to the word of thy servant.]
wept loudly <03966 01065> [very sore. Heb. with a great weeping greatly.]
Absalom fled <01272 053> [Absalom fled.]
As Absalom had committed wilful murder, he could not avail himself of a city of refuge; but went to Talmai, king of Geshur, his maternal grandfather.
Talmai <08526> [Talmai.]
Ammihud <05991> [Ammihud. or, Ammihur.]
[A.M. 2974-2977. B.C. 1030-1027. An. Ex. Is. 461-464.]
Geshur. This was not the Geshur lying between Philistia and Egypt, (Jos 13:13. 1 Sa 27:8,) but another in Syria; probably the same as that beyond Jordan, whose inhabitants are joined with those of Maachathi, De 3:14. Jos 12:5.
king <04428> [the soul of.]
longed <03615> [longed. or, was consumed.]
consoled <05162> [comforted.]
Joab <03097> [A.M. 2977. B. C. 1027. An. Ex. Is. 464. Joab.]
Absalom <053> [toward Absalom.]
Tekoa <08620> [to Tekoah.]
Tekoah was a city of Judah, situated, according to Eusebius and Jerome, twelve miles south of Jerusalem. Josephus says it was not far from the castle of Herodium; and Jerome (Prologue to Amos) says it stood on a hill six miles south from Bethlehem. Dr. Poccocke places it at the same distance; and says there are still considerable ruins on the top of a hill, which is about half a mile long and a furlong broad.
[Tekoa. mourning.]
fashion Then ... told <07760 01697> [put the words.]
bowed ..... face <05307 0639> [fell on her.]
help <03467> [Help. Heb. Save.]
<061> [I am indeed.]
It is very possible that the principal incidents mentioned here were real; and that Joab found out a person whose circumstances bore a near resemblance to that which he wished to represent. She did not make the similitude too plain and visible, lest the king should see her intention before she had obtained a grant of pardon; and thus her circumstances, her mournful tale, her widow's dress, her aged person, (for Josephus says she was advanced in years,) and her impressive manner, all combined to make one united irresistible impression on the heart of the aged monarch.
two ..... two <08147> [and they two.]
intervene <05337> [none to part. Heb. no deliverer between.]
family <04940> [the whole.]
extinguish <03518> [so they.]
extinguish <03518> [quench.]
face .... earth <06440 0127> [upon the earth. Heb. upon the face of the earth.]
instructions <06680> [I will give.]
blame <05771> [the iniquity.]
king ..... king .................. king <04428> [and the king.]
king <04428> [let the king.]
avenger <01350> [thou, etc. Heb. the revenger of blood do not multiply to destroy. the revengers.]
Lord .......................... Lord <03068> [As the Lord.]
hair <08185> [not one hair.]
servant <08198> [Let thine.]
said ............... matter .... Tell <01697 01696> [speak one word.]
said .................. Tell <01696> [Say on.]
devised <02803> [Wherefore.]
people <05971> [people.]
king ............ king <04428> [in that the king.]
die <04191> [we must.]
water <04325> [as water.]
God <0430> [neither, etc. or, because God hath not taken away his life, he hath also devised means, etc. God.]
devises <02803> [he devise.]
security <04496> [comfortable. Heb. for rest. as an angel.]
This is very much like the hyperbolical language which is addressed by the Hindoos to an European when they desire to obtain something from him: "Saheb," say they, "can do every thing. No one can prevent the execution of Saheb's commands. Saheb is God." Though the expression may be imputed to the hyperbolical genius of these countries, yet there was, perhaps, more of real persuasion than we are apt to suppose. Sir John Chardin states, that having found fault with the king of Persia's valuation of a rich trinket, the grand master told him that if a Persian had dared to have done such a thing, it would have been as much as his life was worth. "Know," said he, "that the kings of Persia have a general and full knowledge of matters, as sure as it is extensive; and that, equally in the greatest and smallest things, there is nothing more just and sure than what they pronounce."
<08085> [to discern. Heb. to hear.]
hide ... information <03582 01697> [Hide not.]
Joab ............................................ Joab <03097> [of Joab.]
live <05315> [As thy soul.]
right <03231> [turn.]
put <07760> [he put.]
change <05437> [fetch.]
wisdom <02451> [according.]
knows <03045> [to know.]
do <06213> [I have done.]
<01288> [thanked. Heb. blessed.]
found <04672> [I have found.]
face ............. servant ........................ servant <06440 05650> [his. or, thy.]
Geshur <01650> [Geshur.]
see ............... see <07200> [let him not.]
Israel <03478> [But in all Israel, etc. Heb. And as Absalom there was not a beautiful man in all Israel to praise greatly.]
sole <03709> [from the sole.]
shave ............. shave ............ shave <01548> [when he polled.]
three pounds <08255 03967> [two hundred shekels.]
If the shekel be allowed to mean the common shekel, the amount will be utterly incredible; for Josephus says that "two hundred shekels make five {min‘:}" and the {mina,} he says, "weighs two pounds and a half;" which calculation makes Absalom's hair weigh twelve pounds and a half! But it is probable that the king's shekel was that which Epiphanius and Hesychius say was the fourth part of an ounce, half a {stater,} or two drachms: the whole amount, therefore, of the 200 shekels is about 50 ounces, which make 4 lb. 2 oz. troy weight, or 3 lb. 2 oz. avoirdupois. This need not be accounted incredible, especially as abundance of oil and ointment was used by the ancients in dressing their heads. Josephus informs us, that the Jews also put gold dust in their hair.
had <03205> [born.]
Tamar <08559> [Tamar.]
seeing ... king's <07200 04428> [A.M. 2977-2979. B.C. 1027-1025. An. Ex. Is. 464-466. and saw not.]
willing ................... willing <014> [but he would.]
to ........... adjacent <03027 0413> [near mine. Heb. near my place. go and set.]
Absalom's <053> [And Absalom's.]
better <02896> [it had been.]
am ... fault <03426> [if there.]
Absalom ........ Absalom ................ kissed <05401 053> [A.M. 2979. B.C. 1025. An. Ex. Is. 466. kissed Absalom.]
Absalom <053> [A.M. 2980. B.C. 1024. Absalom.]
get up <07925> [rose up.]
bring <0935> [came. Heb. to come.]
claims <01697> [thy matters.]
king <04428> [there is, etc. or, none will hear thee from the king downward.]
make <07760> [Oh that I.]
just settlement <06663> [I would do.]
embrace .... kiss <02388 05401> [took him.]
kiss <05401> [and kissed.]
way ... won <01589> [stole.]
four years <0705 08141> [A.M. 2983. B.C. 1021. An. Ex. Is. 470. forty years.]
As David reigned in the whole only forty years, this reading is evidently corrupt, though supported by the commonly printed Vulgate, LXX., and Chaldee. But the Syriac, Arabic, Josephus, Theodoret, the Sixtine edition of the Vulgate, and several MSS. of the same version, read four years; and it is highly probable that {arbÆ’im,} forty, is an error for {arbÆ’,} four, though not supported by any Hebrew MS. yet discovered. Two of those collated by Dr. Kennicott, however, have {yom,} "day," instead of {shanah,} "year," i.e., forty days instead of forty years; but this is not sufficient to outweigh the other authorities.
<03212> [let me go.]
repay <07999> [pay.]
I <05650> [thy servant.]
Geshur <01650> [Geshur.]
serve <05647> [I will serve.]
spies <07270> [spies.]
rules <04427> [reigneth.]
Hebron <02275> [Hebron.]
invited <07121> [called.]
naively <08537> [their simplicity.]
Ahithophel <0302> [Ahithophel.]
David's <01732> [David's.]
Giloh <01542> [Giloh.]
offering <02076> [while he offered.]
people <05971> [the people.]
<03820> [The hearts.]
Come on <06965> [Arise.]
bring <05080> [bring. Heb. thrust.]
kill <05221> [and smite.]
servants <05650> [Behold.]
decides <0977> [appoint. Heb. choose.]
king ................ king <04428> [the king.]
king ............. foot .... king <07272 04428> [after him. Heb. at his feet.]
set out <03318> [went forth.]
Kerethites <03774> [Cherethites.]
Gittites <01663> [Gittites.]
Ittai <0863> [Ittai.]
wander around <05128 03212> [go up and down. Heb. wander in going.]
going ..... go ..... go <01980> [seeing.]
loyal love <02617> [mercy.]
Lord <03068> [As the Lord.]
wherever <04725> [surely.]
dependents <02945> [and all the little.]
Sir John Chardin informs us,in a MS. note on this place, that it is usual with the greatest part of the eastern people, especially the Arabs, to carry their whole family with them when they go to war.
land <0776> [all the country.]
Valley <05158> [the brook.]
The brook Kidron, which is but a few paces broad, runs along the valley of Jehoshaphat, east of Jerusalem, to the south-west corner of the city, and then, turning to the south-east, empties itself into the Dead Sea. Like the Ilissus, it is dry at least nine months in the year, being only furnished with water in the winter, and after heavy rains: its bed is narrow and deep, which indicates that it must formerly have been the channel for waters which have found some other, and probably subterraneous course.
Kidron <06939> [Kidron.]
[Cedron. the wilderness.]
Zadok <06659> [Zadok.]
carrying <05375> [bearing.]
back <07725> [Carry back.]
back <07725> [he will bring.]
dwelling <05116> [habitation.]
[I have not.]
<06213> [let.]
seer <07200> [a seer.]
back <07725> [return.]
Mount <04608> [the ascent.]
Olives <02132> [mount Olivet.]
Mount Olivet, so called from its abounding with olive trees, is situated east of Jerusalem, being separated from it only by the valley of Jehoshaphat and the brook Kidron. Josephus says it is five stadia, i.e., 625 geometrical paces from Jerusalem; and St. Luke (Ac 1:12) says it is a Sabbath day's journey, or about eight stadia distant, i.e., to the summit. It forms part of a ridge of limestone hills, extending from north to south for about a mile; and it is described as having three, or, according to others, four summits; the central and highest of which overlooks the whole of the city, over whose streets and walls the eye roves as if in the survey of a model.
going up ........ weeping .... went ......................... weeping .... went up <05927 01058> [and wept as he went up. Heb. going up and weeping.]
head ... covered ................. heads covered <02645 07218> [his head covered.]
This custom was only practised by persons in great distress, or when convicted of great crimes. Thus Darius, when informed by Tyriotes, the eunuch, that his queen was dead, and that she had suffered no violence from Alexander, covered his head, and wept a long time; then throwing off the garment that covered him, he thanked the gods for Alexander's moderation and justice.
feet were bare <03182> [barefoot.]
weeping ............................ weeping <01058> [weeping.]
Ahithophel .................. Ahithophel <0302> [Ahithophel.]
Lord <03068> [O Lord.]
advice <06098> [turn the counsel.]
summit ..................... head <07218> [the top.]
worship <07812> [he worshipped.]
Hushai <02365> [Hushai.]
Arkite <0757> [Archite.]
clothes torn <07167 03801> [coat rent.]
burden <04853> [then thou.]
back <07725> [return.]
father's <01> [as I have been.]
counter <06565> [then mayest.]
tell <05046> [thou shalt tell.]
two sons <01121 08147> [their two sons.]
friend <07463> [friend.]
Absalom <053> [Absalom.]
When .... gone a short <05674 04592> [little past.]
Ziba <06717> [Ziba.]
couple <06776> [with a couple.]
summer fruit <07019> [summer.]
These were probably pumpkins, cucumbers, or water-melons; the two latter being extensively used in the East to refresh travellers in the burning heat of the summer; and probably, as Mr. Harmer supposes, called summer fruits on this very account.
container <05035> [a bottle.]
Ziba ........ Ziba <06717> [What meanest.]
The asses. This is the eastern mode of speaking when presenting any thing to a great man: "This is for the slaves of the servants of your majesty;" when at the same time the presents are intended for the sovereign himself, and it is so understood. .# 15:1 19:26 Jud 5:10 10:4
attendants <05288> [for the young.]
exhausted <03287> [that such.]
master's <0113> [where is.]
[Today.]
Mephibosheth's <04648> [Behold.]
bow ...... find <07812 04672> [I humbly beseech thee. Heb. I do obeisance.]
Bahurim <0980> [Bahurim.]
This place is supposed to be the same as Almon, (Jos 21:18,) and Almeth, (1 Ch 6:60,) a city of Benjamin, north of Jerusalem, and apparently not far from Olivet.
named <08034> [whose name.]
extended ........ came out <03318> [he came, etc. or, he still came forth and cursed. cursed.]
man ... bloodshed .... man <0376 01818> [bloody man. Heb. man of blood.]
man ..... wicked man <0376 01100> [man of Belial.]
punished <07725> [returned.]
blood .................................... bloodshed <01818> [the blood.]
blood ........... rule ................ Disaster ........... bloodshed <04427 07451 01818> [thou, etc. or, thee in thy evil.]
Abishai <052> [Abishai.]
dead dog <03611 04191> [dead dog.]
curse <07043> [curse.]
go over <05674> [let me go.]
sons <01121> [What have.]
curses ......... Curse <07043> [so let him.]
said ................... said ........ say <0559> [Who shall.]
son <01121> [Behold.]
flesh and blood <03318> [came forth.]
trying <01245> [seeketh.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
<05869> [affliction. or, tears. Heb. eye. requite.]
curses <07043> [cursed.]
dirt <06083 06080> [cast dust. Heb. dusted him with dust.]
It was an ancient custom, in those warm and arid countries, to lay the dust before a person of distinction, by sprinkling the ground with water. Dr. Pococke and the consul were treated with this respect when they entered Cairo. The same custom is alluded to in the well-known fable of Ph‘drus, in which a slave is represented going before Augustus and officiously laying the dust. To throw dust in the air while a person was passing was therefore an act of great disrespect; to do so before a sovereign prince, an indecent outrage. But it is probable that Shimei meant more than disrespect and outrage to this afflicted king. Sir John Chardin informs us, that in the East, in general, those who demand justice against a criminal throw dust upon him, signifying that he ought to be put in the grave: and hence the common imprecation among the Turks and Persians, "Be covered with earth," or, "Earth be upon thy head."
[there.]
Absalom <053> [Absalom.]
Long live ... king Long live ... king <02421 04428> [God save the king. Heb. let the king live.]
loyalty <02617> [Is this thy.]
go <01980> [why wentest.]
serve <06440> [should I not serve.]
Give .... advice <03051 06098> [Give counsel.]
Have sex <0935> [Go in.]
father's ....................... father <01> [unto thy.]
repulsive <0887> [abhorred.]
father's ....................... father <01> [thy father.]
support <03027> [then shall.]
support <03027> [the hands.]
roof <01406> [the top.]
<0935> [went in.]
<0376> [as if.]
prophetic <0430 01697> [oracle of God. Heb. word of God.]
advice ................. advice <06098> [so was.]
The first counsel of this sagacious but wicked man to Absalom was more like an oracle of Satan, both for subtlety and atrocity. He advised the shameless measure just detailed, in order to establish Absalom, and to preclude the possibility of a reconciliation with David. The wives of a conquered king were always the property of the conqueror; and in possessing these he appeared to possess the right to the kingdom.
advice ................. advice <06098> [all the counsel.]
David <01732> [both.]
Then .... go <06965> [I will arise.]
night <03915> [this night.]
exhausted <03023> [weary.]
kill <05221> [I will smite.]
bring ..... back <07725> [I will bring.]
unharmed <07965> [shall be.]
idea <01697> [the saying.]
seemed ..... idea ... Absalom <03474 053 05869> [pleased Absalom well. Heb. was right in the eyes of Absalom.]
Hushai <02365> [Hushai.]
say <06310> [he saith. Heb. is in his mouth.]
said ...... what ......... advice <0559 01697> [saying. Heb. word.]
<03289> [given. Heb. counselled. not good.]
soldiers <01368> [mighty men.]
dangerous <05315 04751> [chafed in their minds. Heb. bitter of soul.]
bear <01677> [as a bear.]
father .... men ........................ father .... experienced <01 0376> [thy father is.]
hiding <02244> [he is hid.]
one ........ other similar <0259 05307> [some.]
similar <05307> [over thrown. Heb. fallen.]
lion-hearted <03820> [heart.]
virtually melt away <04549> [utterly melt.]
father <01> [thy father.]
bravest soldier ............................ brave <02428> [and they which.]
Israel <03478> [all Israel.]
sand <02344> [as the sand.]
lead <01980> [thou go. Heb. they face, or presence, go, etc. in thine.]
wherever ................................... one <04725 0259> [in some place.]
<05168> [we will light.]
This is a very beautiful and expressive figure. The dew in Palestine, and other warm climates, falls fast, sudden, and heavy; and it falls upon every spot of earth, so that not a blade of grass escapes it. It is therefore no inapt emblem of a numerous and active army; and it was, perhaps, for this reason that the Romans called their light armed forces {rorarii.}
take up ropes <05375 02256> [bring ropes.]
In the same manner the king of Maturan, in Java, proposed pulling down a tower which the Dutch had built, by making his people and elephants pull at a number of chains, and ropes of cocoa-nut bark, thrown around it.
pebble <01571 06872> [one small.]
Lord .............. Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
had <06680> [appointed. Heb. commanded.]
frustrate <06565> [to defeat.]
advice ....... better .... advice ............. advice <06098 02896> [good counsel.]
Zadok <06659> [Zadok.]
spend <03885> [Lodge.]
cross over <05674> [but speedily.]
overwhelmed <01104> [be swallowed.]
Jonathan <03083> [Jonathan.]
staying <05975> [stayed.]
En Rogel <05883> [En-rogel.]
Bahurim <0980> [Bahurim.]
covering ... spread <04539 06566> [spread a covering.]
what ... had done <01697> [the thing.]
crossed over <05674> [They be gone.]
searched <01245> [when they had sought.]
Get <06965> [Arise.]
Ahithophel <0302> [thus hath Ahithophel.]
crossed ................ crossed <05674> [and they passed.]
left <05737> [there lacked.]
When ... realized <07200> [saw.]
he <06213> [followed. Heb. done. his city.]
had ............. house ...... setting ... household <06680 01004> [put his household in order. Heb. gave charge concerning his house.]
hanged <02614> [and hanged.]
Mahanaim <04266> [Mahanaim.]
Amasa ............. Amasa <06021> [Amasa.]
Jether <03501> [Ithra.]
[Jether the Ishmaelite. Abigail. Heb. Abigal. Nahash. or,]
Jesse.
land <0776> [land of the Gilead.]
son ... Nahash ...... Ammonites .... son <01121 05176> [the son of Nahash.]
Makir <04353> [Machir.]
Barzillai <01271> [Barzillai.]
bedding <04904> [beds.]
These no doubt consisted of skins of beasts, mats, carpets, and such like.
basins <05592> [basons. or, cups.]
{Sappoth,} probably wooden bowls, such as the Arabs still eat out of, and knead their bread in.
pottery utensils <03627 03335> [earthen vessels.]
{Keley yotzair}, literally, "vessels of the potter." So when Dr. Perry visited the temple of Luxor in Egypt, he says, "We were entertained by the Caliph here with great civility and favour; he sent us, in return of our presents, several sheep, a good quantity of eggs, {bardacks,}" etc. The {bardacks,} he informs us, were earthen vessels, used "to cool and refresh their water in, by means of which it drinks very cool and pleasant in the hottest seasons of the year." See Harmer, ch. vi.
wheat <02406> [wheat.]
Mr. Jones says, "Travellers use {zumeet, tumeet,} and {limereece.} {Zumeet} is flour mixed with honey, butter, and spice; {tumeet} is flour done up with organ oil: and {limereece} is flour mixed with water, for drink. This quenches thirst much better than water alone, satisfies a hungry appetite; cools and refreshes tired and weary spirits," etc.
cheese <01241 08194> [cheese of kine.]
<01732> [for David.]
<0398> [to eat.]
people <05971> [The people.]
desert <04057> [in the wilderness.]
assembled <06485> [numbered.]
leaders ... thousands ... leaders <08269 0505> [captains of thousands.]
third ........ third .............. third <07992> [a third part.]
leadership ... Joab ...... leadership ... Joab's ............ leadership <03097 03027> [the hand of Joab.]
Ittai <0863> [Ittai.]
march out <03318> [I will surely.]
<03318> [Thou shalt.]
rapid retreat <05127> [if we flee.]
make ......... concerned ...... half ................ like <07760 02677 03644> [care for us. Heb. set their heart on us. but now.]
The particle {Æ’ttah,} Now, is doubtless a mistake for the pronoun {attah,} Thou: and so it appears to have been read by the LXX., Vulgate, and Chaldee, and by two of Kennicott's and De Rossi's MSS.
like <03644> [worth, etc. Heb. as ten thousand of us.]
support <05826> [succour. Heb. be to succour.]
gate <08179> [by the gate.]
hundreds <03967> [by hundreds.]
David's small company, by this time, was greatly recruited; but what its number was we cannot tell. Josephus says it amounted only to 4,000 men.
gently <0328> [Deal gently.]
army <05971> [all the people.]
forest ... Ephraim <0669 03293> [wood of Ephraim.]
The wood of Ephraim was evidently beyond Jordan, and apparently not far from Mahanaim; and it is supposed to be the place where the Ephraimites were slain by Jephthah.
army <05971> [the people.]
great <01419> [a great.]
20,000 <0505 06242> [twenty thousand men.]
[in the wood.]
That is, probably, many more were slain in pursuit through the wood than in the battle, by falling into swamps, pits, etc., and being entangled and cut down by David's men. Such is the relation of Josephus; but the Chaldee, Syriac, and Arabic state, that they were devoured by wild beasts in the wood.
consumed more ...... devoured <0398 07235> [devoured more. Heb. multiplied to devour.]
head <07218> [his head.]
Riding furiously under the thick boughs of a great oak, which hung low and had never been cropped, either the twisted branches, or some low forked bough of the tree, caught him by the neck, or, as some think, by the loops into which his long hair had been pinned, which had been so much his pride, and was now justly made a halter for him. He may have hung so low from the bough, in consequence of the length of his hair, that he could not use his hands to help himself, or so entangled that his hands were bound, so that the more he struggled the more he was embarrassed. This set him up as a fair mark to the servants of David; and although David would have spared his rebellious son, if his orders had been executed, yet he could not turn the sword of Divine justice, in executing the just, righteous sentence of death on this traitorous son.
suspended <05414> [taken up.]
receiving <08254> [receive, etc. Heb. weigh upon mine hand. in our hearing.]
Protect <08104> [Beware, etc. Heb. Beware, whosoever ye be, of the, etc.]
acted <06213> [wrought.]
nothing <01697> [for there is no.]
<06440> [with thee. Heb. before thee. thrust them.]
oak tree <0424> [midst. Heb. heart.]
Then ... blew ... trumpet <08628 07782> [blew the trumpet.]
<05324> [laid.]
This was the ancient method of burying, whether heroes or traitors; the heap of stones being designed to perpetuate the memory of the event, whether good or bad. The Arabs in general make use of no other monument than a heap of stones over a grave. Thus, in an Arabic poem, it is related, that Hatim the father, and Adi the grandfather of Kais, having been murdered, at a time before Kais was capable of reflection, his mother kept it a profound secret; and in order to guard him against having any suspicion, she collected a parcel of stone on two hillocks in the neighbourhood, and told her son that the one was the grave of his father, and the other of his grandfather. The ancient cairns in Ireland and Scotland, and the tumuli in England, are of this kind.
set up <05324> [reared up.]
King's <04428> [the king's.]
son <01121> [I have no son.]
He ............. known <07121> [he called.]
Absalom ......................................... Absalom's Memorial <053 03027> [Absalom's place.]
Josephus says there was in his time, about two furlongs from Jerusalem, a marble pillar called Absalom's hand, as it is in the Hebrew, (See note on 1 Sa 15:12;) and there is one shown to the present day, in the valley of Jehoshaphat, which, though comparatively a modern structure, probably occupies the site of the original one set up by Absalom.
Ahimaaz <0290> [Ahimaaz.]
vindicated <08199 03027> [avenged him. Heb. judged him from the hand, etc.]
news ..... bear good news <01309 01319> [bear tidings. Heb. be a man of tidings.]
king's <04428> [because.]
Whatever ............ Why <04100> [howsoever. Heb. be what may. ready. or, convenient.]
passed ... Cushite <03569 05674> [overran Cushi.]
<08147> [between.]
watchman <06822> [the watchman.]
[Methinketh. Heb. I see.]
good ....... good <02896> [He is a good.]
Greetings <07965> [All is well. or, Peace be to thee. Heb. Peace. he fell down upon his face.]
This act was not only in reverence to the king, but in humble adoration of God, whose name he praises for this victory. The more our hearts are fixed and enlarged, in thanksgiving to God for our mercies, the better disposed we shall be to bear with patience the afflictions mixed with them.
praised <01288> [Blessed.]
defeated <05462> [delivered up. Heb. shut up.]
young man Absalom <05288 053 07965> [Is the young man Absalom safe? Heb. is there peace to, etc.]
I saw a great.
receive the good news <01319> [Tidings. Heb. Tidings is brought. the Lord.]
Cushi was the man Joab ordered to carry the tidings to David. He was an Ethiopian, as his name signifies, and some think he was so by birth--a black, who waited on Joab, probably one of the ten who had helped to dispatch Absalom; though it was dangerous for one of those to bring the news to David, lest his fate should be the same with theirs that reported the death of Saul and Ishbosheth to him.
enemies <0341> [The enemies.]
Thus Cushi obliquely and slowly informs David of the death of his son Absalom.
son .... son ... son .............. son ... son <01121> [O my son.]
died <04191> [would God.]
victory <08668> [victory. Heb. salvation, or, deliverance. turned.]
city <05892> [into the city.]
stole .............. steal <01589> [steal.]
covered <03813> [covered.]
son ..... son ... son <01121> [O my son.]
It is allowed by competent critics that the lamentation of David over his son, of which this forms a part, is exceedingly pathetic; and Calmet properly remarks, that the frequent repetition of the name of the deceased is common in the language of lamentation.
embarrassed <03001> [Thou hast.]
Every one must admit that David's immoderate grief for his rebellious son was imprudent, and that Joab's firm and sensible reproof was necessary to arouse him to a sense of his duty to his people: but, in his manner, Joab far exceeded the bounds of that reverence which a servant owes to his master, or a subject to his prince.
saved <04422> [saved.]
love ....... friends <0157> [In that, etc. Heb. By loving, etc. thou regardest, etc.]
Heb. princes or servants are not to thee. then it had.
encouragement .... servants <03820 05650> [comfortably unto thy. Heb. to the heart of thy.]
stay <03885> [there.]
disaster ......... disaster <07451> [all the evil.]
sat ..... gate ............ sitting ..... gate <08179 03427> [sat in the gate.]
How prudently and mildly David took the reproof and counsel given him! He shook off his grief, anointed his head, and washed his face, that he might not appear unto men to mourn, and then made his appearance at the gate of the city, which was the public place of resort for the hearing of causes and giving judgment, as well as a place to ratify special bargains. Thither the people flocked to congratulate him on his and their safety, and that all was well. When we are convinced of a fault, we must amend, though we are told of it by our inferiors in a way which is peculiarly painful to our natural feelings. This ancient custom still obtains in the East; for when Dr. Pococke returned from viewing the town of ancient Byblus, he says, "The sheik and the elders were sitting in the gate of the city, after the ancient manner, and I sat awhile with them."
Israelite soldiers <03478> [for Israel.]
arguing <01777> [strife.]
king <04428> [The king.]
fled <01272> [he is fled.]
anointed <04886> [whom.]
died <04191> [is dead.]
hesitate ... bring <02790 07725> [speak ye not a word. Heb. are ye silent?]
sent <07971> [sent.]
Tell <01696> [Speak.]
bringing <0314> [Why are.]
very <06106> [my bones.]
Amasa <06021> [Amasa.]
God <0430> [God.]
place ... Joab <03097 08478> [room of Joab.]
won <05186> [he bowed.]
The measures that he pursued were the best calculated that could be adopted for accomplishing this salutary end. David appears to take no notice of their infidelity, but rather to place confidence in them, that their confidence in him might be naturally excited; and to oblige them yet farther, purposes to make Amasa general of the army, instead of Joab.
one <0259> [even.]
Gilgal <01537> [Gilgal.]
Shimei <08096> [Shimei.]
It appears that Shimei was a powerful chieftain in the land; for he had here in his retinue no less than a thousand men.
quickly <04116> [hasted.]
Ziba <06717> [Ziba.]
crossed ............ cross ............. crossed <05674> [And there.]
The LXX. connecting this the with preceding verse, render, [kai kateuthynan ton lordanen emposthen tou basileos, kai eleitourgesan ten leitourgian tou diabibasai ton basilea,] "and they made ready Jordan before the king, and did the necessary service to bring over the king;" and the Vulgate has, {et irrumpentes Jordanem, ante regem transierunt vada, ut traducerent domum regis,} "and breaking into Jordan, they passed the fords before the king, to bring over the king's household." Josephus says they prepared a bridge over the Jordan, to facilitate his passage.
whatever .... appropriate <05869 02896> [what he thought good. Heb. the good in his eyes. fell down.]
said <0559> [And said.]
lord ................ lord <0113> [Let not.]
recall <02142> [remember.]
<05753> [did perversely.]
don't ... it ... mind <07760 03820> [take it.]
come <0935> [I am come.]
Joseph <03130> [Joseph.]
Shimei <08096> [Shall not.]
cursed <07043> [cursed.]
sons <01121> [What have.]
anyone <0376> [shall there any man.]
die <04191> [Thou shalt.]
oath <07650> [sware.]
Mephibosheth <04648> [Mephibosheth.]
feet ... trimmed <06213 07272> [dressed his feet.]
Literally, made his feet, which seems to mean washing the feet paring the nails, and perhaps anointing or otherwise perfuming them, if not tinging the nails with henna; see Note on De 21:12. Sir John Chardin, in his MS. note on this place, informs us, that it is customary in the East to have as much care of the feet as the hands; and that their barbers cut and adjust the nails with a proper instrument, because they often go barefoot. The nails of the toes of the mummies inspected in London in 1763, of which an account is given in the Philosophical Transactions for 1764, seem to have been tinged with some reddish colour.
trimmed <06213> [trimmed.]
Literally, made his beard, which may mean, combing, curling, and perfuming it. But Mr. Morier says that they almost universally dye the beard black, by successive layers of a paste made of henna, and another made of the leaf of the indigo: the first tinging with an orange colour, and the next with a dark bottle green, which becomes jet black when exposed to the air for twenty-four hours.
go <01980> [Wherefore.]
saddled <02280> [I will saddle.]
servant .......... donkey ................ I <05650> [thy servant.]
slandered <07270> [slandered.]
angel <04397> [as an angel.]
no <03808> [were.]
death <04194 0582> [dead men. Heb. men of death.]
allowed <07896> [didst thou.]
ask <02199> [to cry.]
speaking <01696> [Why speakest.]
this .... Ziba <01697 06717> [Thou.]
<03947> [Yea.]
eighty <08084> [fourscore.]
king <04428> [provided.]
very ......................... very <03966> [for he was.]
Cross <05674> [Come thou.]
days <03117 08141> [How long have I to live? Heb. How many days are the years of my life?]
discern <03045> [can I discern.]
taste <02938> [taste.]
hear <08085> [I hear.]
burden <04853> [a burden.]
king .......... king <04428> [the king.]
me .......................... servant <05650> [Let thy.]
The whole of this little episode is extremely interesting, and contains an affecting description of the infirmities of old age. The venerable and kind Barzillai was fourscore years old; his ear was become dull of hearing, and his relish for even royal dainties was gone: the evil days had arrived in which he was constrained to say, "I have no pleasure in them." (Ec 12:1.) As he was too old either to enjoy the pleasures of a court, or to be of any further service to the king, he finishes his affecting address to the aged monarch with the request, that he would suffer him to enjoy what old men naturally desire, to "die in mine own city, and be buried by the grave of my father and mother;" at the same time commending his son Chimham to his kind offices.
die <04191> [I may die.]
grave <06913> [by the grave.]
Kimham <03643> [Chimham.]
choose <0977> [require. Heb. choose.]
king .... king <04428> [the king.]
The kiss was the token of friendship and farewell; the blessing was a prayer to God for his prosperity: probably a prophetical benediction.
kissed ...... Barzillai <05401 01271> [kissed Barzillai.]
blessed <01288> [blessed.]
returned <07725> [returned.]
Kimham <03643> [Chimham. Heb. Chimhan. all the people.]
brothers <0251> [Why have.]
sneak <01589> [stolen.]
king .................. king's <04428> [Because.]
ten <06235> [We have.]
ten shares <03027 06235> [ten parts.]
curse ............... comments ........... those <07043 01697> [despise us. Heb. set us at light. our advice.]
comments ........... those <01697> [the words.]
Whatever value or respect the men of Israel at this time professed for their king, they would not have quarrelled so fiercely about their own credit and interest in recalling him, if they had been truly sorry for their former rebellion.
happened <07122> [And there.]
man ........ Benjaminite ............................ man <0376> [a man.]
blew <08628> [he blew.]
share <02506> [We have.]
men .............. men <0376> [every man.]
men .............. men <0376> [the men.]
Jordan River <03383> [from Jordan.]
placed <05414> [and put.]
The confinement and retired maintenance of these women was the only measure which in justice and prudence could be adopted. In China, when an emperor dies, all his women are removed to an edifice called the palace of chastity, situated within the palace, in which they are shut up for the remainder of their lives.
confinement <04931> [ward. Heb. an house of ward.]
confinement <06887> [shut. Heb. bound. living in widowhood. Heb. in widowhood of life.]
Amasa <06021> [Amasa.]
Call ....... for <02199> [Assemble. Heb. Call.]
Amasa <06021> [So Amasa.]
took longer <0309> [tarried.]
Abishai <052> [Abishai.]
cause greater disaster <03415> [do us.]
lord's <0113> [thy lord's.]
get away <05869 05337> [escape us. Heb. deliver himself from our eyes.]
Gibeon <01391> [in Gibeon.]
Amasa <06021> [Amasa.]
How <07965> [Art thou.]
Amasa ............. hold ... Amasa's <0270 06021> [took Amasa.]
Thevenot says, that among the Turks it is a great afront to take one by the beard, unless it be to kiss him, in which case they often do it. D'Arvieux, describing an assembly of Arab emirs at an entertainment, says, "After the usual civilities, caresses, kissings of the beard, and of the hand, which every one gave and received according to his rank and dignity, they sat down upon mats." The doing this by the Arab emirs corresponds with the conduct of Joab, and illustrates this horrid assassination.
kiss <05401> [to kiss him.]
Joab .............................. Joab <03097> [in Joab's.]
stabbed <05221> [he smote.]
spill out <08210> [and shed.]
again <08138> [struck him not again. Heb. doubled not his stroke.]
David <01732> [He that.]
David <01732> [for David.]
path <04546> [the highway.]
Abel <059> [Abel.]
Or rather, probably, Abel of Beth-Maachah, as in the next verse. It appears, from Joab having marched "through all the tribes of Israel," to have been situated in the northern confines of the land of Israel, and in the half tribe of Manasseh, east of Jordan, as that was the situation of Maachah, to which it belonged. This agrees with the situation of the Abela which Eusebius and Jerome place between Paneas, or C‘sarea Philippi, and Damascus. Josephus says it was a fortified city, and a metropolis of the Israelites; and also that it belonged to the ten tribes, having been taken from the king of Damascus.
Berite <01276> [Berites.]
[Beeroth.]
prepared <08210> [cast up.]
ramp <05550> [a bank.]
So LXX. generally render {solelah,} by [proschoma or choma;] which latter is described by Potter as "a mount, which was raised so high as to equal, if not exceed, the top of the besieged walls. The sides were walled in with bricks or stones, or secured with strong rafters; the fore part only, being by degrees to be moved near the walls, remained bare."
stood .... outer rampart <02426 05975> [it stood in the trench. or, it stood against the outmost wall. battered, etc. Heb. marred to throw down.]
Listen .... words .......... listening <01697 08085> [Hear the words.]
would <01696> [They were wont, etc. or, They plainly spake in the beginning, saying, Surely they will ask of Abel, and so make an end.]
peaceful <07999> [peaceable.]
important <0517> [a mother.]
swallow up <01104> [swallow.]
inheritance <05159> [the inheritance.]
Get serious <02486> [Far be it.]
swallow up <01104> [that I should.]
man <0376> [a man.]
named <08034> [by name. Heb. by his name. lifted.]
head <07218> [his head.]
wise advice <02451> [in her wisdom.]
blew <08628> [he blew.]
dispersed <06327> [retired. Heb. were scattered. And Joab.]
Joab <03097> [Now Joab.]
Benaiah <01141> [and Benaiah.]
Adoniram <0151> [Adoram.]
secretary <02142> [recorder. or, remembrancer.]
<07864> [Sheva.]
[Shavsha.]
Ira <05896> [Ira.]
[Ithrite. Jairite.]
priest <03548> [chief ruler. or, prince.]
The Hebrew is {cohen ledawid,} which might be rendered, a priest of David; and so the Septuagint, Vulgate, Syriac, and Arabic. The Chaldee has {rav,} a chief or prince: probably he was a kind of domestic chaplain or seer to the king. # 24:11 2Ch 35:15
