2 Sam. 15 Absalom stealeth the hearts of Israel, 2 Sam. 15:1–6. Under pretence of a vow obtaineth leave to go to Hebron: there with Ahithophel’s aid he conspires to be king, 2 Sam. 15:7–12. David fleeth from Jerusalem with all his men; leaveth ten of his concubines, 2 Sam. 15:13–37.

As being the king’s eldest son, now Amnon was dead; for Chileab, who was his eldest brother, 2 Sam. 3:3, was either dead, or manifestly incapable of the government.

Rose up early; thereby making a show of self-denial, and diligence, and solicitude for the good of the public, and of every private person, as he had opportunity. Beside the way of the gate; either, first, Of the king’s palace.

Thy matters are good and right: upon some very slight hearing of their case he approved it, that he might oblige all. No man deputed of the king to hear thee, to wit, none such as will do thee justice.

Oh that I were made judge in the land! for the king had only restored Absalom to favour, but thought not fit to put him into any place of power and trust. I would do him justice; I should refuse no man, and decline no pains to do any man good. So he pretends to a very public spirit.

Putting on the garb of singular humanity and good will to all men; for that seems to have been a ceremony in frequent use in those times of showing respect, as pulling off the hat, and bowing, or embracing, is at this day with us.

i.e. He secretly and subtlety undermined his father, and robbed his father of the good opinions and affections of his people, that he might gain them to himself, by such insinuations into their affections, by his plausible and over-civil carriage.

After forty years. Quest. Whence are these to be computed? Answ. Not from Absalom’s birth; for he was born in Hebron some considerable time after David had begun his reign, 2 Sam.

i.e. Worship him by the offering of sacrifices of thanksgiving to God, for restoring me to the place of his presence and service, and to my father’s favour.

This place he chose, as being an eminent city, and next to Jerusalem, the chief of the tribe of Judah, and the place of his birth, and the place where his father began his kingdom, which he took for a good omen, and where it is probable that he had secured many friends, and which was at some…

Absalom sent from Hebron; or, had sent from Jerusalem; that when he went to Hebron, they should go into the several tribes to sift the people, and to dispose them to Absalom’s party, and acquaint them with his success.

That were called; such as Absalom had picked out as fit for his purpose; such as were of some quality and reputation with the king and people, which would give a great countenance to his undertaking, and give occasion to people at first to think that this was done by his father’s consent or…

Ahithophel is thought to have been the author, or, at least, the fomenter of this rebellion; either because he was discontented with David, for which there might be many reasons; or because he saw the father was old and nigh his end, and he thought it best policy to worship the rising sun, and to…

The generality of the people are for him; which is not strange, considering either, first, David, whose many miscarriages had greatly lost him in the hearts of his people.

Arise, and let us flee; for though the fort of Zion was strong and impregnable, 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 and quiet possession of his whole kingdom; whereas if…

After him, or, on foot, by comparing 2 Sam. 15:30, which the king chose to do rather than to ride; partly, to humble himself under the hand of God; partly, to encourage his companions in this hard and comfortless march; and partly, to move compassion in his people towards him.

Either to rest and refresh themselves a little; or rather, in expectation of others who should or would come after him, that they might march away in a considerable body, which might both defend the king, and invite others to come in to their assistance.

Of the Cherethites and the Pelethites See Poole on “2 Sam. 8:18”. The Gittites were either, first, Israelites by birth, called Gittites because they went with him to Gath, and abode with him in that country. Or rather, secondly, Strangers, as Ittai their head is called, 2 Sam.

Return to thy place; either, first, To thy native country of Gath, where thou wilt be remote from our broils. Or, secondly, To Jerusalem, where thy settled abode now is. And abide, or, or abide; for he could not both go to Gath, and tarry in Jerusalem with Absalom.

Thou camest but yesterday; by which it may be gathered that these were not the Israelitish soldiers which went with David to Gath, and came up with him from thence to Hebron, which was above thirty years before this time, but some proselytes which came from thence more lately.

For being so deeply engaged for David, he durst not leave his little ones to Absalom’s mercy.

All the country, i.e. the generality of the people by whom they passed; for it must be considered that Absalom’s friends and partisans were gone to him to Hebron, and the rest of the people thereabouts were either well-willers to David, or at least moved with compassion at the sad and sudden change…

Bearing the ark of the covenant of God; as a pledge of God’s presence and assistance, and that David might inquire at it upon occasion. They set down the ark of God; either in expectation of drawing forth more people to David’s party, if not from their loyalty to their lawful king, yet from their…

Carry back the ark of God into the city; partly, out of care and reverence to the ark, which though sometimes it was and might be carried out to a certain place; yet he might justly think unfit to carry it from place to place he knew not whither, and to expose it to all the hazards and…

I have no delight in thee; I will not receive thee into my favour, nor restore thee to thy throne and city, and to the enjoyment of my ark and ordinances. Here am I, ready to obey him, and to submit to his will and pleasure concerning me.

The king said also unto Zadok; either because Abiathar was gone from him, 2 Sam. 15:24, and not yet returned; or because David put more confidence in Zadok. A seer, i.e. either, 1. A prophet, for such were called seers, 1 Sam. 9:9, 2 Sam. 24:11, Amos 7:12.

He went barefoot, in testimony of his deep sorrow, and humiliation and shame for his sins, whereby he had procured, this evil to himself; for these were the habits of mourners, 2 Sam. 19:4, Est. 6:12, Isa. 20:3–4, Jer.

One told David, or, David told, i.e. David being hereof informed, acquaints his friends and followers with it, to stir them up to join with him in the following prayer against him.

He worshipped God; looking towards Jerusalem, where the ark and tabernacle was. Compare 1 Kings 8:44, 1 Kings 8:48, Dan. 6:10.

Increasing my charge, and care, and sorrow for what may befall thee, and being but of little use to me: for it may seem he was an old man, and fitter for counsel than for war.

i.e. I will be as faithful to thee as I have been to thy father; which he neither was nor ought to be; and therefore the profession of this was great dissimulation.

There with them; not in Jerusalem, but in a place near to it, to which they could easily send upon occasion. See 2 Sam. 17:17.