2 Sam. 16 Ziba, by presents and false suggestions, obtaineth of David his master’s inheritance, 2 Sam. 16:1–4. Shimei revileth and curseth David, who restraineth Abishai from revenging it, 2 Sam. 16:5–14.

Ziba; a crafty man, who, being persuaded that God would in due time appear for the righteous cause of so good a king, and scatter the cloud which was now upon him, takes this occasion to make way for his future advancement. A bottle; a large bottle or vessel proportionable to the other provisions.

For the king’s household to ride on; for the king and his wives and children were all on foot; not that he had not or could not procure asses for them at Jerusalem, but because he chose it as best becoming that state of penitence and humiliation in which they were.

Which though it might seem a very unlikely thing, yet such vain expectations do often get into the minds of men; nor was it impossible, that when David’s family was thus divided, and one part engaged against another, they might destroy themselves by mutual wounds; and the people being tired out…

Thine are all that pertained unto Mephibosheth; a rash sentence, and unrighteous, to condemn a man unheard, upon the single testimony of his accuser and servant.

Bahurim; a city in Benjamin, 2 Sam. 3:16, 2 Sam. 19:16; i.e. to the territory of it, for to the city he came not till 2 Sam. 16:14.

He cast stones; not so much to hurt them, as to show his contempt of them. All the people were on his right hand and on his left; which is noted to show the prodigious madness of the man; though rage (which is truly said to be a short madness) and the height of malice hath oft transported men to…

Or rather, go out, as the word properly signifies. Be gone out of thy kingdom, as thou deservest.

All the blood of the house of Saul; either, 1. The blood of Abner and Ish-bosheth; which he maliciously imputes to David, as if they had been killed by David’s contrivance; especially the former, because David did only give Joab hard words, as in policy he was obliged to do; but instead of…

What have I to do with you? to wit, in this matter I ask not your advice, nor will I follow it; nor do I desire you should at all concern yourselves in it, but wholly leave it to me, to do what I think fit.

It may be; he speaks doubtfully, because he was conscious that by his sins he had forfeited all his claim to God’s promises. The Lord will look on mine affliction with an eye of commiseration.

Not that he could reach him or hurt him with it; but only as an expression of contempt. And the like is to be thought concerning the stones, wherewith he could not think to reach David, when he was encamped with his men on every side.

Came to the city of Bahurim, 2 Sam. 16:5.

To wit, Absalom, whom he pretends to own for his king and liege lord.

Is this thy kindness to thy friend? doth this action answer that profession of greatest friendship which thou hast hitherto made to him? Dost thou thus requite his favour and true friendship to thee? He speaks thus only to try him.

Though as a private person I owed and paid friendship to David whilst he was king; yet I must make all my obligations give place to the authority of God, who putteth down and setteth up kings at this pleasure; and to the common sense and decree of the whole body of the nation.

Thou art his son, and heir, and successor, and now in his place and stead; whereby my friendship which was due to him is devolved upon thee by right of inheritance; and I reckon that my friendship is not wholly alienated from him, when it is transferred upon one that came out of his bowels.

This counsel he gave, partly to revenge the injury done to Bath-sheba, who was the daughter of Eliam, 2 Sam. 11:3 who was the son of Ahithophel, 2 Sam.

Upon the top of the house, to wit, of the king’s palace, the very place from whence David had spied and gazed upon Bath-sheba, 2 Sam. 11:2. So that his sin was legible in the very place of his punishment. Unto his father’s concubines, i.e.

Was as if a man had inquired at the oracle of God; it was received by the people with equal authority and veneration, and was usually attended with as certain success; which is mentioned as the reason why a counsel which had so ill a face, should meet with such general approbation.