2 Sam. 17 Hushai, David’s friend, being, by David’s order, gone over to Absalom, by God’s appointment overthroweth Ahithophel’s counsel, 2 Sam. 17:1–14. Hushai certifieth David thereof, and adviseth him forthwith to march on, 2 Sam. 17:15–21. David passeth over Jordan, 2 Sam. 17:22.

I am so well assured of the goodness of this counsel, that I will venture my own person and life in execution of it.

Weary and weak-handed; tired with a tedious march on foot, and destitute of men and military provisions; and disheartened by his own small numbers, and by the general defection of his subjects.

The man whom thou seekest is as if all returned, i. e. the death of that man whom thou seekest to destroy is no less considerable to thee, than if all the people that follow him should desert him and return unto thee.

A wonderful effect of Divine Providence, blinding his mind, and influencing his heart, that he could not rest in Ahithophel’s counsel, though it was so evidently wise, and good, and approved by the general consent of his whole party; and that he should desire Hushai’s advice, though neither his…

Though at other times he generally gives most wise and admirable counsel; yet, as he is a man, he seems now to be under a mistake, and not sufficiently to consider all the present circumstances of this business.

Mighty men; of approved courage and strength, therefore not so soon vanquished as Ahithophel supposeth. Chafed in their minds, Heb. bitter of soul, inflamed with rage; desperate, and therefore resolved to sell their lives at a dear rate.

He is hid now in some pit, or in some other place; having been oft accustomed to that course, and well acquainted with all hidingplaces from Saul’s time.

The known fame of the prodigious valour of David and his followers will easily gain credit to that report, and strike the stoutest of our men with dread, even Ahithophel himself, if he should go with them.

His pretence was, that they might have a far greater army, and make sure though slow work; his design was to gain David more time, that he might increase his army, and make better provisions for the battle; and that the present heat of the people might be cooled, and they might at last bethink…

As the dew falleth on the ground, i. e. plenteously, suddenly, irresistibly, and on all sides; for so the dew falls.

Then shall all Israel bring ropes to that city; not that they should do so, or that it was the custom to do so; but it is an hyperbolical and thrasonical expression, suited to the vain-glorious temper of this insolent young man; and therefore most likely to prevail with him; implying that they…

Absalom and all the men of Israel were infatuated by a Divine power, and given up to believe lies and mistakes. The Lord had appointed to defeat the good counsel; so it was, politically considered; being the wisest and most effectual course to accomplish Absalom’s end.

Lodge not this night in the plains of the wilderness, lest the king’s and people’s minds change, and Ahithophel, by his deep wit and great interest, persuade the king to follow his former advice, and to pursue you speedily.

En-rogel, or, the fuller’s well; a place near Jerusalem, Josh. 15:7, Josh. 18:16. A wench went and told them; pretending to go thither to wash some clothes,

A lad saw them, who knew them to be favourers of David, and observed them to wait there upon design, and to gain intelligence, and possibly saw the wench speaking privately to them. They went both of them away quickly; suspecting by this lad’s observation and carriage that they were discovered.

Spread ground corn thereon, under pretence of drying it by the sun; which shows it was summer time.

Over the brook of water, i.e. over Jordan. This was a manifest lie; but because it was spoken for no hurt, but good only, many persons in those times conceived such lies to be lawful. Compare Ex. 1:19, Josh. 2:4–5.

They passed over Jordan; either at the ford, or in boats.

Put his household in order; disposed of his estate by will. Compare Isa. 38:1. Hanged himself; partly because he could not endure to outlive his disgrace, and the rejection of his counsel; and partly because he foresaw by this means David would gain time and strength, and in all probability be…

Mahanaim; a place in the country of Gilead, bordering upon the land of the Ammonites, 2 Sam. 17:27, Gen. 32:2, 2 Sam. 2:8. Absalom passed over Jordan; not speedily, but when all the men of Israel were gathered together according to Hushai’s counsel, who are said to be with him here, as it follows.

Ithra an Israelite. Object. He was an Ishmaelite, 1 Chron. 2:17. Answ. Not Amasa; but Ithra, or Jether, Amasa’s father, is there so called, because he was such, either by his birth from such parents, or by his long habitation among them, or for some other reason now unknown. Compare 2 Sam. 15:18.

Shobi, as it may seem, disliked and disowned that barbarous action to the ambassadors; and therefore, when the rest were destroyed, was left king or governor of the residue of the Ammonites. Machir the son of Ammiel of Lodebar. See above, 2 Sam. 9:4.

Beds and basons, i.e. all sorts of household stuff, as well as other provisions, all which David now wanted.

i.e. Having been in the wilderness; which is an easy and common ellipsis. Or, because of (so the Hebrew particle beth is oft used) the wilderness, which they have passed through, in which provisions are very scarce.