31 matching verse commentaries
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
INTRODUCTION TO SECOND SAMUEL 17 This chapter relates the advice Ahithophel gave to march out speedily with a number of men in pursuit of David, which at first seemed agreeable, 2 Samuel 17:1; but Hushai's opinion being asked, and he giving counsel to raise a larger army, which required time, and was taken to, hereby the counsel of Ahithophel was...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
Moreover, Ahithophel said unto Absalom,.... Either at the same time, or quickly after he had given the foregoing advice: let me now choose out twelve thousand men: out of those that were with Absalom, which shows their number to be large; and twelve thousand are pitched upon with respect to the twelve tribes of Israel, a thousand from every tribe;...
Matthew Henry - Complete Commentary - Matthew Henry
The contest between David and Absalom is now hasting towards a crisis. It must be determined by the sword, and preparation is made accordingly in this chapter. I. Absalom calls a council of war, in which Ahithophel urges despatch (ver. 1-4), but Hushai recommends deliberation (ver. 5-13); and Hushai's counsel is agreed to (ver. 14), for vexation...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
And I will come upon him while he [is] weary,.... With travelling, and with grief, and when endeavouring to get some rest by sleep, and so surprise him unawares, when not on his guard, and in no posture of defence: and weak handed; while the number of men with him is small, and before the people from different parts can come to his assistance: and...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
And I will bring back all the people unto thee,.... Meaning not the people only that were with David, that he would make them prisoners, and bring them with him; for he before proposed to let them make their escape; but to reduce all Israel to the obedience of Absalom at once, by executing this scheme which he had formed: the man whom thou seekest...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
And the saying pleased Absalom well, and all elders of Israel. That were of the privy council; for it was a well contrived scheme to surprise David his men by night, in the condition they were in; nothing like seizing an opportunity, and making quick dispatch in executing a villainous design; only it is strange that Absalom could so easily come...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
Then said Absalom, call now Hushai the Archite also,.... For it seems he was not at the council board at this time; whether he was as yet admitted to it is not certain: there is something very remarkable in the providence of God, to incline Absalom to have the opinion of Hushai upon this point, when the counsel of Ahithophel was so universally...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
And when Hushai was come to Absalom,.... Into the council chamber, very probably: Absalom spake unto him, saying, Ahithophel hath spoken after this manner; and then related the counsel he had given as before: shall we do [after] his saying? is it right to proceed on this scheme, and carry it into execution? if not, speak thou; thy mind freely,...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
And Hushai said to Absalom,.... Having leave to give his opinion freely: the counsel that Ahithophel hath given [is] not good at this time; he owns that Ahithophel was a good counsellor, and that the counsel he gave was for the most part, if not always, good, but what he gave at this time was not so; the wisest of men may sometimes be mistaken....
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
For (said Hushai) thou knowest thy father and his men, that they [be] mighty men,.... Men of courage and valour, and not such weak-handed and weak-hearted men, and so easily intimidated, as Ahithophel suggests: and they [be] chafed in their minds; or "bitter in soul" (f); not merely filled with trouble and anguish, and depressed in their spirits,...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
Behold, he is hid now in some pit, or in some [other] place,.... Some lurking place, as he was acquainted with many when he fled from Saul, and where he preserved himself from him; so that he could never take him, as he would now from Absalom, as he insinuates: but this is not all; not only by this means he would shelter himself, and be in safety;...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
And he also [that is] valiant, whose heart is as the heart of a lion, shall utterly melt,.... That is, whoever should hear of Absalom's forces, or a part of them, being routed, would be intimidated, though ever so courageous, or of such a lion-like temper and disposition; and even Ahithophel himself, notwithstanding all his boasted courage, his...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
Therefore I counsel,.... My advice is as follows: that all Israel be generally gathered unto thee, from Dan even to Beersheba, as the sand that [is] by the sea for multitude: not all the inhabitants of the land, but such as are fit to bear arms, or that were soldiers, employed in military affairs, in keeping garrisons, guarding the coasts, c. even...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
So shall we come upon him in some place where he shall be found,.... For such a numerous army, which would be spread abroad, could not well fail of finding him out, let him be in what lurking place he would; whereas he might lie concealed, and escape so small a number as twelve thousand men: and we will light upon him as the dew falleth upon the...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
Moreover, if he be gotten into a city,.... A strong fortified place, thinking to secure himself there, where he might hold out against those that were risen against him; the former part of the account supposes him in the field, where he would soon be detected, if hidden in a pit or any other place, or if he appeared openly would quickly be...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
And Absalom and all the men of Israel said,.... That is, the elders, who before approved of the counsel of Ahithophel, 2 Samuel 17:4; the counsel of Hushai the Archite [is] better than the counsel of Ahithophel; it appeared to them most plausible, and most likely to be attended with success: for the Lord had appointed to defeat the good counsel of...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
Then said Hushai unto Zadok and to Abiathar the priests,.... After he was returned from the council board, he immediately went to these priests, who he knew were in the interest of David, and to whom he was to communicate, and by them transmit, what passed at Jerusalem, 2 Samuel 15:35; thus and thus did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the elders of...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
Now therefore send quickly and tell David,.... What has been advised to on both sides: saying, lodge not this night in the plains of the wilderness; which reached to Jericho; this advice he gave, because he knew not whether his counsel would be abode by, though preferred; Absalom and the elders of Israel might change their minds, and Ahithophel...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz stayed by Enrogel,.... Who were the sons of the priests; these did not go into the city of Jerusalem with their parents, when they were sent back by David, 2 Samuel 15:27; but stayed by their direction at this place, which was near Jerusalem, and is called in the Targum the fuller's fountain, where they washed their...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
Nevertheless, a lad saw them, and told Absalom,.... Saw them conversing with the girl, and departing for David's army; according to Josephus (o), they were some horsemen that saw them about two furlongs or a quarter mile from Jerusalem, and acquainted Absalom with it: but they went both of them away quickly; made all the haste they could with...