mh_parser/vol_split/10 - 2Samuel/Chapter 17.xml

<div2 id="iiSam.xviii" n="xviii" next="iiSam.xix" prev="iiSam.xvii" progress="46.74%" title="Chapter XVII">
<h2 id="iiSam.xviii-p0.1">S E C O N D   S A M U E L</h2>
<h3 id="iiSam.xviii-p0.2">CHAP. XVII.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="iiSam.xviii-p1">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 (<scripRef id="iiSam.xviii-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.17.1-2Sam.17.4" parsed="|2Sam|17|1|17|4" passage="2Sa 17:1-4">ver. 1-4</scripRef>), but Hushai recommends
deliberation (<scripRef id="iiSam.xviii-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.17.5-2Sam.17.13" parsed="|2Sam|17|5|17|13" passage="2Sa 17:5-13">ver.
5-13</scripRef>); and Hushai's counsel is agreed to (<scripRef id="iiSam.xviii-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.17.14" parsed="|2Sam|17|14|0|0" passage="2Sa 17:14">ver. 14</scripRef>), for vexation at which
Ahithophel hangs himself, <scripRef id="iiSam.xviii-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.17.23" parsed="|2Sam|17|23|0|0" passage="2Sa 17:23">ver.
23</scripRef>. II. Secret intelligence is sent to David (but with
much difficulty) of their proceedings, <scripRef id="iiSam.xviii-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.17.15-2Sam.17.21" parsed="|2Sam|17|15|17|21" passage="2Sa 17:15-21">ver. 15-21</scripRef>. III. David marches to the
other side Jordan (<scripRef id="iiSam.xviii-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.17.22-2Sam.17.24" parsed="|2Sam|17|22|17|24" passage="2Sa 17:22-24">ver.
22-24</scripRef>), and there his camp is victualled by some of his
friends in that country, <scripRef id="iiSam.xviii-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.17.27-2Sam.17.29" parsed="|2Sam|17|27|17|29" passage="2Sa 17:27-29">ver.
27-29</scripRef>. IV. Absalom and his forces march after him into
the land of Gilead on the other side Jordan, <scripRef id="iiSam.xviii-p1.8" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.17.25-2Sam.17.26" parsed="|2Sam|17|25|17|26" passage="2Sa 17:25,26">ver. 25, 26</scripRef>. There we shall, in the next
chapter, find the cause decided by a battle: hitherto, every thing
has looked black upon poor David, but now the day of his
deliverance begins to dawn.</p>
<scripCom id="iiSam.xviii-p0.1_1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.17" parsed="|2Sam|17|0|0|0" passage="2Sa 17" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="iiSam.xviii-p0.2_1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.17.1-2Sam.17.14" parsed="|2Sam|17|1|17|14" passage="2Sa 17:1-14" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Sam.17.1-2Sam.17.14">
<h4 id="iiSam.xviii-p1.11">Hushai's Counsel. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiSam.xviii-p1.12">b. c.</span> 1023.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiSam.xviii-p2">1 Moreover Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Let me
now choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue
after David this night:   2 And I will come upon him while he
<i>is</i> weary and weak handed, and will make him afraid: and all
the people that <i>are</i> with him shall flee; and I will smite
the king only:   3 And I will bring back all the people unto
thee: the man whom thou seekest <i>is</i> as if all returned:
<i>so</i> all the people shall be in peace.   4 And the saying
pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of Israel.   5 Then
said Absalom, Call now Hushai the Archite also, and let us hear
likewise what he saith.   6 And when Hushai was come to
Absalom, Absalom spake unto him, saying, Ahithophel hath spoken
after this manner: shall we do <i>after</i> his saying? if not;
speak thou.   7 And Hushai said unto Absalom, The counsel that
Ahithophel hath given <i>is</i> not good at this time.   8
For, said Hushai, thou knowest thy father and his men, that they
<i>be</i> mighty men, and they <i>be</i> chafed in their minds, as
a bear robbed of her whelps in the field: and thy father <i>is</i>
a man of war, and will not lodge with the people.   9 Behold,
he is hid now in some pit, or in some <i>other</i> place: and it
will come to pass, when some of them be overthrown at the first,
that whosoever heareth it will say, There is a slaughter among the
people that follow Absalom.   10 And he also <i>that is</i>
valiant, whose heart <i>is</i> as the heart of a lion, shall
utterly melt: for all Israel knoweth that thy father <i>is</i> a
mighty man, and <i>they</i> which <i>be</i> with him <i>are</i>
valiant men.   11 Therefore I counsel that all Israel be
generally gathered unto thee, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, as the
sand that <i>is</i> by the sea for multitude; and that thou go to
battle in thine own person.   12 So shall we come upon him in
some place where he shall be found, and we will light upon him as
the dew falleth on the ground: and of him and of all the men that
<i>are</i> with him there shall not be left so much as one.  
13 Moreover, if he be gotten into a city, then shall all Israel
bring ropes to that city, and we will draw it into the river, until
there be not one small stone found there.   14 And Absalom and
all the men of Israel said, The counsel of Hushai the Archite
<i>is</i> better than the counsel of Ahithophel. For the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiSam.xviii-p2.1">Lord</span> had appointed to defeat the good
counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiSam.xviii-p2.2">Lord</span> might bring evil upon Absalom.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xviii-p3">Absalom is now in peaceable possession of
Jerusalem; the palace-royal is his own, as are <i>the thrones of
judgment, even the thrones of the house of David.</i> His good
father reigned in Hebron, and only over the tribe of Judah, above
seven years, and was not hasty to destroy his rival; his government
was built upon a divine promise, the performance of which he was
sure of in due time, and therefore he waited patiently in the mean
time. But the young man, Absalom, not only hastens from Hebron to
Jerusalem, but is impatient there till he has destroyed his father,
cannot be content with his throne till he has his life; for his
government is founded in iniquity, and therefore feels itself
tottering and thinks itself obliged to do every thing with
violence. That so profligate a wretch as Absalom should aim at the
life of so good a father is not so strange (there are here and
there monsters in nature); but that the body of the people of
Israel, to whom David had been so great a blessing in all respects,
should join with him in his attempt, is very amazing. But their
fathers often mutinied against Moses. The best of parents, and the
best of princes will not think it strange if they be made uneasy by
those who should be their support and joy, when they consider what
sons and what subjects David himself had.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xviii-p4">David and all that adhered to him must be
cut off. This was resolved, for aught that appears, <i>nemine
contradicente</i>—<i>unanimously.</i> None durst mention his
personal merits, and the great services done to his country, in
opposition to this resolve, nor so much as ask, "<i>Why, what evil
has he done</i> to forfeit his crown, much less his head?" None
durst propose that his banishment should suffice, for the present,
nor that agents should be sent to treat with him to resign the
crown, which, having so tamely quitted the city, they might think
he would easily be persuaded to do. It was not long since that
Absalom himself fled for a crime, and David contented himself with
his being an exile, though he deserved death, nay, he mourned and
longed for him; but so perfectly void of all natural affection is
this ungrateful Absalom that he eagerly thirsts after his own
father's blood. It is past dispute that David must be destroyed;
all the question is how he may be destroyed.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xviii-p5">I. Ahithophel advises that he be pursued
immediately, this very night, with a flying army (which he himself
undertakes the command of), that the king only be smitten and his
forces dispersed, and then the people that were now for him would
fall in with Absalom of course, and there would not be such a long
war as had been between the house of Saul and David: <i>The man
whom thou seekest is as if all returned,</i> <scripRef id="iiSam.xviii-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.17.1-2Sam.17.3" parsed="|2Sam|17|1|17|3" passage="2Sa 17:1-3"><i>v.</i> 1-3</scripRef>. By this it appears that
Absalom had declared his design to be upon David's life, and
Ahithophel concurs with him in it. <i>Smite the shepherd, and the
sheep will be scattered,</i> and be an easy prey to the wolf. Thus
he contrives to include the war in a little compass, by fighting
neither with small nor great but the king of Israel only, and to
conclude it in a little time, by falling upon him immediately.
Nothing could be more fatal to David than the taking of these
measures. It was too true that he was weary and weak-handed, that a
little thing would make him afraid, else he would not have fled
from his house upon the first alarm of Absalom's rebellion; it was
probable enough that upon a fierce attack, especially in the night,
the small force he had would be put into confusion and disorder,
and it would bean easy thing to <i>smite the king only,</i> and
then the business would be done, the whole nation would be reduced,
of course, and <i>all the people,</i> says he, <i>shall be in
peace.</i> See how a general ruin is called by usurpers a
<i>general peace;</i> but thus the devil's palace is in peace,
while he, as a strong man armed, keeps it. Compare with this the
plot of Caiaphas (that second Ahithophel) against the Son of David,
to crush his interest by destroying him. Let that <i>one man die
for the people,</i> <scripRef id="iiSam.xviii-p5.2" osisRef="Bible:John.11.50" parsed="|John|11|50|0|0" passage="Joh 11:50">John xi.
50</scripRef>. <i>Kill the heir, and the inheritance shall be
ours,</i> <scripRef id="iiSam.xviii-p5.3" osisRef="Bible:Matt.21.38" parsed="|Matt|21|38|0|0" passage="Mt 21:38">Matt. xxi. 38</scripRef>.
But the counsel of them both was turned into foolishness. Yet the
children of light may, in their generation, learn wisdom from the
children of this world. What our hand finds to do let us do
quickly, and with all our might. It is prudence to be vigorous and
expeditious, and not to lose time, particularly in our spiritual
warfare. If Satan flee from us, let us follow our blow. Those that
have quarrelled with crowned heads have generally observed the
decorum of declaring only against their evil counsellors, and
calling them to an account (<i>The king himself can do no
wrong,</i> it is they that do it); but Absalom's bare-faced villany
strikes at the king directly, nay, at the king only; for (would you
think it?) this saying, <i>I will smite the king only,</i> pleased
Absalom well (<scripRef id="iiSam.xviii-p5.4" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.17.4" parsed="|2Sam|17|4|0|0" passage="2Sa 17:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>),
nor had he so much sense of humor and virtue left him to pretend to
startle at it or even to be reluctant in this barbarous and
monstrous resolution. What good can stand before the heat of a
furious ambition?</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xviii-p6">II. Hushai advises that they be not too
hasty in pursuing David, but take time to draw up all their force
against him, and to overpower him with numbers, as Ahithophel had
advised to take him by surprise. Now Hushai, in giving this
counsel, really intended to serve David and his interest, that he
might have time to send him notice of his proceedings, and that
David might gain time to gather an army and to remove into those
countries beyond Jordan, in which, lying more remote, Absalom had
probably least interest. Nothing would be of greater advantage to
David in this juncture than time to turn himself in; that he may
have this, Hushai counsels Absalom to do nothing rashly, but to
proceed with caution and secure his success by securing his
strength. Now,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xviii-p7">1. Absalom gave Hushai a fair invitation to
advise him. All the elders of Israel approved of Ahithophel's
counsel, yet God overruled the heart of Absalom not to proceed upon
it, till he had consulted Hushai (<scripRef id="iiSam.xviii-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.17.5" parsed="|2Sam|17|5|0|0" passage="2Sa 17:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>): <i>Let us hear what he
saith.</i> Herein he thought he did wisely (two heads are better
than one), but God taketh the wise in their own craftiness. See Mr.
Poole's note on this.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xviii-p8">2. Hushai gave very plausible reasons for
what he said.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xviii-p9">(1.) He argued against Ahithophel's
counsel, and undertook to show the danger of following his advice.
It is with modesty, and all possible deference to Ahithophel's
settled reputation, that he begs leave to differ from him,
<scripRef id="iiSam.xviii-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.17.7" parsed="|2Sam|17|7|0|0" passage="2Sa 17:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>. He
acknowledges that the counsel of Ahithophel is usually the best,
and such as may be relied on; but, with submission to that noble
peer, he is of opinion that his counsel is not good at this time,
and that it is by no means safe to venture so great a cause as that
in which they are now engaged upon so small a number, and such a
hasty sally, as Ahithophel advises, remembering the defeat of
Israel before Ai, <scripRef id="iiSam.xviii-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:Josh.7.4" parsed="|Josh|7|4|0|0" passage="Jos 7:4">Josh. vii.
4</scripRef>. It has often proved of bad consequence to despise an
enemy. See how plausibly Hushai reasoned. [1.] He insisted much
upon it that David was a great soldier, a man of great conduct,
courage, and experience; all knew and owned this, even Absalom
himself: "<i>Thy father is a man of war</i> (<scripRef id="iiSam.xviii-p9.3" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.17.8" parsed="|2Sam|17|8|0|0" passage="2Sa 17:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>), <i>a mighty man</i> (<scripRef id="iiSam.xviii-p9.4" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.17.10" parsed="|2Sam|17|10|0|0" passage="2Sa 17:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>), and not so weary and
weak-handed as Ahithophel imagines. His retiring from Jerusalem
must be imputed, not to his cowardice, but his prudence." [2.] His
attendants, though few, were mighty men (<scripRef id="iiSam.xviii-p9.5" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.17.8" parsed="|2Sam|17|8|0|0" passage="2Sa 17:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>), valiant men (<scripRef id="iiSam.xviii-p9.6" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.17.10" parsed="|2Sam|17|10|0|0" passage="2Sa 17:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>), men of celebrated bravery and
versed in all the arts of war. Ahithophel, who perhaps had worn the
gown more than the sword, would find himself an unequal match for
them. <i>One of them would chase a thousand.</i> [3.] They were all
exasperated against Absalom, who was the author of all this
mischief, were chafed in their minds, and would fight with the
utmost fury; so that, what with their courage, and what with their
rage, there would be no standing before them, especially for such
raw soldiers as Absalom's generally were. Thus did he represent
them as formidable as Ahithophel had made them despicable. [4.] He
suggested that probably David and some of his men would lie in
ambush, in some pit, or other close place, and fall upon Absalom's
soldiers before they were aware the terror of which would put them
to flight; and the defeat, though but of a small party, would
dispirit all the rest, especially their own consciences at the same
time accusing them of treason against one that, they were sure, was
not only God's anointed, <i>but a man after his own heart,</i>
<scripRef id="iiSam.xviii-p9.7" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.17.9" parsed="|2Sam|17|9|0|0" passage="2Sa 17:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>. "It will soon
be given out that there is a slaughter among Absalom's men, and
then they will all make the best of their way, and the heart of
Ahithophel himself, though now it seems like the heart of a lion,
will utterly melt. In short, he will not find it so easy a matter
to deal with David and his men as he thinks it is; and, if he be
foiled, we shall all be routed."</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xviii-p10">(2.) He offered his own advice, and gave
his reasons; and, [1.] He counselled that which he knew would
gratify Absalom's proud vain-glorious humour, though it would not
be really serviceable to his interest. <i>First,</i> He advised
that all Israel should be gathered together, that is, the militia
of all the tribes. His taking it for granted that they are all for
him, and giving him an opportunity to see them all together under
his command, would gratify him as much as any thing.
<i>Secondly,</i> He advises that Absalom go to battle in his own
person, as if he looked upon him to be a better soldier than
Ahithophel, more fit to give command and have the honour of the
victory, insinuating that Ahithophel had put a slight upon him in
offering to go without him. See how easy it is to betray proud men,
by applauding them, and feeding their pride. [2.] He counselled
that which seemed to secure the success, at last, infallibly,
without running any hazard. For, if they could raise such vast
numbers as they promised themselves, wherever they found David they
could not fail to crush him. <i>First,</i> If in the field, they
should fall upon him, as the dew that covers the face of the
ground, and cut off all his men with him, <scripRef id="iiSam.xviii-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.17.12" parsed="|2Sam|17|12|0|0" passage="2Sa 17:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>. Perhaps Absalom was better
pleased with the design of cutting off all the men that were with
him, having a particular antipathy to some of David's friends, than
with Ahithophel's project of smiting the king only. Thus Hushai
gained his point by humouring his revenge, as well as his pride.
<i>Secondly,</i> If in a city, they need not fear conquering him,
for they should have hands enough, if occasion were, to draw the
city itself into its river with ropes, <scripRef id="iiSam.xviii-p10.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.17.13" parsed="|2Sam|17|13|0|0" passage="2Sa 17:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>. This strange suggestion, how
impracticable soever, being new, served for an amusement, and
recommended itself by pleasing the fancy, for they would all smile
at the humour of it.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xviii-p11">(3.) By all these arts, Hushai gained not
only Absalom's approbation of his advice, but the unanimous
concurrence of this great counsel of war; they all agreed that the
counsel of Hushai was better than the counsel of Ahithophel,
<scripRef id="iiSam.xviii-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.17.14" parsed="|2Sam|17|14|0|0" passage="2Sa 17:14"><i>v.</i> 14</scripRef>. See here,
[1.] How much the policy of man can do; If Hushai had not been
there, Ahithophel's counsel would certainly have prevailed; and,
though all had given their opinion, nothing could be really more
for Absalom's interest than that which he advised; yet Hushai, with
his management, brings them all over to his side, and none of them
are aware that he says all this in favour of David and his
interest, but all say as he says. See how the unthinking are
imposed upon by the designing part of mankind; what tools, what
fools, great men make of one another by their intrigues; and what
tricks there are often in courts and councils, which those are
happiest that are least conversant with. [2.] See how much more the
providence of God can do. Hushai managed the plot with dexterity,
yet the success is ascribed to God, and his agency on the minds of
those concerned: <i>The Lord had appointed to defeat the good
counsel of</i> Ahithophel. Be it observed, to the comfort of all
that fear God, he turns all men's hearts as the rivers of water,
though <i>they know not the thoughts of the Lord. He stands in the
congregation of the mighty,</i> has an overruling hand in all
counsels and a negative voice in all resolves, and laughs at men's
projects against his anointed.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iiSam.xviii-p0.3" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.17.15-2Sam.17.21" parsed="|2Sam|17|15|17|21" passage="2Sa 17:15-21" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Sam.17.15-2Sam.17.21">
<h4 id="iiSam.xviii-p11.3">Information Sent to David. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiSam.xviii-p11.4">b. c.</span> 1023.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiSam.xviii-p12">15 Then said Hushai unto Zadok and to Abiathar
the priests, Thus and thus did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the
elders of Israel; and thus and thus have I counselled.   16
Now therefore send quickly, and tell David, saying, Lodge not this
night in the plains of the wilderness, but speedily pass over; lest
the king be swallowed up, and all the people that <i>are</i> with
him.   17 Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz stayed by En-rogel; for
they might not be seen to come into the city: and a wench went and
told them; and they went and told king David.   18
Nevertheless a lad saw them, and told Absalom: but they went both
of them away quickly, and came to a man's house in Bahurim, which
had a well in his court; whither they went down.   19 And the
woman took and spread a covering over the well's mouth, and spread
ground corn thereon; and the thing was not known.   20 And
when Absalom's servants came to the woman to the house, they said,
Where <i>is</i> Ahimaaz and Jonathan? And the woman said unto them,
They be gone over the brook of water. And when they had sought and
could not find <i>them,</i> they returned to Jerusalem.   21
And it came to pass, after they were departed, that they came up
out of the well, and went and told king David, and said unto David,
Arise, and pass quickly over the water: for thus hath Ahithophel
counselled against you.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xviii-p13">We must now leave David's enemies pleasing
themselves with the thoughts of a sure victory by following
Hushai's counsel, and sending a summons, no doubt, to all the
tribes of Israel, to come to the general rendezvous at a place
appointed, pursuant to that counsel; and we next find David's
friends consulting how to get him notice of all this, that he might
steer his course accordingly. Hushai tells the priests what had
passed in council, <scripRef id="iiSam.xviii-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.17.15" parsed="|2Sam|17|15|0|0" passage="2Sa 17:15"><i>v.</i>
15</scripRef>. But, it should seem, he was not sure but that yet
Ahithophel's counsel might be followed, and was therefore jealous
lest, if he made not the best of his way, the king would be
<i>swallowed up, and all the people that were with him,</i>
<scripRef id="iiSam.xviii-p13.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.17.16" parsed="|2Sam|17|16|0|0" passage="2Sa 17:16"><i>v.</i> 16</scripRef>. Perhaps, as
he was called in to give advice (<scripRef id="iiSam.xviii-p13.3" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.17.5" parsed="|2Sam|17|5|0|0" passage="2Sa 17:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>), so he was dismissed before they
came to that resolve (<scripRef id="iiSam.xviii-p13.4" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.17.14" parsed="|2Sam|17|14|0|0" passage="2Sa 17:14"><i>v.</i>
14</scripRef>) in favour of his advice, or he feared they might
afterwards change their mind. However, it was good to provide
against the worst, and therefore to hasten those valuable lives out
of the reach of these destroyers. Such strict guards did Absalom
set upon all the avenues to Jerusalem that they had much ado to get
this necessary intelligence to David. 1. The young priests that
were to be the messengers were forced to retire secretly out of the
city, by <i>En-rogel,</i> which signifies, as some say, <i>the
fountain of a spy.</i> Surely it went ill with Jerusalem when two
such faithful priests as they were might not be seen to come into
the city. 2. Instructions were sent to them by a poor simple young
woman, who probably went to that well under pretence of fetching
water, <scripRef id="iiSam.xviii-p13.5" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.17.17" parsed="|2Sam|17|17|0|0" passage="2Sa 17:17"><i>v.</i> 17</scripRef>. If
she carried the message by word of mouth, there was danger of her
making some mistake or blunder in it; but Providence can make an
ignorant girl a trusty messenger, and serve its wise counsels by
the foolish things of the world. 3. Yet, by the vigilance of
Absalom's spies, they were discovered, and information was brought
to Absalom of their motions: <i>A lad saw them and told him,</i>
<scripRef id="iiSam.xviii-p13.6" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.17.18" parsed="|2Sam|17|18|0|0" passage="2Sa 17:18"><i>v.</i> 18</scripRef>. 4. They,
being aware that they were discovered, sheltered themselves in a
friend's house in Bahurim, where David had refreshed himself but
just before, <scripRef id="iiSam.xviii-p13.7" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.16.14" parsed="|2Sam|16|14|0|0" passage="2Sa 16:14"><i>ch.</i> xvi.
14</scripRef>. There they were happily hidden in a well, which now,
in summer time, perhaps was dry, <scripRef id="iiSam.xviii-p13.8" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.17.18" parsed="|2Sam|17|18|0|0" passage="2Sa 17:18"><i>v.</i> 18</scripRef>. The woman of the house very
ingeniously covered the mouth of the well with a cloth, on which
she spread corn to dry, so that the pursuers were not aware that
there was a well; else they would have searched it, <scripRef id="iiSam.xviii-p13.9" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.17.19" parsed="|2Sam|17|19|0|0" passage="2Sa 17:19"><i>v.</i> 19</scripRef>. Thus far the woman did
well; but we know not how to justify her further concealing them
with a lie, <scripRef id="iiSam.xviii-p13.10" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.17.20" parsed="|2Sam|17|20|0|0" passage="2Sa 17:20"><i>v.</i> 20</scripRef>.
We must not do evil that good may come of it. However, hereby the
messengers were protected, and the pursuers were defeated and
returned to Absalom without their prey. It was well that Absalom
did not hereupon fall upon their two fathers, Zadok and Abiathar,
as Saul on Ahimelech for his kindness to David: but God restrained
him. Being thus preserved, they brought their intelligence very
faithfully to David (<scripRef id="iiSam.xviii-p13.11" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.17.21" parsed="|2Sam|17|21|0|0" passage="2Sa 17:21"><i>v.</i>
21</scripRef>), with this advice of his friends, that he should not
delay to pass over Jordan, near to which, it seems, he now was.
There, as some think, he penned the <scripRef id="iiSam.xviii-p13.12" osisRef="Bible:Ps.42.1-Ps.42.11 Bible:Ps.43.1-Ps.43.5" parsed="|Ps|42|1|42|11;|Ps|43|1|43|5" passage="Ps 42:1-11,Ps 43:1-5">42nd and 43rd Psalms</scripRef>, looking
back upon <i>Jerusalem from the land of Jordan,</i> <scripRef id="iiSam.xviii-p13.13" osisRef="Bible:Ps.42.6" parsed="|Ps|42|6|0|0" passage="Ps 42:6">Ps. xlii. 6</scripRef>.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iiSam.xviii-p0.4" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.17.22-2Sam.17.29" parsed="|2Sam|17|22|17|29" passage="2Sa 17:22-29" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Sam.17.22-2Sam.17.29">
<h4 id="iiSam.xviii-p13.15">Ahithophel's Death; Absalom's Pursuit of
David. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiSam.xviii-p13.16">b. c.</span> 1023.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiSam.xviii-p14">22 Then David arose, and all the people that
<i>were</i> with him, and they passed over Jordan: by the morning
light there lacked not one of them that was not gone over Jordan.
  23 And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not
followed, he saddled <i>his</i> ass, and arose, and gat him home to
his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged
himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father.
  24 Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom passed over
Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him.   25 And
Absalom made Amasa captain of the host instead of Joab: which Amasa
<i>was</i> a man's son, whose name <i>was</i> Ithra an Israelite,
that went in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah
Joab's mother.   26 So Israel and Absalom pitched in the land
of Gilead.   27 And it came to pass, when David was come to
Mahanaim, that Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of
Ammon, and Machir the son of Ammiel of Lodebar, and Barzillai the
Gileadite of Rogelim,   28 Brought beds, and basons, and
earthen vessels, and wheat, and barley, and flour, and parched
<i>corn,</i> and beans, and lentiles, and parched <i>pulse,</i>
  29 And honey, and butter, and sheep, and cheese of kine, for
David, and for the people that <i>were</i> with him, to eat: for
they said, The people <i>is</i> hungry, and weary, and thirsty, in
the wilderness.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xviii-p15">Here is, I. The transporting of David and
his forces over Jordan, pursuant to the advice he had received from
his friends at Jerusalem, <scripRef id="iiSam.xviii-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.17.22" parsed="|2Sam|17|22|0|0" passage="2Sa 17:22"><i>v.</i>
22</scripRef>. He, and all that were with him, went over in the
night, whether in ferryboats, which probably always plied there, or
through the fords, does not appear. But special notice is taken of
this, that there lacked not one of them: none deserted him, though
his distress was great, none staid behind sick or weary, nor were
any lost or cast away in passing the river. Herein some make him a
type of the Messiah, who said, in a difficult day, <i>Of all that
thou hast given me have I lost none.</i> Having got over Jordan, he
marched many miles forward to Mahanaim, a Levites' city in the
tribe of Gad, in the utmost border of that tribe, and not far from
Rabbah, the chief city of the Ammonites. This city, which
Ishbosheth had made his royal city (<scripRef id="iiSam.xviii-p15.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.2.8" parsed="|2Sam|2|8|0|0" passage="2Sa 2:8"><i>ch.</i> ii. 8</scripRef>), David now made his
head-quarters, <scripRef id="iiSam.xviii-p15.3" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.17.24" parsed="|2Sam|17|24|0|0" passage="2Sa 17:24"><i>v.</i>
24</scripRef>. And now he had time to raise an army wherewith to
oppose the rebels and give them a warm reception.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xviii-p16">II. The death of Ahithophel, <scripRef id="iiSam.xviii-p16.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.17.23" parsed="|2Sam|17|23|0|0" passage="2Sa 17:23"><i>v.</i> 23</scripRef>. He died by his own
hands, <i>felo de se</i>—<i>a suicide.</i> He hanged himself for
vexation that his counsel was not followed; for thereby, 1. He
thought himself slighted, and an intolerable slur cast upon his
reputation for wisdom. His judgment always used to sway at the
counsel-board, but now another's opinion is thought wiser and
better than his. His proud heart cannot bear the affront; it rises
and swells, and the more he thinks of it the more violent his
resentments grow, till they bring him at last to this desperate
resolve not to live to see another preferred before him. All men
think him a wise man, but he thinks himself the only wise man; and
therefore to be avenged upon mankind for not thinking so too, he
will die, that wisdom may die with him. The world is not worthy of
such an oracle as he is, and therefore he will make them know the
want of him. See what real enemies those are to themselves that
think too well of themselves, and what mischiefs those run upon
that are impatient of contempt. That will break a proud man's heart
that will not break a humble man's sleep. 2. He thought himself
endangered and his life exposed. He concluded that, because his
counsel was not followed, Absalom's cause would certainly miscarry,
and then, whoever would find David's mercy, he concluded that he,
who was the greatest criminal, and had particularly advised him to
lie with his father's concubines, must be sacrificed to justice. To
prevent therefore the shame and terror of a public and solemn
execution, he does justice upon himself, and, after his reputation
for wisdom, by this last act puts a far greater disgrace upon
himself than Absalom's privy-council had put upon him, and answers
his name <i>Ahithophel,</i> which signifies, <i>the brother of a
fool.</i> Nothing indicates so much folly as self-murder. Observe,
How deliberately he did it, and of malice prepense against himself;
not in a heat, but he went home to his city, to his house, to do
it; and, which is strange, took time to consider of it, and yet did
it. And, to prove himself <i>compos mentis—in his senses,</i> when
he did it, he first put his household in order, made his will as a
man of sane memory and understanding, settled his estate, balanced
his accounts; yet he that had sense and prudence enough to do this
had not consideration enough to revoke the sentence his pride and
passion had passed upon his own neck, nor so much as to suspend the
execution of it till he saw the event of Absalom's rebellion. Now
herein we may see, (1.) Contempt poured upon the wisdom of man. He
that was more renowned for policy than any man played the fool with
himself more abundantly. <i>Let not the wise man glory in his
wisdom,</i> when he sees him that was so great an oracle dying
<i>as a fool dies.</i> (2.) Honour done to the justice of God. When
the wicked are thus <i>snared in the work of their own hands, and
sunk in a pit of their own digging, the Lord is known by the
judgment which he executeth,</i> and we must say, <i>Higgaion,
Selah;</i> it is a thing to be marked and meditated upon, <scripRef id="iiSam.xviii-p16.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.7.15-Ps.7.16" parsed="|Ps|7|15|7|16" passage="Ps 7:15,16">Ps. vii. 15, 16</scripRef>. (3.) Prayer
answered, and an honest cause served even by its enemies. Now, as
David had prayed, Ahithophel's counsel was <i>turned into
foolishness to himself.</i> Dr. Lightfoot supposes that David
penned the <scripRef id="iiSam.xviii-p16.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.55.1-Ps.55.23" parsed="|Ps|55|1|55|23" passage="Ps 55:1-23">55th Psalm</scripRef>
upon occasion of Ahithophel's being in the plot against him, and
that he is the man complained of (<scripRef id="iiSam.xviii-p16.4" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.17.13" parsed="|2Sam|17|13|0|0" passage="2Sa 17:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>) that had been <i>his equal,
his guide, and his acquaintance;</i> and, if so, this was an
immediate answer to his prayer there (<scripRef id="iiSam.xviii-p16.5" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.17.15" parsed="|2Sam|17|15|0|0" passage="2Sa 17:15"><i>v.</i> 15</scripRef>): <i>Let death seize upon them,
and let them go down quickly into hell.</i> Ahithophel's death was
an advantage to David's interest; for had he digested that affront
(as those must resolve often to do that will live in this world),
and continued his post at Absalom's elbow, he might have given him
counsel afterwards that might have been of pernicious consequence
to David. It is well that that breath is stopped and that head laid
from which nothing could be expected but mischief. It seems, it was
not then usual to disgrace the dead bodies of self-murderers, for
Ahithophel was <i>buried,</i> we may suppose honourably buried,
<i>in the sepulchre of his father,</i> though he deserved no better
than the <i>burial of an ass.</i> See <scripRef id="iiSam.xviii-p16.6" osisRef="Bible:Eccl.8.10" parsed="|Eccl|8|10|0|0" passage="Ec 8:10">Eccl. viii. 10</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xviii-p17">III. Absalom's pursuit of his father. He
had now got all the men of Israel with him, as Hushai advised, and
he himself, at the head of them, <i>passed over Jordan,</i>
<scripRef id="iiSam.xviii-p17.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.17.24" parsed="|2Sam|17|24|0|0" passage="2Sa 17:24"><i>v.</i> 24</scripRef>. Not content
that he had driven his good father to the utmost corner of his
kingdom, he resolved to chase him out of the world. He <i>pitched
in the land of Gilead</i> with all his forces, ready to give David
battle, <scripRef id="iiSam.xviii-p17.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.17.26" parsed="|2Sam|17|26|0|0" passage="2Sa 17:26"><i>v.</i> 26</scripRef>.
Absalom made one Amasa his general (<scripRef id="iiSam.xviii-p17.3" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.17.25" parsed="|2Sam|17|25|0|0" passage="2Sa 17:25"><i>v.</i> 25</scripRef>), whose father was by birth
Jether, an Ishmaelite (<scripRef id="iiSam.xviii-p17.4" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.2.17" parsed="|1Chr|2|17|0|0" passage="1Ch 2:17">1 Chron. ii.
17</scripRef>), but by religion Ithra (as he is here called), an
Israelite; probably he was not only proselyted, but, having married
a near relation of David's, was, by some act of the state,
naturalized, and is therefore called an Israelite. His wife,
Amasa's mother, was Abigail, David's sister, whose other sister,
Zeruiah, was Joab's mother (<scripRef id="iiSam.xviii-p17.5" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.2.16" parsed="|1Chr|2|16|0|0" passage="1Ch 2:16">1 Chron.
ii. 16</scripRef>), so that Amasa was in the same relation to David
that Joab was. In honour to his family, even while he was in arms
against his father, Absalom made him commander-in-chief of all his
forces. Jesse is here called <i>Nahash,</i> for many had two names;
or perhaps this was his wife's name.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xviii-p18">IV. The friends David met with in this
distant country. Even Shobi, a younger brother of the royal family
of the Ammonites, was kind to him, <scripRef id="iiSam.xviii-p18.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.17.27" parsed="|2Sam|17|27|0|0" passage="2Sa 17:27"><i>v.</i> 27</scripRef>. It is probable that he had
detested the indignity which his brother Hanun had done to David's
ambassadors, and for that had received favours from David, which he
now returned. Those that think their prosperity most confirmed know
not but, some time or other, they may stand in need of the kindness
of those that now lie at their mercy, and may be glad to be
beholden to them, which is a reason why we should, as we have
opportunity, <i>do good to all men,</i> for <i>he that watereth
shall be watered also himself,</i> when there is occasion. Machir,
the son of Ammiel, was he that maintained Mephibosheth (<scripRef id="iiSam.xviii-p18.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.9.4" parsed="|2Sam|9|4|0|0" passage="2Sa 9:4"><i>ch.</i> ix. 4</scripRef>), till David eased
him of that charge, and is now repaid for it by that generous man,
who, it seems, was the common patron of distressed princes.
Barzillai we shall hear of again. These, compassionating David and
his men, now that they were weary with a long march, brought him
furniture for his house, <i>beds and basins,</i> and provision for
his table, <i>wheat and barley,</i> &amp;c., <scripRef id="iiSam.xviii-p18.3" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.17.28-2Sam.17.29" parsed="|2Sam|17|28|17|29" passage="2Sa 17:28,29"><i>v.</i> 28, 29</scripRef>. He did not put them
under contribution, did not compel them to supply him, much less
plunder them; but in token of their dutiful affection to him, and
their sincere concern for him in his present straits, of their own
good will they brought in plenty of all that which he had occasion
for. Let us learn hence to be generous and open-handed, according
as our ability is, to all in distress, especially great men, to
whom it is most grievous, and good men, who deserve better
treatment; and see how God sometimes makes up to his people that
comfort from strangers which they are disappointed of in their own
families.</p>
</div></div2>