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<TITLE>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible [Second Samuel, Chapter XVIII].</TITLE>
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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1708)
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>S E C O N D S A M U E L</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. XVIII.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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This chapter puts a period to Absalom's rebellion and life, and so
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makes way for David to his throne again, whither the next chapter
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brings him back in peace and triumph. We have here,
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I. David's preparations to engage the rebels,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+18:1-5">ver. 1-5</A>.
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II. The total defeat of Absalom's party and their dispersion,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+18:6-8">ver. 6-8</A>.
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III. The death of Absalom, and his burial,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+18:9-18">ver. 9-18</A>.
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IV. The bringing of the tidings to David, who tarried at Mahanaim,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+18:19-32">ver. 19-32</A>.
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V. His bitter lamentation for Absalom,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+18:33">ver. 33</A>.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="2Sa18_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Sa18_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Sa18_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Sa18_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Sa18_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Sa18_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Sa18_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Sa18_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Preparations for Battle.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1023.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 And David numbered the people that <I>were</I> with him, and set
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captains of thousands and captains of hundreds over them.
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2 And David sent forth a third part of the people under the
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hand of Joab, and a third part under the hand of Abishai the son
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of Zeruiah, Joab's brother, and a third part under the hand of
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Ittai the Gittite. And the king said unto the people, I will
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surely go forth with you myself also.
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3 But the people answered, Thou shalt not go forth: for if we
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flee away, they will not care for us; neither if half of us die,
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will they care for us: but now <I>thou art</I> worth ten thousand of
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us: therefore now <I>it is</I> better that thou succour us out of the
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city.
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4 And the king said unto them, What seemeth you best I will do.
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And the king stood by the gate side, and all the people came out
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by hundreds and by thousands.
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5 And the king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying,
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<I>Deal</I> gently for my sake with the young man, <I>even</I> with
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Absalom. And all the people heard when the king gave all the
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captains charge concerning Absalom.
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6 So the people went out into the field against Israel: and the
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battle was in the wood of Ephraim;
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7 Where the people of Israel were slain before the servants of
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David, and there was there a great slaughter that day of twenty
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thousand <I>men.</I>
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8 For the battle was there scattered over the face of all the
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country: and the wood devoured more people that day than the
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sword devoured.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Which way David raised an army here, and what reinforcements were sent
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him, we are not told; many, it is likely, from all the coasts of
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Israel, at least from the neighbouring tribes, came in to his
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assistance, so that, by degrees, he was able to make head against
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Absalom, as Ahithophel foresaw. Now here we have,</P>
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<P>
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I. His army numbered and marshalled,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+18:1,2"><I>v.</I> 1, 2</A>.
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He had, no doubt, committed his cause to God by prayer, for that was
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his relief in all his afflictions; and then he took an account of his
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forces. Josephus says they were, in all, but about 4000. These he
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divided into regiments and companies, to each of which he appointed
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proper officers, and then disposed them, as is usual, into the right
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wing, the left wing, and the centre, two of which he committed to his
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two old experienced generals, Joab and Abishai, and the third to his
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new friend Ittai. Good order and good conduct may sometimes be as
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serviceable in an army as great numbers. Wisdom teaches us to make the
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best of the strength we have, and let it reach to the utmost.</P>
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<P>
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II. Himself over-persuaded not to go in person to the battle. He was
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Absalom's false friend that persuaded him to go, and served his pride
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more than his prudence; David's true friends would not let him go,
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remembering what they had been told of Ahithophel's design to <I>smite
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the king only.</I> David showed his affection to them by being willing
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to venture with them
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+18:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>),
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and they showed theirs to him by opposing it. We must never reckon it
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an affront to be gain-said for our good, and by those that therein
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consult our interest.
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1. They would by no means have him to expose himself, for (say they)
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<I>thou art worth</I> 10,000 <I>of us.</I> Thus ought princes to be
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valued by their subjects, who, for their safety, must be willing to
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expose themselves.
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2. They would not so far gratify the enemy, who would rejoice more in
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his fall than in the defeat of the whole army.
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3. He might be more serviceable to them by tarrying in the city, with
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a reserve of his forces there, whence he might send them recruits.
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That may be a post of real service which yet is not a post of danger.
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The king acquiesced in their reasons, and changed his purpose
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+18:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>):
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<I>What seemeth to you best I will do.</I> It is no piece of wisdom to
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be stiff in our resolutions, but to be willing to hear reason, even
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from our inferiors, and to be overruled by their advice when it appears
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to be for our own good. Whether the people's prudence had an eye to it
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or no, God's providence wisely ordered it, that David should not be in
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the field of battle; for then his tenderness would certainly have
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interposed to save the life of Absalom, whom God had determined to
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destroy.</P>
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<P>
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III. The charge he gave concerning Absalom,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+18:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>.
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When the army was drawn out, rank and file, Josephus says, he
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encouraged them, and prayed for them, but withal bade them all take
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heed of doing Absalom any hurt. How does he render good for evil!
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Absalom would have David only smitten. David would have Absalom only
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spared. What foils are these to each other! Never was unnatural hatred
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to a father more strong than in Absalom; nor was ever natural affection
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to a child more strong than in David. Each did his utmost, and showed
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what man is capable of doing, how bad it is possible for a child to be
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to the best of fathers and how good it is possible for a father to be
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to the worst of children; as if it were designed to be a resemblance of
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man's wickedness towards God and God's mercy towards man, of which it
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is hard to say which is more amazing. "<I>Deal gently,</I>" says David,
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"by all means, <I>with the young man, even with Absalom, for my
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sake;</I> he is a young man, rash and heady, and his age must excuse
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him; he is mine, whom I love; if you love me, be not severe with him."
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This charge supposes David's strong expectation of success. Having a
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good cause and a good God, he doubts not but Absalom would lie at their
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mercy, and therefore bids them deal gently with him, spare his life and
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reserve him for his judgment.</P>
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<P>
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Bishop Hall thus descants on this: "What means this ill-placed love?
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This unjust mercy? Deal gently with a traitor? Of all traitors, with a
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son? Of all sons, with an Absalom? That graceless darling of so good a
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father? And all this, for thy sake, whose crown, whose blood, he hunts
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after? For whose sake must he be pursued, if forborne for thine? Must
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the cause of the quarrel be the motive of mercy? Even in the holiest
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parents, nature may be guilty of an injurious tenderness, of a bloody
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indulgence. But was not this done in type of that immeasurable mercy of
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the true King and Redeemer of Israel, who prayed for his persecutors,
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for his murderers, <I>Father, forgive them? Deal gently with them for
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my sake.</I>" When God sends and affliction to correct his children, it
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is with this charge, "Deal gently with them for my sake;" for he knows
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our frame.</P>
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<P>
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IV. A complete victory gained over Absalom's forces. The battle was
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fought <I>in the wood of Ephraim</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+18:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>),
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so called from some memorable action of the Ephraimites there, though
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it lay in the tribe of Gad. David thought fit to meet the enemy with
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his forces at some distance, before they came up to Mahanaim, lest he
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should bring that city into trouble which had so kindly sheltered him.
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The cause shall be decided by a pitched battle. Josephus represents the
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fight as very obstinate, but the rebels were at length totally routed
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and 20,000 of them slain,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+18:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>.
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Now they smarted justly for their treason against their lawful prince,
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their uneasiness under so good a government, and their base ingratitude
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to so good a governor; and they found what it was to take up arms for a
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usurper, who with his kisses and caresses had wheedled them into their
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own ruin. Now where are the rewards, the preferments, the golden days,
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they promised themselves from him? Now they see what it is to take
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counsel <I>against the Lord and his anointed,</I> and to think of
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<I>breaking his bands asunder.</I> And that they might see that God
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fought against them,
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1. They are conquered by a few, an army, in all probability, much
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inferior to theirs in number.
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2. By that flight with which they hoped to save themselves they
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destroyed themselves. <I>The wood,</I> which they sought to for
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shelter, <I>devoured more than the sword,</I> that they might see how,
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when they thought themselves safe from David's men, and said, <I>Surely
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the bitterness of death is past,</I> yet the justice of God pursued
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them and suffered them not to live. What refuge can rebels find from
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divine vengeance? The pits and bogs, the stumps and thickets, and, as
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the Chaldee paraphrase understands it, the wild beasts of the wood,
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were probably the death of multitudes of the dispersed distracted
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Israelites, besides the 20,000 that were slain with the sword. God
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herein fought for David, and yet fought against him; for all these that
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were slain were his own subjects, and the common interest of his
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kingdom was weakened by the slaughter. The Romans allowed no triumph
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for a victory in a civil war.</P>
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<A NAME="2Sa18_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Sa18_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Sa18_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Sa18_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Sa18_13"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Sa18_14"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Sa18_15"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Sa18_16"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Sa18_17"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Sa18_18"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Death of Absalom.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1023.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>9 And Absalom met the servants of David. And Absalom rode upon
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a mule, and the mule went under the thick boughs of a great oak,
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and his head caught hold of the oak, and he was taken up between
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the heaven and the earth; and the mule that <I>was</I> under him went
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away.
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10 And a certain man saw <I>it,</I> and told Joab, and said, Behold,
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I saw Absalom hanged in an oak.
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11 And Joab said unto the man that told him, And, behold, thou
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sawest <I>him,</I> and why didst thou not smite him there to the
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ground? and I would have given thee ten <I>shekels</I> of silver, and
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a girdle.
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12 And the man said unto Joab, Though I should receive a
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thousand <I>shekels</I> of silver in mine hand, <I>yet</I> would I not put
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forth mine hand against the king's son: for in our hearing the
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king charged thee and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Beware that none
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<I>touch</I> the young man Absalom.
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13 Otherwise I should have wrought falsehood against mine own
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life: for there is no matter hid from the king, and thou thyself
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wouldest have set thyself against <I>me.</I>
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14 Then said Joab, I may not tarry thus with thee. And he took
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three darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of
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Absalom, while he <I>was</I> yet alive in the midst of the oak.
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15 And ten young men that bare Joab's armour compassed about
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and smote Absalom, and slew him.
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16 And Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from
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pursuing after Israel: for Joab held back the people.
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17 And they took Absalom, and cast him into a great pit in the
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wood, and laid a very great heap of stones upon him: and all
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Israel fled every one to his tent.
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18 Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and reared up for
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himself a pillar, which <I>is</I> in the king's dale: for he said, I
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have no son to keep my name in remembrance: and he called the
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pillar after his own name: and it is called unto this day,
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Absalom's place.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Here is Absalom quite at a loss, at his wit's end first, and then at
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his life's end. He that began the fight, big with the expectation of
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triumphing over David himself, with whom, if he had had him in his
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power, he would not have dealt gently, is now in the greatest
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consternation, when he <I>meets the servants of David,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+18:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>.
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Though they were forbidden to meddle with him, he durst not look them
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in the face; but, finding they were near him, he clapped spurs to his
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mule and made the best of his way, through thick and thin, and so rode
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headlong upon his own destruction. Thus <I>he that fleeth from the fear
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shall fall into the pit, and he that getteth up out of the pit shall be
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taken in the snare,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+48:44">Jer. xlviii. 44</A>.
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David is inclined to spare him, but divine justice passes sentence upon
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him as a traitor, and sees it executed--that he hang by the neck, be
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caught alive, be embowelled, and his body dispose of disgracefully.</P>
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<P>
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I. He is hanged by the neck. Riding furiously, neck or nothing,
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<I>under the thick boughs of a great oak</I> which hung low and had
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never been cropped, either the twisted branches, or some one forked
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bough of the oak, caught hold of his head, either by his neck, or, as
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some think, by his long hair, which had been so much his pride, and was
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now justly made a halter for him, and there he hung, so astonished that
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he could not use his hands to help himself or so entangled that his
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hands could not help him, but the more he struggled the more he was
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embarrassed. This set him up for a fair mark to the servants of David,
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and he had the terror and shame of seeing himself thus exposed, while
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he could do nothing for his own relief, neither fight nor fly. Observe
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concerning this,
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1. That his <I>mule went away</I> from <I>under him,</I> as if glad to
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get clear of such a burden, and resign it to the ignominious tree. Thus
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the whole creation groans under the burden of man's corruption, but
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shall shortly be delivered from its load,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+8:21,22">Rom. viii. 21, 22</A>.
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2. The he hung <I>between heaven and earth,</I> as unworthy of either,
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as abandoned of both; earth would not keep him, heaven would not take
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him, hell therefore opens her mouth to receive him.
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3. That this was a very surprising unusual thing. It was fit that it
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should be so, his crime being so monstrous: if, in his flight, his mule
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had thrown him, and left him half-dead upon the ground, till the
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servants of David had come up and dispatched him, the same thing would
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have been done as effectually; but that would have been too common a
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fate for so uncommon a criminal. God will here, as in the case of those
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other rebels, Dathan and Abiram, <I>create a new thing,</I> that it may
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be understood how much <I>this man has provoked the Lord,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+16:29,30">Num. xvi. 29, 30</A>.
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Absalom is here hung up, <I>in terrorem--to frighten</I> children from
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disobedience <I>to their parents.</I> See
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+30+17">Prov. xxx. 17</A>.</P>
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<P>
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II. He is caught alive by one of the servants of David, who goes
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directly and tells Joab in what posture he found that archrebel,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+18:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>.
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|
Thus was he set up for a spectacle, as well as a mark, that the
|
|
righteous might see him and <I>laugh at him</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+52:6">Ps. lii. 6</A>),
|
|
|
|
while he had this further vexation in his breast, that of all the
|
|
friends he had courted and confided in, and thought he had sure in his
|
|
interest, though he hung long enough to have been relieved, yet he had
|
|
none at hand to disentangle him. Joab chides the man for not
|
|
dispatching him
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+18:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>),
|
|
|
|
telling him, if he had given that bold stroke, he would have rewarded
|
|
him with ten half-crowns and a girdle, that is, a captain's commission,
|
|
which perhaps was signified by the delivery of a belt or girdle; see
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+22:21">Isa. xxii. 21</A>.
|
|
|
|
But the man, though zealous enough against Absalom, justified himself
|
|
in not doing it: "Dispatch him!" says he, "not for all the world: it
|
|
would have cost my head: and thou thyself wast witness to the king's
|
|
charge concerning him
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+18:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>),
|
|
|
|
and, for all thy talk, wouldst have been my prosecutor if I had done
|
|
it,"
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+18:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>.
|
|
|
|
Those that love the treason hate the traitor. Joab could not deny this,
|
|
nor blame the man for his caution, and therefore makes him no answer,
|
|
but breaks off the discourse, under colour of haste
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+18:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>I may not tarry thus with thee.</I> Superiors should consider a
|
|
reproof before they give it, lest they be ashamed of it afterwards, and
|
|
find themselves unable to make it good.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. He is (as I may say) embowelled and quartered, as traitors are, so
|
|
pitifully mangled is he as he hangs there, and receives his death in
|
|
such a manner as to see all its terrors and feel all its pain.
|
|
|
|
1. Joab throws three darts into his body, which put him, no doubt, to
|
|
exquisite torment, while he is yet <I>alive in the midst of the
|
|
oak,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+18:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>.
|
|
|
|
I know not whether Joab can be justified in this direct disobedience to
|
|
the command of his sovereign; was this to <I>deal gently with the young
|
|
man?</I> Would David have suffered him to do it if he had been upon the
|
|
spot? Yet this may be said for him, that, while he broke the order of a
|
|
too indulgent father, he did real service both to his king and country,
|
|
and would have endangered welfare of both if he had not done it.
|
|
<I>Salus populi suprema lex--The safety of the people is the supreme
|
|
law.</I>
|
|
|
|
2. Joab's young men, ten of them, smite him, before he is dispatched,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+18:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>.
|
|
|
|
They surrounded him, made a ring about him in triumph, and then
|
|
<I>smote him and slew him.</I> So <I>let all they enemies perish, O
|
|
Lord!</I> Joab hereupon sounds a retreat,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+18:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>.
|
|
|
|
The danger is over, now that Absalom is slain; the people will soon
|
|
return to their allegiance to David, and therefore no more blood shall
|
|
be spilt; no prisoners are taken, to be tried as traitors and made
|
|
examples; let every man return to his tent; they are all the king's
|
|
subjects, all his good subjects again.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
IV. His body is disposed of disgracefully
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+18:17,18"><I>v.</I> 17, 18</A>):
|
|
|
|
They <I>cast it into a great pit in the wood;</I> they would not bring
|
|
it to his father (for that circumstance would but have added to his
|
|
grief), nor would they preserve it to be buried, according to his
|
|
order, but threw it into the next pit with indignation. Now where is
|
|
the beauty he had been so proud of and for which he had been so much
|
|
admired? Where are his aspiring projects, and the castles he had built
|
|
in the air? His thoughts perish, and he with them. And, to signify how
|
|
heavy <I>his iniquity lay upon his bones,</I> as the prophet speaks
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+32:27">Ezek. xxxii. 27</A>),
|
|
|
|
they raised a <I>great heap of stones upon him,</I> to be a monument of
|
|
his villany, and to signify that he ought to have been stoned as a
|
|
rebellious son,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+21:21">Deut. xxi. 21</A>.
|
|
|
|
Travelers say that the place is taken note of to this day, and that it
|
|
is common for passengers to throw a stone to this heap, with words to
|
|
this purport: <I>Cursed be the memory of rebellious Absalom, and cursed
|
|
for ever be all wicked children that rise up in rebellion against their
|
|
parents.</I> To aggravate the ignominy of Absalom's burial, the
|
|
historian takes notice of a pillar he had erected in the valley of
|
|
Kidron, near Jerusalem, to be a monument for himself, and keep his name
|
|
in remembrance
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+18:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>),
|
|
|
|
at the foot of which, it is probable, he designed to be buried. What
|
|
foolish insignificant projects do proud men fill their heads with! And
|
|
what care do many people take about the disposal of their bodies, when
|
|
they are dead, that have no care at all what shall become of their
|
|
precious souls! Absalom had three sons
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+14:27"><I>ch.</I> xiv. 27</A>),
|
|
|
|
but, it seems, now he had none; God had taken them away by death; and
|
|
justly is a rebellious son written childless. To make up the want, he
|
|
erects this pillar for a memorial; yet in this also Providence crosses
|
|
him, and a rude heap of stones shall be his monument, instead of this
|
|
marble pillar. Thus <I>those that exalt themselves shall be abased.</I>
|
|
His care was to have his name kept in remembrance, and it is so, to his
|
|
everlasting dishonour. He could not be content in the obscurity of the
|
|
rest of David's sons, of whom nothing is recorded but their names, but
|
|
would be famous, and is therefore justly made for ever infamous. The
|
|
pillar shall bear his name, but not to his credit; it was designed for
|
|
Absalom's glory, but proved Absalom's folly.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="2Sa18_19"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Sa18_20"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Sa18_21"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Sa18_22"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Sa18_23"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Sa18_24"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Sa18_25"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Sa18_26"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Sa18_27"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Sa18_28"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Sa18_29"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Sa18_30"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Sa18_31"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Sa18_32"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Sa18_33"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>David's Grief for Absalom.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1023.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>19 Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok, Let me now run, and bear
|
|
the king tidings, how that the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> hath avenged him of his
|
|
enemies.
|
|
20 And Joab said unto him, Thou shalt not bear tidings this
|
|
day, but thou shalt bear tidings another day: but this day thou
|
|
shalt bear no tidings, because the king's son is dead.
|
|
21 Then said Joab to Cushi, Go tell the king what thou hast
|
|
seen. And Cushi bowed himself unto Joab, and ran.
|
|
22 Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok yet again to Joab, But
|
|
howsoever, let me, I pray thee, also run after Cushi. And Joab
|
|
said, Wherefore wilt thou run, my son, seeing that thou hast no
|
|
tidings ready?
|
|
23 But howsoever, <I>said he,</I> let me run. And he said unto him,
|
|
Run. Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and overran Cushi.
|
|
24 And David sat between the two gates: and the watchman went
|
|
up to the roof over the gate unto the wall, and lifted up his
|
|
eyes, and looked, and behold a man running alone.
|
|
25 And the watchman cried, and told the king. And the king
|
|
said, If he <I>be</I> alone, <I>there is</I> tidings in his mouth. And he
|
|
came apace, and drew near.
|
|
26 And the watchman saw another man running: and the watchman
|
|
called unto the porter, and said, Behold <I>another</I> man running
|
|
alone. And the king said, He also bringeth tidings.
|
|
27 And the watchman said, Me thinketh the running of the
|
|
foremost is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok. And the
|
|
king said, He <I>is</I> a good man, and cometh with good tidings.
|
|
28 And Ahimaaz called, and said unto the king, All is well. And
|
|
he fell down to the earth upon his face before the king, and
|
|
said, Blessed <I>be</I> the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> thy God, which hath delivered up the
|
|
men that lifted up their hand against my lord the king.
|
|
29 And the king said, Is the young man Absalom safe? And
|
|
Ahimaaz answered, When Joab sent the king's servant, and <I>me</I> thy
|
|
servant, I saw a great tumult, but I knew not what <I>it was.</I>
|
|
30 And the king said <I>unto him,</I> Turn aside, <I>and</I> stand here.
|
|
And he turned aside, and stood still.
|
|
31 And, behold, Cushi came; and Cushi said, Tidings, my lord
|
|
the king: for the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> hath avenged thee this day of all them
|
|
that rose up against thee.
|
|
32 And the king said unto Cushi, Is the young man Absalom safe?
|
|
And Cushi answered, The enemies of my lord the king, and all that
|
|
rise against thee to do <I>thee</I> hurt, be as <I>that</I> young man <I>is.</I>
|
|
33 And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over
|
|
the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son
|
|
Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O
|
|
Absalom, my son, my son!
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Absalom's business is done; and we are now told,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. How David was informed of it. He staid behind at the city of
|
|
Mahanaim, some miles from the wood where the battle was, and in the
|
|
utmost border of the land. Absalom's scattered forces all made homeward
|
|
toward Jordan, which was the contrary way from Mahanaim, so that his
|
|
watchmen could not perceive how the battle went, till an express came
|
|
on purpose to bring advice of the issue, which the king sat in the gate
|
|
expecting to hear,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+18:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. Cushi was the man Joab ordered to carry the tidings
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+18:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>),
|
|
|
|
an <I>Ethiopian,</I> so his name signifies, and some think that he was
|
|
so by birth, a black that waited on Joab, probably one of the ten that
|
|
had helped to dispatch Absalom
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+18:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>)
|
|
|
|
as some think, though it was dangerous for one of those to bring the
|
|
news to David, lest his fate should be the same with theirs that
|
|
reported to him Saul's death, and Ish-bosheth's.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. Ahimaaz, the young priest (one of those who brought David
|
|
intelligence of Absalom's motions,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+17:17"><I>ch.</I> xvii. 17</A>),
|
|
|
|
was very forward to be the messenger of these tidings, so transported
|
|
was he with joy that this cloud was blown over; let him go and tell the
|
|
king that <I>the Lord hath avenged him of his enemies,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+18:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
This he desired, not so much in hope of a reward (he was above that) as
|
|
that he might have the pleasure and satisfaction of bringing the king,
|
|
whom he loved, this good news. Joab knew David better than Ahimaaz did,
|
|
and that the tidings of Absalom's death, which must conclude the story,
|
|
would spoil the acceptableness of all the rest; and he loves Ahimaaz
|
|
too well to let him be the messenger of those tidings
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+18:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>);
|
|
|
|
they are fitter to be brought by a footman than by a priest. However,
|
|
when Cushi was gone, Ahimaaz begged hard for leave to run after him,
|
|
and with great importunity obtained it,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+18:22,23"><I>v.</I> 22, 23</A>.
|
|
|
|
One would wonder why he should be so fond of this office, when another
|
|
was employed in it.
|
|
|
|
(1.) Perhaps it was to show his swiftness; observing how heavily Cushi
|
|
ran, and that he took the worse way, though the nearest, he had a mind
|
|
to show how fast he could run, and that he could go the furthest way
|
|
about and yet beat Cushi. No great praise for a priest to be swift of
|
|
foot, yet perhaps Ahimaaz was proud of it.
|
|
|
|
(2.) Perhaps it was in prudence and tenderness to the king that he
|
|
desired it. He knew he could get before Cushi, and therefore was
|
|
willing to prepare the king, by a vague and general report, for the
|
|
plain truth which Cushi was ordered to tell him. If bad news must come,
|
|
it is best that it come gradually, and will be the better borne.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. They are both discovered by the watchman on the gate of Mahanaim,
|
|
Ahimaaz first
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+18:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>),
|
|
|
|
for, though Cushi had the lead, Ahimaaz soon outran him; but presently
|
|
after Cushi appeared,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+18:26"><I>v.</I> 26</A>.
|
|
|
|
(1.) When the king hears of one running alone he concludes he is an
|
|
express
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+18:25"><I>v.</I> 25</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>If he be alone, there are tidings in his mouth;</I> for if they had
|
|
been beaten, and were flying back from the enemy, there would have been
|
|
many.
|
|
|
|
(2.) When he hears it is Ahimaaz he concludes he brings good news,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+18:27"><I>v.</I> 27</A>.
|
|
|
|
Ahimaaz, it seems, was so famous for running that he was known by it at
|
|
a distance, and so eminently good that it is taken for granted, if he
|
|
be the messenger, the news must needs be good: <I>He is a good man,</I>
|
|
zealously affected to the king's interest, and would not bring bad
|
|
news. It is pity but the good tidings of the gospel should always be
|
|
brought by good men; and how welcome should the messengers be to us for
|
|
their message sake!</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
4. Ahimaaz is very forward to proclaim the victory
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+18:28"><I>v.</I> 28</A>),
|
|
|
|
cries at a distance, "Peace, there is peace;" peace after war, which is
|
|
doubly welcome. "<I>All is well,</I> my lord O king! the danger is
|
|
over, and we may return, when the king pleases, to Jerusalem." And,
|
|
when he comes near, he tells him the news more particularly. "They are
|
|
all cut off <I>that lifted up their hands against the king;</I>" and,
|
|
as became a priest, while he gives the king the joy of it, he gives God
|
|
the glory of it, the God of peace and war, the God of salvation and
|
|
victory: "<I>Blessed be the Lord thy God,</I> that has done this for
|
|
thee, as thy God, pursuant to the promises made to uphold thy throne,"
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+7:16"><I>ch.</I> vii. 16</A>.
|
|
|
|
When he said this, <I>he fell down upon his face,</I> not only in
|
|
reverence to the king, but in humble adoration of God, whose name he
|
|
praised for this success. By directing David thus to give God thanks
|
|
for his victory, he prepared him for the approaching news of its allay.
|
|
The more our hearts are fixed and enlarged in thanksgiving to God for
|
|
our mercies the better disposed we shall be to bear with patience the
|
|
afflictions mixed with them. Poor David is so much a father that he
|
|
forgets he is a king, and therefore cannot rejoice in the news of a
|
|
victory, till he know whether the <I>young man Absalom be safe,</I> for
|
|
whom his heart seems to tremble, almost as Eli's, in a similar case,
|
|
for the ark of God. Ahimaaz soon discerned, what Joab intimated to him,
|
|
that the death of the king's son would make the tidings of the day very
|
|
unwelcome, and therefore in his report left that matter doubtful; and,
|
|
though he gave occasion to suspect how it was, yet, that the
|
|
thunderclap might not come too suddenly upon the poor perplexed king,
|
|
he refers him to the next messenger, whom they saw coming, for a more
|
|
particular account of it. "When Joab sent the king's servant (namely,
|
|
<I>Cushi) and me thy servant,</I> to bring the news, <I>I saw a great
|
|
tumult,</I> occasioned by something extraordinary, as you will hear by
|
|
and by; but I have nothing to say about it. I have delivered that which
|
|
was my message. Cushi is better able to inform you than I am. I will
|
|
not be the messenger of evil tidings; nor will I pretend to know that
|
|
which I cannot give a perfect account of." He is therefore told to
|
|
stand by till Cushi come
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+18:30"><I>v.</I> 30</A>),
|
|
|
|
and now, we may suppose, he gives the king a more particular account of
|
|
the victory, which was the thing he came to bring the news of.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
5. Cushi, the slow post, proves the sure one, and besides the
|
|
confirmation of the news of the victory which Ahimaaz had
|
|
brought--<I>The Lord has avenged thee of all those that rose up against
|
|
thee</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+18:31"><I>v.</I> 31</A>)--he
|
|
|
|
satisfied the king's enquiry concerning Absalom,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+18:32"><I>v.</I> 32</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>Is he safe?</I> says David. "Yes," says Cushi, "he is safe in his
|
|
grave;" but he tells the news so discreetly that, how unwelcome soever
|
|
the message is, the messenger can have no blame. He did not tell him
|
|
plainly that Absalom was hanged, and run through and buried under a
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|
heap of stones; but only that his fate was what he desired might be the
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fate of all that were traitors against the king, his crown and dignity:
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|
"<I>The enemies of my lord the king,</I> whoever they are, <I>and all
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|
that rise against thee to do thee hurt, be as that young man is;</I> I
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need wish them no worse."</P>
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<P>
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II. How David received the intelligence. He forgets all the joy of his
|
|
deliverance, and is quite overwhelmed with the sorrowful tidings of
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|
Absalom's death,
|
|
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+18:33"><I>v.</I> 33</A>.
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|
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As soon as he perceived by Cushi's reply that Absalom was dead, he
|
|
asked no more questions, but fell into a passion of weeping, retired
|
|
from company, and abandoned himself to sorrow; as he was going up to
|
|
his chamber he was overheard to say "<I>O my son Absalom! my son, my
|
|
son Absalom!</I> alas for thee! I lament thee. How hast thou fallen!
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|
<I>Would God I had died for thee,</I> and that thou hadst remained
|
|
alive this day" (so the Chaldee adds) "<I>O Absalom! my son, my
|
|
son!</I>" I wish I could see reason to think that this arose from a
|
|
concern about Absalom's everlasting state, and that the reason why he
|
|
wished he had <I>died for him</I> was because he had good hopes of his
|
|
own salvation, and of Absalom's repentance if he had lived. It rather
|
|
seems to have been spoken inconsiderately, and in a passion, and it was
|
|
his infirmity. He is to be blamed,
|
|
|
|
1. For showing so great a fondness for a graceless son only because he
|
|
was handsome and witty, while he was justly abandoned both of God and
|
|
man.
|
|
|
|
2. For quarrelling, not only with divine providence, in the disposals
|
|
of which he ought silently to have acquiesced, but with divine justice,
|
|
the judgments of which he ought to have adored and subscribed to. See
|
|
how Bildad argues
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+8:3,4">Job viii. 3, 4</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>If thy children have sinned against him, and he have cast them away
|
|
in their transgression,</I> thou shouldst submit, <I>for doth God
|
|
pervert judgment?</I> See
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+10:3">Lev. x. 3</A>.
|
|
|
|
3. For opposing the justice of the nation, which, as king, he was
|
|
entrusted with the administration of, and which, with other public
|
|
interests, he ought to have preferred before nay natural affection.
|
|
|
|
4. For despising the mercy of his deliverance, and the deliverance of
|
|
his family and kingdom, from Absalom's wicked designs, as if this were
|
|
no mercy, nor worth giving thanks for, because it cost the life of
|
|
Absalom.
|
|
|
|
5. For indulging in a strong passion, and speaking unadvisedly with his
|
|
lips. He now forgot his own reasonings upon the death of another child
|
|
(<I>Can I bring him back again?</I>) and his own resolution to <I>keep
|
|
his mouth as with a bridle</I> when <I>his heart was hot within
|
|
him,</I> as well as his own practice at other times, when he <I>quieted
|
|
himself as a child that was weaned from his mother.</I> The best men
|
|
are not always in an equally good frame. What we over-loved we are apt
|
|
to over-grieve for: in each affection, therefore, it is wisdom to have
|
|
rule over our own spirits and to keep a strict guard upon ourselves
|
|
when that is removed from us which was very dear to us. Losers think
|
|
they may have leave to speak; but little said is soon amended. The
|
|
penitent patient sufferer <I>sitteth alone and keepeth silence</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=La+3:28">Lam. iii. 28</A>),
|
|
|
|
or rather, with <I>Job,</I> says, <I>Blessed be the name of the
|
|
Lord.</I></P>
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|
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