2 Samuel 15

2 Samuel 15:1

FIfty men] That is, a retinue and guard which he thought fit for him who was heir to the crown.

2 Samuel 15:2

of the gate] To wit, of the kings court, appointed to be the place of Judicature.

came] Hebr. to come.

of the tribes] That is, of this or that city, situated in such or such a tribe.

2 Samuel 15:3

there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee] Or, none will hear thee from the king downward: That is, to examine thy cause, and to do thee justice: which was a base slander, as appeareth, Chap. 8. 15.

2 Samuel 15:4

Oh that] So Gaal, Judg. 9. 29.

2 Samuel 15:5

any man] That is, without respect of persons, poor or rich, to shew that he onely respected justice and the common good.

2 Samuel 15:6

stole] To wit, from David his father, whose they were by right and duty, unto himself, to whom they belonged not.

2 Samuel 15:7

after fourty yeers] It is uncertain from what time these fourty yeers are to be reckoned: Some would have it, from the beginning of Sauls reign, when the monarchie in Israel begun; Some, from the beginning of Davids reign, Chap. 5. 5. But the most probable opinion is, That they are to be computed from the time that David was first anointed king, 1 Sam. 16.

pay my vow, which] Or, pay my vow in Hebron, which, &c.

2 Samuel 15:8

Geshur] Where he had lived as an exile three yeers.

serve the Lord] By offering a peace-offering or sacrifice of thanksgiving, which was lawfull to do in any place.

2 Samuel 15:10

sent spies] To draw the people to his party, who were already too much enclined towards him, vers. 6. and to discover how the chief in every tribe stood affected towards him.

reigneth] That is, is anointed king in Hebron, with all regall ceremonies, and is so accepted and proclaimed by the people, Chap. 19. 10.

2 Samuel 15:11

were called] Namely, to the feast of the peace-offering, not knowing any thing of his rebellion, 1 Samuel 9:13. & 16. 3, 5.

2 Samuel 15:12

Giloh] A city in Judah, Joshua 15:51.

2 Samuel 15:14

bring] Heb. thrust.

the city] That is, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, if they make resistance, and stand in our defence.

2 Samuel 15:15

appoint] Heb. choose

2 Samuel 15:16

houshold] That is, his courtiers and officers.

after him] Heb. at his feet.

2 Samuel 15:17

far off] To wit, from Jerusalem.

2 Samuel 15:18

Cherethites] Which were his guard. See Chap. 8. 18. 1 Kings 1:38.

2 Samuel 15:19

the Gittite] Who was captain of the six hundred Gittites that came from Gath, and as some suppose, the king of Gaths son.

the king] That is, Absalom, whom they have anointed king.

a stranger] And therefore hast no reason to hazard thy life with me, and for my sake, and being none of mine house, but a stranger, the new king will neither suspect nor hurt thee, or thy followers.

2 Samuel 15:20

yesterday] That is, but a little while since.

make thee go] Heb. make thee wander in going.

brethren] That is, thy countrey men and followers.

mercy] That is, God recompense thy faithfulnesse to me, with his chief blessings.

2 Samuel 15:22

passe over] That is, the river Kidron, vers. 23. which lay between the city and the mount of Olives.

2 Samuel 15:23

countrey] All the people inhabiting about Jerusalem.

all the people] To wit, which accompanied David.

Kidren] Called John 18:1, Cedron.

wildernesse] Which was east-ward from Jerusalem, between Jerusalem and Jordan.

2 Samuel 15:24

Zadok] To wit, the second priest, Chap. 8. 17. and Abiathar the high priest.

bearing] Which was the charge of the Kohathites, Numbers 4:4.

went up] That is, as it is likely, to the mount of Olives, from whence he viewed the people as they passed by with David out of Jerusalem over the brook Kidron.

2 Samuel 15:25

his habitation] That is, his tabernacle or tent, in which the ark stood, the sign of Gods grace and presence.

2 Samuel 15:26

no delight] That is, if he doth not accept of me, but is pleased to try and correct me further, I wholly submit to his will.

2 Samuel 15:27

a scer?] 1 Samuel 9:9. That is, who as a prophet consultest with God by Urim, and a teacher of the people, who now most of all need thy presence and guidance.

2 Samuel 15:28

come word] Till you give me notice of what shall be done in the city, and the new kings court.

2 Samuel 15:30

and wept as he went up] Heb. going up and weeping.

covered] In token of mourning and humiliation, according to the manner of close mourners, Ch. 19. 4. Esther 6:12. Jeremiah 14:3.

bare-foot] As a sign of sorrow and shame, Isai. 20. 3, 4.

2 Samuel 15:31

foolishnesse] Which prayer God heard and granted, Chap. 16. 21. and 17. 14, 23.

2 Samuel 15:32

the mount] That is, of Olives, turning himself towards mount Sion, where the tent was pitched, in which was the ark, the sign of Gods presence, and type of Christ; to which, when they prayed, they used to turn their faces, 1 King. 8. 44, 48. Daniel 6:10.

coat rent] See Chap. 1. 2.

earth] In sign of deep humiliation. See Joshua 7:6. 1 Samuel 4:12. 2 Samuel 13:19.

2 Samuel 15:33

a burden] Altogether unprofitable and troublesome.

2 Samuel 15:35

hast thou not] That is, they are surely there. See Judg. 4. 6. and they will be ready to assist thee with their counsell, and all their endeavours.

2 Samuel 15:36

they have there] To wit, as David thought, who sent them away to the city together, not knowing that by their fathers command they stayed at En-rogel, Chap. 17. 17.