Bible Commentaries
2 Samuel 15

Verse 1

it came to pass . Compare Psalms 3:0 and chapters 15-18. David was now fifty-six, Absalom twenty-four, Solomon six.

horses. A sign of his pride (Deuteronomy 17:16 , Deuteronomy 17:20 ).

men . Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 .

run before . To clear the way. Mark of royalty or dignity. (Still done in Cairo.) Compare 1 Samuel 8:11 , 1Sa 8:15 . 1 Kings 1:5 ; 1 Kings 18:46 .

Verse 2

rose = used to rise, &c.

Verse 3

matters : i.e. plea, cause, or suit.

no man = no one.

Verse 6

hearts . Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6 , for affections and adhesion.

men . Hebrew. 'enosh. App-14 .

Verse 7

forty years : i.e. from David's anointing (1 Samuel 16:13 ): i.e. 974-934.

my vow, which I have vowed. Figure of speech Polyptoton ( App-6 ) = my solemn vow.

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah . App-4 .

Hebron . Where he was born, and had friends.

Verse 8

vowed a vow = made a solemn vow. Figure of speech Polyptoton. App-6 .

Verse 12

sent for . Septuagint reads "sent and called".

Ahithophel . David's counsellor. Compare Psalms 41:9 ; Psalms 55:13 . See note on "Uriah", 2 Samuel 11:3 .

his city . Compare Joshua 15:51 .

offered sacrifices . See App-43 .

increased . Compare Psalms 3:1 .

Verse 14

evil . Hebrew. App-44 .

city . Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject), for its inhabitants. App-6 .

Verse 15

Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .

appoint = choose.

Verse 17

a place that was far off . Hebrew. Bethhammer-hah. Probably a proper name.

Verse 18

Gittites . From Gath, the city of Goliath, now David's choicest followers.

Verse 19

strainger = foreigner.

Verse 20

mercy = lovingkindness, or grace.

truth = faithfulness. Septuagint and Syriac read "Jehovah will deal with thee in lovingkindness and faithfulness".

Verse 23

all : i, e. all the country round him. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of the Whole). App-6 .

country. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject) for the people. Figure of speech Prosopopceia. App-6 .

Verse 24

lo. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .

God = ha-Elohim (with art.) = the [triune] God. App-4 .

Verse 25

if I shall find favour, &c. God's grace is the basis of all blessing. Compare Numbers 14:8 . Deuteronomy 10:15 .Deuteronomy 22:20 . 1 Kings 10:9 . 2 Chronicles 9:8 . Psalms 18:19 ; Psalms 41:11 ; Psalms 86:2 (marg). Acts 7:46 .

Verse 26

as = according as.

Verse 28

See. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .

Verse 30

Olivet . Name due to the Vulgate Oliveti in Acts 1:12 .

wept. Compare Luke 19:41 .

head covered . Symbol for self-condemnation.

barefoot . Symbol of mourning. Isaiah 20:2 , Isaiah 20:4 .Ezekiel 24:17 .

Verse 31

told David . The news came when the trial was greatest. Compare Psalms 41:9 with Psalms 55:12-14

Verse 32

the top . Doubtless a high place where God was worshipped. Nob was near where the Tabernacle once stood.

God . Hebrew. Elohim . App-4 .

behold . Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .

Hushai. David's friend. Compare 2 Samuel 15:37 ; 2 Samuel 16:16 . 1 Chronicles 27:33 .

Archite . Probably -a native of Archi, on frontier of Benjamin and Ephraim.

coat = the long tunic with sleeves.

Verse 35

hast thou not . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .