Bible Commentaries
2 Samuel 18

Introduction

Overview

2 Samuel 18:1, David viewing the armies in their march gives them charge of Absalom; 2 Samuel 18:6, The Israelites are sorely smitten in the wood of Ephraim; 2 Samuel 18:9, Absalom, hanging in an oak is slain by Joab, and cast into a pit; 2 Samuel 18:18, Absalom’s place; 2 Samuel 18:19, Ahimaaz and Cushi bring tidings to David; 2 Samuel 18:33, David mourns for Absalom.

Verse 1

numbered: Exodus 17:9, Joshua 8:10

captains of thousands: 1 Samuel 8:12

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 18:4 - by hundreds

Verse 2

a third part: Judges 7:16, Judges 7:19, Judges 9:43

the hand of Joab: 2 Samuel 10:7-10

Ittai: 2 Samuel 15:19-22

I will surely: 2 Samuel 17:11, Psalms 3:6, Psalms 27:1-3, Psalms 118:6-8

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 6:10 - Gittite 2 Samuel 15:18 - Gittites 2 Samuel 20:6 - Abishai 2 Samuel 23:18 - Abishai 1 Kings 2:28 - Joab had 1 Chronicles 11:20 - Abishai Acts 19:30 - the disciples

Verse 3

Thou shalt: 2 Samuel 21:17

if we flee: 2 Samuel 17:2, 1 Kings 22:31, Zechariah 13:7

care for us: Heb. set their heart on us

but now: The particle attah, Now, is doubtless a mistake for the pronoun attah, Thou, and so it appears to have been read by the LXX, Vulgate, and Chaldee, and by two of Kennicott's and De Rossi's manuscripts.

worth: etc. Heb. as ten thousand of us, Lamentations 4:20

succour: Heb. be to succour, 2 Samuel 10:11, Exodus 17:10-12

Reciprocal: Exodus 18:23 - and all this 1 Samuel 14:38 - chief Jeremiah 40:15 - wherefore Acts 19:30 - the disciples Romans 5:7 - some

Verse 4

by the gate: 2 Samuel 18:24, Isaiah 28:6

by hundreds: David's small company, by this time, was greatly recruited; but what its number was we cannot tell. Josephus says it amounted only to 4,000 men. 2 Samuel 18:1, 1 Samuel 29:2

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 19:8 - sat in the gate 1 Chronicles 19:9 - put the battle Matthew 16:18 - and the

Verse 5

Deal gently: 2 Samuel 16:11, 2 Samuel 17:1-4, 2 Samuel 17:14, Deuteronomy 21:18-21, Psalms 103:13, Luke 23:34

all the people: 2 Samuel 18:12

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 26:6 - to Abishai 2 Samuel 18:14 - thrust them 2 Samuel 18:20 - because 2 Samuel 19:1 - General 1 Kings 2:5 - Joab Philemon 1:10 - my son

Verse 6

wood of Ephraim: The wood of Ephraim was evidently beyond Jordan, and apparently not far from Mahanaim; and it is supposed to be the place where the Ephraimites were slain by Jephthah. Joshua 17:15, Joshua 17:18, Judges 12:4-6

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 19:8 - for Israel 2 Samuel 22:44 - delivered

Verse 7

the people: 2 Samuel 2:17, 2 Samuel 15:6, 2 Samuel 19:41-43

a great: Proverbs 11:21, Proverbs 24:21

twenty thousand men: 2 Samuel 2:26, 2 Samuel 2:31, 2 Chronicles 13:16, 2 Chronicles 13:17, 2 Chronicles 28:6

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 4:10 - a very great Psalms 3:6 - ten Psalms 18:38 - General Proverbs 24:22 - their Ecclesiastes 4:16 - they also

Verse 8

in the wood, That is, probably, many more were slain in pursuit through the wood than in the battle, by falling into swamps, pits, etc., and being entangled and cut down by David's men. Such is the relation of Josephus; but the Chaldee, Syriac, and Arabic state, that they were devoured by wild beasts in the wood. Exodus 15:10, Joshua 10:11, Judges 5:20, Judges 5:21, 1 Kings 20:30, Psalms 3:7, Psalms 43:1

devoured more: Heb. multiplied to devour

Reciprocal: Psalms 18:38 - General Proverbs 24:22 - their Ecclesiastes 4:16 - they also

Verse 9

his head: Riding furiously under the thick boughs of a great oak, which hung low and had never been cropped, either the twisted branches, or some low forked bough of the tree, caught him by the neck, or, as some think, by the loops into which his long hair had been pinned, which had been so much his pride, and was now justly made a halter for him. He may have hung so low from the bough, in consequence of the length of his hair, that he could not use his hands to help himself, or so entangled that his hands were bound, so that the more he struggled the more he was embarrassed. This set him up as a fair mark to the servants of David; and although David would have spared his rebellious son, if his orders had been executed, yet he could not turn the sword of Divine justice, in executing the just, righteous sentence of death on this traitorous son. 2 Samuel 18:14, 2 Samuel 14:26, 2 Samuel 17:23, Matthew 27:5

taken up: Deuteronomy 21:23, Deuteronomy 27:16, Deuteronomy 27:20, Job 18:8-10, Job 31:3, Psalms 63:9, Psalms 63:10, Proverbs 20:20, Proverbs 30:17, Jeremiah 48:44, Mark 7:10, Galatians 3:13

Reciprocal: Genesis 36:24 - found Leviticus 19:19 - thy cattle gender 2 Samuel 3:3 - Absalom 2 Samuel 13:29 - mule Psalms 55:15 - Let death Ezekiel 17:20 - I will spread John 12:32 - if

Verse 10

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 21:6 - hang Proverbs 30:17 - eye Galatians 3:13 - for

Verse 11

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 19:13 - room of Joab Psalms 143:3 - smitten Proverbs 1:19 - every

Verse 12

receive: etc. Heb. weigh upon mine hand

in our hearing: 2 Samuel 18:5

Beware: etc. Heb. Beware, whosoever ye be, of the, etc

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 19:1 - General 2 Samuel 20:6 - Abishai 1 Kings 2:5 - Joab Psalms 55:20 - put

Verse 13

wrought: 2 Samuel 1:15, 2 Samuel 1:16, 2 Samuel 4:10-12

for there is no: 2 Samuel 14:19, 2 Samuel 14:20, Hebrews 4:13

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 28:9 - wherefore

Verse 14

with thee: Heb. before thee

thrust them: 2 Samuel 18:5, Judges 4:21, Judges 5:26, Judges 5:31, Psalms 45:5, 1 Thessalonians 5:3

midst: Heb. heart, Matthew 12:40

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 12:10 - the sword 2 Samuel 18:9 - his head 2 Samuel 19:1 - General 2 Samuel 19:10 - is dead 2 Samuel 23:5 - Although 1 Kings 2:5 - Joab 1 Kings 2:28 - Joab had 1 Chronicles 3:2 - Absalom Job 20:25 - drawn Psalms 35:8 - into Psalms 55:15 - Let death Psalms 119:96 - I have seen Proverbs 30:17 - eye Galatians 3:13 - for

Verse 15

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 12:10 - the sword 1 Kings 2:28 - Joab had Psalms 35:8 - into Proverbs 17:11 - General Ecclesiastes 10:8 - that Galatians 3:13 - for

Verse 16

blew the trumpet: 2 Samuel 2:28, 2 Samuel 20:22, Numbers 10:2-10, 1 Corinthians 14:8

Reciprocal: Judges 9:55 - General

Verse 17

laid: This was the ancient method of burying, whether heroes or traitors; the heap of stones being designed to perpetuate the memory of the event, whether good or bad. The Arabs in general make use of no other monument than a heap of stones over a grave. Thus, in an Arabic poem, it is related, that Hatim the father, and Adi the grandfather of Kais, having been murdered, at a time before Kais was capable of reflection, his mother kept it a profound secret; and in order to guard him against having any suspicion, she collected a parcel of stone on two hillocks in the neighbourhood, and told her son that the one was the grave of his father, and the other of his grandfather. The ancient cairns in Ireland and Scotland, and the tumuli in England, are of this kind. Joshua 7:26, Joshua 8:29, Joshua 10:27, Proverbs 10:7, Jeremiah 22:18, Jeremiah 22:19

Reciprocal: Genesis 31:46 - Gather Genesis 35:20 - the pillar 2 Kings 14:12 - they fled Psalms 119:96 - I have seen Ecclesiastes 3:5 - to cast Acts 5:6 - General

Verse 18

reared up: 1 Samuel 15:12

the king's: Genesis 14:17

I have no son: 2 Samuel 14:27, Job 18:16, Job 18:17, Psalms 109:13, Jeremiah 22:30

he called: Genesis 11:4, 1 Samuel 15:12, Psalms 49:11, Daniel 4:30

Absalom's place: Josephus says there was in his time, about two furlongs from Jerusalem, a marble pillar called Absalom's hand, as it is in the Hebrew - see note on 1 Samuel 15:12, and there is one shown to the present day, in the valley of Jehoshaphat, which, though comparatively a modern structure, probably occupies the site of the original one set up by Absalom. Genesis 11:9, Acts 1:18, Acts 1:19

Reciprocal: Genesis 4:17 - the name Genesis 28:18 - set it Genesis 35:20 - the pillar 1 Chronicles 3:2 - Absalom Ecclesiastes 2:4 - made Ecclesiastes 3:5 - to cast Isaiah 22:16 - hewed

Verse 19

Ahimaaz: 2 Samuel 18:23, 2 Samuel 18:27-29, 2 Samuel 15:36, 2 Samuel 17:17

avenged him: Heb. judged him from the hand, etc. Psalms 7:6, Psalms 7:8, Psalms 7:9, Psalms 9:4, Psalms 9:16, Psalms 10:14, Psalms 10:18, Romans 12:19

Reciprocal: Genesis 24:54 - Send me Judges 11:36 - forasmuch 2 Samuel 4:8 - the Lord 2 Samuel 18:29 - Is the young man Absalom safe 2 Samuel 18:31 - the Lord 2 Samuel 22:48 - avengeth me 1 Chronicles 6:8 - Ahimaaz Proverbs 17:11 - General Jeremiah 51:31 - post

Verse 20

bear tidings: Heb. be a man of tidings, 2 Samuel 17:16-21

because: 2 Samuel 18:5, 2 Samuel 18:27, 2 Samuel 18:29, 2 Samuel 18:33

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 19:1 - General

Verse 22

howsoever: Heb. be what may

ready: or, convenient, Romans 1:28, Ephesians 5:4

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 3:6 - General 2 Samuel 18:29 - Is the young man Absalom safe 1 Kings 11:22 - let me go 2 Kings 2:17 - they urged 1 Chronicles 6:8 - Ahimaaz

Verse 23

overran Cushi: John 20:4

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 18:19 - Ahimaaz 1 Kings 11:22 - let me go 2 Kings 2:17 - they urged

Verse 24

between: 2 Samuel 18:4, 1 Samuel 4:13

the watchman: 2 Kings 9:17-20, Isaiah 21:6-9, Isaiah 21:11, Isaiah 21:12, Ezekiel 33:2-7

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 19:8 - sat in the gate Jeremiah 48:19 - ask Habakkuk 2:1 - tower

Verse 26

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 7:10 - the porter

Verse 27

thinketh: Heb. I see, 2 Kings 9:20

He is a good: 1 Kings 1:42, Proverbs 25:13, Proverbs 25:25, Isaiah 52:7, Romans 10:15

Reciprocal: Genesis 24:54 - Send me 2 Samuel 18:19 - Ahimaaz 2 Samuel 18:20 - because 1 Chronicles 6:8 - Ahimaaz Acts 11:24 - he was Romans 5:7 - a good

Verse 28

All is well: or, Peace be to thee, Heb. Peace, he fell down upon his face, This act was not only in reverence to the king, but in humble adoration of God, whose name he praises for this victory. 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. 2 Samuel 1:2, 2 Samuel 14:4

Blessed: 2 Samuel 22:27, Genesis 14:20, Genesis 24:27, 2 Chronicles 20:26, Psalms 115:1, Psalms 124:6, Psalms 144:1, Psalms 144:2, Revelation 19:1-3

delivered up: Heb. shut up, 1 Samuel 24:18, 1 Samuel 26:8, Psalms 31:8

Reciprocal: Genesis 24:54 - Send me Exodus 18:10 - General 1 Samuel 25:6 - Peace be both 2 Samuel 18:31 - the Lord Psalms 55:18 - He hath

Verse 29

Is the young man Absalom safe: Heb. is there peace to, etc. I saw a great. 2 Samuel 18:19, 2 Samuel 18:20, 2 Samuel 18:22

Verse 31

Tidings: Heb. Tidings is brought

the Lord: 2 Samuel 18:19, 2 Samuel 18:28, 2 Samuel 22:48, 2 Samuel 22:49, Deuteronomy 32:35, Deuteronomy 32:36, Psalms 58:10, Psalms 94:1-4, Psalms 124:2, Psalms 124:3, Luke 18:7, Luke 18:8, cushi was the man Joab ordered to carry the tidings to David. He was an Ethiopian, as his name signifies, and some think he was so by birth - a black, who waited on Joab, probably one of the ten who had helped to dispatch Absalom; 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 the death of Saul and Ishbosheth to him.

Reciprocal: Judges 11:36 - forasmuch 2 Samuel 4:8 - the Lord Daniel 4:19 - My Lord

Verse 32

The enemies: Thus Cushi obliquely and slowly informs David of the death of his son Absalom. Judges 5:31, Psalms 68:1, Psalms 68:2, Daniel 4:19

Reciprocal: Genesis 37:14 - see whether it be well with 1 Samuel 25:26 - now let Job 27:7 - General Psalms 109:20 - Let this

Verse 33

O my son: 2 Samuel 19:4

would God: 2 Samuel 12:10-23, Psalms 103:13, Proverbs 10:1, Proverbs 17:25, James 5:17

Reciprocal: Genesis 21:11 - because Genesis 44:30 - his life Exodus 16:3 - Would Judges 11:35 - rent his clothes 2 Samuel 3:3 - Absalom 2 Samuel 3:32 - lifted 2 Samuel 13:36 - very sore 2 Samuel 14:1 - toward Absalom 2 Samuel 18:20 - because 2 Samuel 19:1 - General 1 Chronicles 3:2 - Absalom Job 1:19 - they are dead Psalms 3:1 - when Proverbs 17:21 - that Proverbs 19:13 - foolish Luke 8:52 - all Acts 26:29 - I would 2 Corinthians 12:15 - though 1 Thessalonians 4:13 - ye sorrow