9  David sends for Jonathan's son, Mephibosheth, Sa2 9:1-6.
Restores to him all the land that was Saul's, and appoints him to eat at his own table, Sa2 9:7-13.

9:1 Of Saul - He saith not of the house of Jonathan, for he knew not of any son he had left, and therefore thought his kindness and obligation was to pass to the next of his kindred. As for Mephibosheth, he was very young and obscure, and possibly concealed by his friends, lest David should cut him off, as hath been usual among princes.

9:5 Machir - This Machir appears to have been a generous man, who entertained Mephibosheth out of mere compassion, not of disaffection to David: for afterwards we find him kind to David himself, when he fled from Absalom. David now little thought, that the time would come, when he himself should need his assistance. Let us be forward to give, because we know not what we ourselves may sometime want.

9:8 Bowed himself - It is good to have the heart humbled under humbling providences. If when divine providence brings our condition down, divine grace brings our spirits down, we shall be easy.

10  David's ambassadors are abused by Hanun, Sa2 10:1-4.
The Ammonites prepare for war and are routed, Sa2 10:5-14.
Their allies, the Syrians rally and are defeated again, Sa2 10:15-19.

10:2 David sent - There had hitherto been friendship between David and him: and therefore the spoils of the children of Ammon are mentioned, chap.Sa2 8:12, by way of anticipation, and with respect to the story here following.

10:4 Shaved - To fasten this is a reproach upon them, and to make them ridiculous and contemptible. Cut off, etc - This was worse than the former, because the Israelites wore no breeches, and so their nakedness was hereby uncovered.

10:19 And served them - And thus at length was fulfilled the promise made to Abraham, and repeated to Joshua, that the borders of Israel should extend as far as the river Euphrates. The son of David sent his ambassadors, his apostles and ministers, to the Jewish church and nation. But they intreated them shamefully, as Hanun did David's, mocked them, abused them, slew them. And this it was that filled the measure of their iniquity, and brought upon them ruin without remedy.

11  David commits adultery with Bathsheba, Sa2 11:1-5.
Endeavours to father the child upon Uriah, Sa2 11:6-13.
Contrives the death of Uriah, Sa2 11:14-25.
Marries Bathsheba, Sa2 11:26-27.

11:1 After - When that year ended, and the next begun, which was in the spring time. When kings - Which is, when the ground is fit for the march of soldiers, and brings forth provision for man and beast. Tarried at Jerusalem - Had he been now in his post, at the head of his forces be had been out of the way of temptation.

11:2 Arose from off his bed - Where he had lain, and slept for some time. And the bed of sloth often proves the bed of lust.Washing herself - In a bath, which was in her garden. Probably from some ceremonial pollution.

11:3 He inquired - Instead of suppressing that desire which the sight of his eyes had kindled, he seeks rather to feed it; and first enquires who she was; that if she were unmarried, he might make her either his wife or his concubine.

11:4 Took her - From her own house into his palace, not by force, but by persuasion. Lay with her - See how all the way to sin is down hill!When men begin, they cannot soon stop themselves.

11:8 Go down - Not doubting but he would there converse with his wife, and so cover their sin and shame.

11:9 The servants - With the king's guard. This he did, by the secret direction of God's wise providence, who would bring David's sin to light.

11:10 Camest - Wearied with hard service and travel, nor did I expect or desire that thou shouldest now attend upon my person, or keep the watch.

11:11 The ark - This it seems, was now carried with them for their encouragement and direction, as was usual. Fields - In tents which are in the fields. His meaning is, now, when God's people are in a doubtful and dangerous condition, it becomes me to sympathize with them, and to abstain even from lawful delights.

11:15 He arose - So far is David from repenting, that he seeks to cover one sin with another. How are the beginnings of sin to be dreaded!For who knows where it will end? David hath sinned, therefore Uriah must die! That innocent, valiant, gallant man, who was ready to die for his prince's honour, must die by his prince's hand! See how fleshly lusts war against the soul, and what devastations they make in that war!How they blind the eyes, fear the conscience, harden the heart, and destroy all sense of honour and justice!

11:27 The mourning - Which was seven days. Nor could the nature of the thing admit of longer delay, lest the too early birth of the child might discover David's sin. Bare a son - By which it appears, That David continued in the state of impenitency for divers months together; and this notwithstanding his frequent attendance upon God's ordinances. Which is an eminent instance of the corruption of man's nature, of the deceitfulness of sin, and of the tremendous judgment of God in punishing one sin, by delivering a man up to another.

12  Nathan delivers and applies his parable, Sa2 12:1-12.
David repents and is forgiven, but punished, Sa2 12:13-14.
The sickness and death of the child, with David's behaviour on the occasion, Sa2 12:15-23.
The birth of Solomon, Sa2 12:24-25.
The taking of Rabbah, Sa2 12:26-31.

12:1 The Lord sent - When the ordinary means did not awaken David to repentance, God takes an extraordinary course. Thus the merciful God pities and prevents him who had so horribly forsaken God. He said - He prudently ushers in his reproof with a parable, after the manner of the eastern nations, that so he might surprize David, and cause him unawares to give sentence against himself.

12:2 Many flocks - Noting David's many wives and concubines.

12:3 Bought - As men then used to buy their wives: or, had procured.

12:5 Is worthy to die - This seems to be more than the fact deserved, or than he had commission to inflict for it, Exo 22:1. But it is observable, that David now when he was most indulgent to himself, and to his own sin, was most severe and even unjust to others; as appears by this passage, and the following relation, ver. Sa2 12:31, which was done in the time of David's impenitent continuance in his sin.

12:7 Thus saith the Lord God - Nathan now speaks, not as a petitioner for a poor man, but as an ambassador from the great God.

12:9 To be thy wife - To marry her whom he had defiled, and whose husband he had slain, was an affront upon the ordinance of marriage, making that not only to palliate, but in a manner to consecrate such villainies.In all this he despised the word of the Lord; (so it is in the Hebrew.) Not only his commandment in general, but the particular word of promise, which God had before sent him by Nathan, that he would build him an house: which sacred promise if he had had a due value for, he would not have polluted his house with lust and blood.

12:10 Never depart - During the residue of thy life.

12:11 Own house - From thy own children and family.Thine eyes - Openly, so that thou shalt know it as certainly as if thou didst see it, and yet not be able to hinder it. And give them - I shall by my providence, give him power over them. Neighbor - To one who is very near thee. But God expresseth this darkly, that the accomplishment of it might not be hindered.

12:13 I have sinned - How serious this confession was, we may see, Psa 51:1-19. Put away thy sin - That is, so far as concerns thy own life.Not die - As by thy own sentence, ver. Sa2 12:5, thou dost deserve, and may expect to be done by my immediate stroke.

12:16 Besought - Supposing the threatening might be conditional, and so the execution of it prevented by prayer. Went - Into his closet.

12:17 Elders - The chief officers of his kingdom and household. He would not - This excessive mourning did not proceed simply from the fear of the loss of the child; but from a deep sense of his sin, and the divine displeasure manifested herein.

12:18 Seventh day - From the beginning of the distemper.

12:20 And came - That is, to the tabernacle, to confess his sin before the Lord, to own his justice in this stroke, to deprecate his just displeasure, to acknowledge God's rich mercy, in sparing his own life; and to offer such sacrifices as were required in such cases.

12:23 I fast - Seeing fasting and prayer cannot now prevail with God for his life. I shall go to him - Into the state of the dead in which he is, and into heaven, where I doubt not I shall find him.

12:24 His wife - Who was now much dejected, both for her former sin, and for the loss of the child. Loved him - That is, the Lord declared to David, that he loved his son, notwithstanding the just cause David had given to God to alienate his affections from him.

12:25 Jedidiah - That is, beloved of the Lord. Because - Either, because of the Lord's love to him, or because the Lord commanded him to do so.

12:26 Royal city - That is, that part of the city where was the king's palace; though now it seems he was retired to a strong fort.

12:27 Of waters - Rabbah was so called because it was encompassed with water.

12:28 Take it - For having taken one part of the city, he concluded the remaining part of it could not long stand out. Lest - Lest I have the honour of taking it.

12:30 The weight - Or rather, the price whereof, etc For the same words both in Hebrew, Greek and Latin, are used, to signify either weight, or price. And the addition of precious stones, which are never valued by the weight of gold, makes this signification most probable.Moreover, the weight might seem too great either for the king of Ammon, or for David to wear it upon his head.

12:31 The people - The words are indefinite, and therefore not necessarily to be understood of all the people; but of the men of war, and especially of those who had been the chief actors of that villainous action against David's ambassadors, and of the dreadful war ensuing upon it; for which, they deserved severe punishments. Altho' indeed there seems to have been too much rigour used; especially, because these deaths were inflicted not only upon those counsellors, who were the only authors of that vile usage of the ambassadors; but upon some number of the people.And therefore it is probable, David exercised this cruelty whilst his heart was hardened, and impenitent; and when he was bereaved of that good spirit of God, which would have taught him more mercy. Saws - He sawed them to death of which punishment, we have examples both in scripture, and in other authors. Brick - kiln - Or, made them to pass through the furnace of Malchen: that is, of Moloch; punishing them with their own sin, and with the same kind of punishment which they had inflicted upon their own children.

13  Amnon ravishes Tamar, Sa2 13:1-20.
Absalom kills him, Sa2 13:21-29.
David mourns: Absalom flees to Geshur, Sa2 13:30-39.

13:1 A sister - His sister by father and mother.

13:2 A virgin - And therefore diligently kept, so he could not get private converse with her.

13:5 My sister - So he calls her, to prevent the suspicion of any dishonest design upon so near a relation. At her hand - Pretending, his stomach was so nice, that he could eat nothing but what he saw dressed, and that by a person whom he much esteemed.

13:9 Out - Out of the frying - pan into the dish.

13:10 Chamber - Amnon lying upon his couch in one chamber where the company were with him, where also she made the cakes before him, first sends all out of that room, and then rises from his couch, and, upon some pretence, goes into another secret chamber.

13:12 Brother - Whom nature both teaches to abhor such thoughts and obliges to defend me from such a mischief with thy utmost hazard, if another should attempt it. Force - Thou shouldst abhor it, if I were willing; but to add violence, is abominable. Israel - Among God's people who are taught better things; who also will be infinitely reproached for such a base action.

13:13 Shame - How can I either endure or avoid the shame?Fools - That is, contemptible to all the people, whereas now thou art heir apparent of the crown. Withhold - This she spoke, because she thought her royal father would dispense with it, upon this extraordinary occasion, to save his first - born son's life:

13:15 Hated her - By the just judgment of God both upon Amnon and David, that so the sin might be made publick, and way for the succeeding tragedies.

13:16 No cause - For me to go. Greater thou the other - This she might truly say, because though the other was in itself a greater sin, yet this was an act of greater cruelty, and a greater calamity to her because it exposed her to publick infamy and contempt, and besides, it turned a private offence into a publick scandal, to the great dishonour of God and of his people, and especially of all the royal family.

13:18 Garment - Of embroidered work.

13:19 Put ashes - To signify her grief for some calamity which had befallen her, and what that was, concurring circumstances easily discovered.Head - In token of grief and shame, as if she were unable and ashamed to shew her face. Crying - To manifest her abhorrency of the fact, and that it was not done by her consent.

13:20 Been with thee - Behold, and imitate the modesty of scripture expressions. Brother - Wherefore thou must forgive and forgot the injury; therefore thy disgracing of him will be a blot to us all; therefore thou wilt not get right from David against him, because he is as near and dear to him as thou; therefore thy dishonour is the less, because thou wast not abused by any mean person, but by a king's son; therefore this evil must be borne, because it cannot be revenged: and thus he covers his design of taking vengeance upon him at the first opportunity. Regard not - So as to torment thyself. Desolate - Through shame and dejection of mind, giving her self up to solitude and retirement.

13:21 Wroth - With Amnon: whom yet he did not punish, at least so severely as he should either from the consciousness of his own guilt in the like kind; or, from that foolish indulgence which he often shewed to his children.

13:22 Spake - That is, he said nothing at all to him, about that business. He neither debated it with him, nor threatened him for it; but seemed willing to pass it by with brotherly kindness. If he had wholly forborne all discourse with him, it would have raised jealousies in Amnon and David.

13:23 Two years - This circumstance of time is noted, as an aggravation of Absalom's malice, which was so implacable: and as an act of policy, that both Amnon and David might more securely comply with his desires.

13:26 Let Amnon - For the king designed (as the following words shew) to keep him at home with him, as being his eldest son, and heir of his kingdom: otherwise Absalom would never have made particular mention of him; which now he was forced to do. Nor did this desire of Amnon's presence want specious pretences, as that seeing the king would not, he who was next to him might, honour him with his company; and that this might be a publick token of friendship between him and his brother, notwithstanding the former occasion of difference.

13:27 Pressed him - It is strange that his urgent desire of Amnon's company raised no suspicion in so wise a king; but God suffered him to be blinded that he might execute his judgments upon David, and bring upon Amnon the just punishment of his lewdness.

13:28 Merry - When he least suspects, and will be most unable to prevent the evil. I - I who am the king's son, and, when Amnon is gone, his heir: who therefore shall easily obtain pardon for you, and will liberally reward you.

13:29 Commanded - Now the threatened sword is drawn in David's house, which will not depart from it. His eldest son falls by it, thro' his own wickedness, and his father by his connivance is accessory to it.

13:37 Talmai - His mother's father, that he might have present protection and sustenance from him; and that by his mediation he might obtain his father's pardon.

13:39 Go forth - And could not he recalled, to visit him, or to send for him. What amazing weakness was this! At first he could not find in his heart, to do justice to the ravisher of his sister! And now he can almost find in his heart to receive into favour the murderer of his brother?How can we excuse David from the sin of Eli; who honoured his sons more than God?

14  The story told David of the widow of Tekoah, Sa2 14:1-20.
Absalom is brought back to Jerusalem, but not to court, Sa2 14:21-24.
An account of Absalom's person and children, Sa2 14:21-27.
He is at length introduced to David, Sa2 14:28-33.

14:1 Was towards - He desired to see him, but was ashamed to shew kindness to one whom God's law and his own conscience obliged him to punish; he wanted therefore a fair pretence, which therefore Joab gave him.

14:2 Anoint - As they used to do when they were out of a mourning state.

14:5 Widow - One of them who most need thy compassion, and whom thou art by God's law obliged in a singular manner to relieve.

14:9 Be guiltless - If through thy forgetfulness or neglect of this my just cause, my adversaries prevail and destroy my son, my desire is, that God would not lay it to the king's charge, but rather to me and mine, so the king may be exempted thereby. Whereby she insinuates, that such an omission will bring guilt upon him; and yet most decently orders her phrase so as not to seem to blame or threaten the king. This sense seems best to agree with David's answer, which shew's that she desired some farther assurances of the king's care.

14:11 Remember - Remember the Lord, in whose presence thou hast made me this promise, and who will be a witness against thee, if thou breakest it.

14:13 Wherefore then - If thou shouldst not permit the avengers of blood to molest me, or to destroy my son, who are but two persons; how unreasonable is it that thou shouldest proceed in thy endeavours to avenge Amnon's blood upon Absalom, whose death would be grievous to the whole commonwealth of Israel, all whose eyes are upon him as the heir of the crown, and a wise, and valiant, and amiable person, unhappy only in this one act of killing Amnon, which was done upon an high provocation, and whereof thou thyself didst give the occasion by permitting Amnon to go unpunished? Faulty - By thy word, and promise, and oath given to me for my son, thou condemnest thyself for not allowing the same equity towards thy own son. It is true, Absalom's case was widely different from that which she had supposed. But David was too well affected to him, to remark that difference, and was more desirous than she could be, to apply that favourable judgment to his own son, which he had given concerning hers.

14:14 We - We shall certainly die, both thou, O king, who art therefore obliged to take care of thy successor, Absalom; and Absalom, who, if he do not die by the hand of justice, must shortly die by the necessity of nature: and Amnon too must have died in the common way of all flesh, if Absalom had not cut him off. Respect - So far as to exempt him from this common law of dying. Not expelled - He hath given laws to this purpose, that the man - slayer who is banished should not always continue in banishment, but upon the High - priest's death return to his own city.

14:15 The people - The truth is, I was even forced to this bold address to thee by the disposition of thy people, who are discontented at Absalom's perpetual banishment, lest, if Absalom by his father - in - law's assistance invade the land, the people who have a great kindness for him, and think he is very hard used, should take up arms.

14:16 Hear - For I know the king is so wise and just, that I assure myself of audience and acceptation. Deliver - To grant my request concerning my son, and consequently the peoples petition concerning Absalom. My son - Implying that her life was bound up in the life of her son, and that she could not outlive his death; (and supposing that it might be David's case also, and would therefore touch him in a tender part, though it were not proper to say it expressly:) and thereby suggesting, that the safety and comfort of the people of Israel, depended upon Absalom's restitution. Inheritance - That is, out of that land which God gave to his people to be their inheritance, and in which alone God hath settled the place of his presence and worship: whereby she intimates the danger of Absalom's living in a state of separation from God, and his house, amongst idolaters.

14:17 Angel - In wisdom, and justice, and goodness.Therefore - Because thou art so wise and gracious to those who in strict justice deserve punishment, God will own and stand by thee in this thy act of grace: or God will prosper thee in thy enterprizes.

14:19 Of Joab - Hast thou not said and done this by Joab's direction. Said - It is even so, thou hast discovered the truth.These words - As to the substance of them, but not as to all the expressions; for these were to be varied as the king's answer gave occasion.

14:20 To fetch - That is, to propose his, and the peoples desire of Absalom's restitution in this parabolical manner. In the earth - Or, in this land, in all thy kingdom; all the counsels and devices of thy subjects.

14:22 Fulfilled - But it seems David had no power to dispense with God's laws, nor to spare any whom God appointed him to destroy: for the laws of God bound the kings and rulers, as well as the people of Israel.How justly did God make this man, whom he had so sinfully spared, a scourge to him?

14:24 Let him turn - Lest whilst be shewed some mercy to Absalom, he should seem to approve of his sin. Likewise by this means Absalom might be drawn to a more thorough humiliation and repentance.

14:25 Beauty - This is noted as the occasion of his pride, and of the people's affection to him.

14:26 Weighed - Others understand this not of the weight, but of the price of his hair.

14:27 Sons - All which died not long after they were born, as may be gathered from chap.Sa2 18:18, where it is said, that Absalom had no son.

14:32 Kill me - For it is better for me to die, than to want the sight and favour of my dear father. Thus he insinuates himself into his father's affections, by pretending such respect and love to him It seems that by this time Absalom having so far recovered his father's favour, began to grow upon him, and take so much confidence as to stand upon his own justification, as if what he had done, had been no iniquity, at least not such as to deserve death. See how easily wise parents may be imposed on by their children, when they are blindly fond of them.

14:33 Kissed - Did the bowels of a father prevail to reconcile him to an impenitent son? And shall penitent sinners question the compassion of him who is the Father of mercy? If Ephraim bemoan himself, God soon bemoans him, with all the expressions of fatherly tenderness. He is a dear son, a pleasant child.

15  Absalom steals the hearts of the people, Sa2 15:1-6.
He conspires against David, Sa2 15:7-12.
David flies from Jerusalem, Sa2 15:13-18.
He confers with Ittai, and passes over Kidron, Sa2 15:19-23.
Sends back Zadok with the ark, Sa2 15:24-29.
His prayer on this occasion, Sa2 15:30-31.
He concerts with Hushai, Sa2 15:32-37.

15:1 Prepared - As being the king's eldest son, now Amnon was dead; for Chileab, who was his eldest brother, Sa2 3:3, was either dead, or incapable of the government. And this course he knew would draw the eyes of the people to him, and make them conclude that David intended him for his successor.

15:2 Early - Thereby making a shew of solicitude for the good of the public, and of every private person. Called him - Preventing him with the offers of his assistance. And as if he were ready to make particular enquiry into the state of his cause.

15:3 See - Upon some very slight hearing of their cause, he approved it, that he might oblige all. No man - None such as will do thee justice.The other sons and relations of the king, and the rest of the judges and rulers under him and them, are wholly corrupted; or, at least not careful and diligent as they should be: and my father being grown in years, is negligent of publick affairs. It is the way of turbulent, aspiring men, to reproach the government they are under. Even David himself, the best of kings, could not escape the worst of censures.

15:7 After forty years - From the change of the government, into a monarchy, which was about ten years before David began to reign.So this fell out about the thirtieth year of his reign.

15:9 Hebron - This place he chose as being an eminent city, and next to Jerusalem, the chief of the tribe of Judah, and the place where his father began his kingdom, which he took for a good omen. And where it is probable he had secured many friends. It was also at a convenient distance from Jerusalem.

15:11 Called - Such as Absalom had picked out as fit for his purpose; such as were of some reputation with the king and people, which would give a countenance to his undertaking, and give occasion to people at first to think that this was done by his father's consent, as being now aged, and infirm, and willing to resign the kingdom to him. It is no new thing, for good men to be made use of by designing men to put a colour upon ill practices.

15:12 Sacrifices - Which he did not in devotion to God; but merely that upon this pretence he might call great numbers of people together.

15:14 Let us flee - For though the fort of Zion was strong, and he might have defended himself there; yet he had not laid in provisions for a long siege; and, if he had been once besieged there, Absalom would have got speedy possession of his whole kingdom; whereas if he marched abroad, he might raise a considerable army for his defence. Besides, the greatest part of Jerusalem could not be well defended against him.

15:16 After him - Or, on foot, which the king chose to do, to humble himself under the hand of God; to encourage his companions in this hard and comfortless march; and to move compassion in his people towards him. Concubines - For he supposed that their sex would protect them, and their relation to David would gain them some respect, or at least, safety from his son.

15:17 Far off - At some convenient distance, tho' not very far.

15:18 Gittites - Or rather strangers, as Ittai their head is called, ver. Sa2 15:19, and they are called his brethren, ver. Sa2 15:20.Probably they were Philistines by birth, born in the city or territory of Gath, as the following words imply, who by David's counsel, and example, were won to embrace the true religion, and had given good proof of their military skill, and valour, and fidelity to the king.

15:19 Thy place - To Jerusalem, where thy settled abode now is.The king - With Absalom who is now made king.An exile - Not much concerned in our affairs, and therefore not fit to be involved in our troubles.

15:20 Brethren - Thy countrymen the Gittites, ver. Sa2 15:18.Mercy, etc - Since I am now unable to recompense thy kindness and fidelity to me, my hearty prayer to God is, that he would shew to thee his mercy, in blessing thee with all sorts of blessings, and his faithfulness in making good all these promises which he had made, not to Israelites only, but to all true hearted proselytes, such as thou art.

15:21 Will thy servant be - He is a friend indeed, who loves at all times, and will cleave to us in adversity. Thus should we cleave to the Son of David, that neither life, nor death may separate us from his love.

15:22 Little ones - For being so deeply engaged for David, he durst not leave his little ones to Absalom's mercy.

15:23 Kidron - Or, Cedron, which was near Jerusalem. The very same brook that Christ passed over when he entered upon his sufferings, Joh 18:1.Wilderness - Which was between Jerusalem and Jericho.

15:24 Went up - From the ark to the city, which was on higher ground, that so he being high - priest, might use his authority with the people, to persuade them to do their duty; and there he staid until all those whom he could persuade were gone forth.

15:25 Carry back - Out of care and reverence to the ark, which though it might be carried our to a certain place; yet he might justly think unfit to carry it from place to place he knew not whither, and out of respect to the priests, whom, by this means, he thought he should expose to the rage of Absalom, as he had before exposed them to Saul's fury.Habitation - That is, the tabernacle which David had lately built for it, chap.Sa2 6:17, in which the ark, and God, by means hereof, ordinarily dwelt.

15:26 Let him do - That we may not complain of what is, let us see God's hand in all events. And that we may not be afraid of what shall be, let us see all events in God's hand.

15:27 A seer - A seeing, discerning, or observing man: for so the Hebrew verb raah is often used. And this suits well with David's mind: Thou art a wise man, and therefore fit to manage this great business, which requires prudence and secrecy.

15:30 Barefoot - In testimony of his deep sorrow, and humiliation and shame for his sins.

15:34 And say - That is, as faithful to thee, as I have been to thy father. David's suggesting this crafty counsel must be reckoned amongst his sins. Nevertheless God was pleased to direct this evil advice to a good end.

15:36 There - Not in Jerusalem, but in a place near it, to which they could easily send upon occasion.

15:37 Absalom came, etc - How soon do royal cities and royal palaces change their masters? But we look for a kingdom which cannot be moved.

16  David is deceived by Ziba, Sa2 16:1-4.
And cursed by Shemei, Sa2 16:5-14.
Absalom receives Hushai, Sa2 16:15-19.
Lies with his father's concubines, Sa2 16:20-23.

16:1 Bottle - A large bottle, or vessel proportionable to the other provisions.

16:4 Behold - A rash sentence, and unrighteous to condemn a man unheard, upon the single testimony of his accuser, and servant.Find grace - Thy favour is more to me, than this gift; which, as a token of thy favour, I accept with all thankfulness.

16:8 Of Saul - Either,

1. The blood of Abner and Ishbosheth; which he imputes to David, as if they had been killed by David's contrivance: or,
2. the death of Saul's seven sons, chap.Sa2 21:8, which, though related after this, seems to have been done before.

16:10 What have I, etc - In this matter I ask not your advice, nor will I follow it; nor do I desire you should at all concern yourselves in it.The Lord - God did not put any wickedness into Shimei's heart, for he had of himself an heart full of malignity against David; but only left him to his own wickedness; and brought David into so distressed a condition, that he might seem a proper object of his scorn. And this is ground enough for this expression, the Lord said, not by the word of his precept, but by the word of his providence, in respect whereof he is said to command the ravens, Ki1 17:4, and to send forth his word to senseless creatures, Psa 147:15, Psa 147:18. Who shall reproach God's providence for permitting this? Or, who shall restrain him from executing his just judgment against me?

16:11 My life - Which is a greater mischief, than to reproach me with words. Benjamites - Of that tribe and family from which God hast taken away the kingdom, and given it to me. Let him - Do not now hinder him violently from it, nor punish him for it. It is meet I should bear the indignation of the Lord, and submit to his pleasure.

16:14 Came - To the city of Bahurim.

16:17 Is this - Doth this action answer that profession of friendship which thou hast hitherto made to him? He speaks thus only to try him.And he saith, thy friend, by way of reflection upon David; as one who was a friend to Hushai, and to strangers but not to his own son, whom, by his severity he provoked to this course; and therefore he doth not vouchsafe to call him his father.

16:21 Go - This counsel he gave, partly to revenge the injury done to Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, Sa2 11:3, who was the son of Ahithophel, chap.Sa2 23:34, and principally for his own, and the people's safety, that the breach between David and Absalom might be irreparable. For this would provoke David in the highest degree and cut of all hope of reconciliation, which otherwise might have been expected by some treaty between Absalom and his tender - hearted father. But in that case his followers, and especially Ahithophel, had been left to David's mercy, and therefore obliged to prosecute the war with all vigour, and to abandon all thoughts of peace: as knowing that his father, though be might dissemble, yet would never forgive so foul a crime.Be strong - They will fight with greater courage and resolution, when they are freed from the fear of thy reconciliation, which otherwise would make their hearts faint, and hands slack in thy cause. But by this we may see the character of Absalom's party, and how abominably wicked they were, whom such a scandalous action tied the faster to him. And we may farther learn, how corrupt the body of the people was, how ripe for that judgment which is now hastening to them.

16:22 The top - Of the king's palace, the very place from whence David had gazed upon Bathsheba, chap.Sa2 11:2, so that his sin was legible in the very place of his punishment. Went in - To one, or some of them. And by so doing did farther make claim to the kingdom; and, as it were, take possession of it. It being usual in the eastern countries to account the wives and concubines of the late king, to belong of right to the successor. Israel - Who saw him go into the tent; and thence concluded, that he lay with them, as he had designed to do. God had threatened by Nathan, that for his defiling Bathsheba, David's own wives should be defiled in the face of the sun. This is now fulfilled: the Lord is righteous; and no word of his shall fall to the ground.

16:23 The counsel, etc - It was received by the people with equal veneration, and was usually attended with as certain success. Which is mentioned as the reason why a counsel which had so ill a face, should meet with such general approbation.

17  Ahithophel advises Absalom to dispatch, Sa2 17:1-4.
Hushai advises deliberation, and his advice is received, Sa2 17:5-14.
Intelligence is sent to David, Sa2 17:15-21.
David passes over Jordan, Sa2 17:22.
Ahithophel hangs himself, Sa2 17:23.
Absalom pursues David, Sa2 17:24-26.
David is supplied with necessaries, Sa2 17:27-29.

17:2 And I will, etc - That such a wretch as Absalom should aim at his father's throat is not strange. But that the body of the people, to whom David had been so great a blessing, should join with him in it, is amazing. But the finger of God was in it. Let not the best of parents, or the best of princes think it strange, if they are injured by those who should be their support and joy, when they (like David) have provoked God to turn against them.

17:5 Call Hushai - A wonderful effect of Divine Providence, influencing his heart, that he could not rest in Ahithophel's counsel, though it was so evidently wise, and approved by the general consent of his whole party; and that he should desire Hushai's advice, though neither his reputation for wisdom was equal to Ahithophel's, nor had he yet given anyone proof of his fidelity to Absalom. But there is no contending with that God who can arm a man against himself, and destroy him by his own mistakes and passions.

17:9 Pit - Having been often accustomed to that course, and well acquainted with in all hiding - places from Saul's time. In one of them, unknown to us, he will lurk with some of his chosen men, and lie in ambush for us; and, when they see a fit opportunity, they will suddenly come forth and surprize some of our men, when they least expect it, and probably at first put them to flight. Some - Namely, of Absalom's men sent against David. At the first - Implying, that their good success at first would mightily animate David's men to proceed vigorously in the fight, and intimidate Absalom's army, and consequently would be both a presage and an occasion of their total defeat.

17:11 I counsel - His pretence was, that they might make sure, though slow work: his design was to gain David time, that he might increase his army, and make better provision for the battle; and that the present heat of the people might be cooled, and they might bethink themselves of their duty, and return to their allegiance. Thou - For thy presence will put life and courage into thy soldiers, who will be ambitious to shew their skill and courage in defending thy person, when they know that all their actions are observed by him who hath the distribution of rewards and punishments in his hands. Besides, the glory of the victory will be wholly thine, which now Ahithophel seeks to get to himself.

17:12 As dew - That is, plenteously, suddenly, irresistibly, and on all sides; for so the dew falls.

17:13 Bring ropes - It is an hyperbolical expression, suited to the vain - glorious temper of this insolent young man: implying, that they would do so if they could not destroy him another way: or, that they should be enough to do so, if there were occasion. River - Adjoining to the city; it being usual to build cities near some river, both for defence, and for other accommodations.

17:14 Absalom and all, etc - Be it observed, to the comfort of all that fear God, he turns all mans hearts as the rivers of water. He stands in the congregation of the mighty, has an over - ruling hand in all counsels, and a negative voice in all resolves, and laughs at mens projects against his children.

17:16 Lodge not - Lest the king's and people's mind's change, and Ahithophel persuade the king to pursue you speedily.

17:17 Enrogel - Or, the fullers well. A place near Jerusalem, Jos 15:7 Jos 18:16, .Wench - Pretending to go thither to wash some cloaths, or to draw water.

17:19 Spread corn - Under pretence of drying it by the sun: which shews it was summer - time.

17:20 Over the brook of water - That is, over Jordan. This was a manifest lie.

17:23 Hanged himself - See here contempt poured upon the wisdom of man!He that was more renowned for policy than ever any man was, played the fool with himself more than ever any man did. See likewise honour done to the justice of God! The wicked is snared in the work of his own hands.

17:24 Passed - Not speedily, but when all the men of Israel were gathered together according to Hushai's counsel.

17:25 Nahash - Nahash is the name of Jesse's wife, by whom he had this Abigail, as he had Zeruiah by another wife; so they were sisters by the father, but not by the mother.

17:27 Shobi - Who, as it may seem, disliked and disowned that barbarous action to the ambassadors; and therefore, when the rest were destroyed, was left king or governor of the residue of the Ammonites.Machir - See above chap.Sa2 9:4.

17:29 In - Having been in the wilderness. Thus God sometimes makes up to his people that comfort from strangers, which they are disappointed of in their own families.

18  David prepares to engage the rebels, Sa2 18:1-5.
The total defeat of Absalom, Sa2 18:6-8.
His death and burial, Sa2 18:9-18.
The news brought to David, Sa2 18:19-32.
His lamentation over Absalom, Sa2 18:33.

18:5 Deal gently - If you conquer (which be presaged they would by God's gracious answer to his prayer for the turning of Ahithophel's counsel into foolishness,) take him prisoner, but do not kill him. Which desire proceeded, from his great indulgence towards his children: from his consciousness that he himself was the meritorious cause of this rebellion, Absalom being given up to it for the punishment of David's sins; from the consideration of his youth, which commonly makes men foolish, and subject to ill counsels: and from his piety, being loth that he should be cut off in the act of his sin without any space for repentance. But ''what means, says Bp. Hall, this ill - placed mercy? Deal gently with a traitor?Of all traitors with a son? And all this for thy sake, whose crown, whose blood he hunts after? Even in the holiest parents nature may be guilty of an injurious tenderness. But was not this done in type of that unmeasurable mercy, of the true King of Israel, who prayed for his murderers, Father, forgive them! Deal gently with them for my sake!" Yea, when God sends an affliction to correct his children, it is with this charge, deal gently with them for my sake: for he knows our frame.

18:8 The wood - More people died in the wood, either through hunger, and thirst, and weariness: or, by the wild beasts, whereof great numbers were there, which, though they were driven away from the place of the main battle, yet might easily meet with them when they fled several ways: or, by falling into ditches and pits, which were in that place, ver. Sa2 18:17, and probably were covered with grass or wood, so that they could not see them till they fell into them: and especially by David's men, who pursued them, and killed them in the wood: and the wood is rightly said to have devoured them, because it gave the occasion to their destruction, inasmuch as the trees, and ditches, and pits, entangled them, and stopped their flight, and made them an easy prey to David's men, who followed them, and slew them in the pursuit. The sword - In the main battle: the sword being put for the battle, by a common figure.

18:9 The servants of David - Who, according to David's command, spared him, and gave him an opportunity to escape. His head - In which probably he was entangled by the hair of the head, which being very long and thick, might easily catch hold of a bough, especially when the great God directed it. Either he wore no helmet, or he had thrown it away as well as his other arms, to hasten his flight. Thus the matter of his pride was the instrument of his ruin.

18:15 Slew him - The darts did not dispatch him, and therefore they smote him again, and killed him.

18:18 A pillar - To preserve his name; whereas it had been more for his honour if his name had been buried in perpetual oblivion.

18:24 Gates - For the gates of the cities then were, as now they are, large and thick; and for the greater security, had two gates, one more outward, the other inward. Here he sat, that he might hear tidings when any came into the city.

18:33 Over the gate - Retiring himself from all men and business, that he might wholly give up himself to lamentation. My son - This he might speak from a deep sense of his eternal state, because he died in his sins, and because David himself had by his own sins been the occasion of his death. But it seems rather to be the effect of strong passion, causing him to speak unadvisedly with his lips.

19  Joab prevails on David to refrain, Sa2 19:1-8.
He is brought back to his kingdom by the men of Judah, Sa2 19:9-15.
Pardons Shimei, Sa2 19:16-23.
Restores to Mephibosheth his estate, Sa2 19:24-30.
Barzillai is dismissed, and his son taken into David's service, Sa2 19:31-40.
The Israelites expostulate with the men of Judah, Sa2 19:41-43.

19:3 By stealth - Not openly and triumphantly, as conquerors use to do; but secretly, as if they were afraid and ashamed, lest David should see them, and look upon them with an evil eye, as those that had an hand in killing of his beloved son.

19:5 Hast shamed - By disappointing their just hopes of praises and rewards, and by requiting them with contempt and tacit rebukes.

19:6 Pleased thee - This is not be understood as exactly true; but David's carriage gave too much colour to such a suggestion; and such sharpness of speech was in a manner necessary to awaken the king out of his lethargy, and to preserve him from the impendent mischiefs.

19:9 At strife - Quarrelling one with another as the authors or abettors of this shameful rebellion, and discoursing privately and publickly of David's high merits, which God, being now reconciled to David, brings afresh to their memories.

19:10 Now therefore - The people of Israel speak thus to the elders of Israel, as appears by comparing this verse with the next. Seeing their designs for Absalom disappointed, they now repented of that undertaking, and were willing to testify so much by their forwardness to bring back David, and re - establish him.

19:11 Judah - Who being the abettors of Absalom's rebellion, despaired of pardon, and therefore were backward to promote the king's restoration. His house - Even to Mahanaim, where now the king's house and family is.

19:13 Of Joab - Who, besides his other crimes, had lately exasperated the king by his murder of Absalom, contrary to David's express command. And therefore the king having now the opportunity of another person who had a greater interest than Joab, gladly complies with it, that so he might both chastise Joab for his faults, and rescue himself from the bondage in which Joab had hitherto held him.

19:14 He bowed - David by this prudent and kind message and his free offer of pardon.

19:17 With him - Whom he brought, partly to shew his interest in the people, and partly, as intercessors on his behalf, and as witnesses of David's clemency or severity, that in him they might see what the rest of them might expect. Ziba - Who, being conscious of his former abuse of David, and of his master Mephibosheth, which he knew the king would understand, designed to sweeten David's spirit towards him, by forwardness in meeting him.

19:20 House of Joseph - The house of Joseph is here put for all the tribes, except Judah, which are fitly distinguished from Judah, because the rights of the first - born were divided between Judah and Joseph, Ch1 5:2.And though Benjamin, after the division of the kingdoms was fitly joined with Judah, because then they adhered to that tribe; yet before that time it was joined with Joseph, because they marched under the standard of the house of Joseph, or of Ephraim, Num 10:22-24. Whence it is, that Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, are put together, Psa 80:2.

19:22 Adversaries - That is, that you put me upon things unfit for me to do, and contrary to my interest; for it was David's interest at this time to appease the people, and reconcile them to him, and not to give them any new distaste by acts of severity: for this would make others jealous, that he would watch an opportunity to be revenged on them. King - Is not my kingdom, which was in a manner wholly lost, just now restored and assured to me? And when God hath been so merciful to me in forgiving my sin, shall I shew myself revengeful to Shemei? Shall I sully the publick joy and glory of this day, with an act of such severity? Or, shall I alienate the hearts of my people from me, now they are returning to me?

19:24 The son - That is, the grandson, Sa2 6:3, Sa2 6:6. His feet - By washing his feet, which was usual in those hot climates, and very refreshing; and therefore now neglected, as becoming a mourner.Beard - But suffered it to grow very long, and disorderly, as was usual with persons in a forlorn, or mournful state. Clothes - His linen cloathes. This and the former were signs, that he was a true and obstinate mourner, and evidences of the falsehood of Ziba's relation concerning him, chap.Sa2 16:3.

19:25 Jerusalem - Probably he had continued near Jerusalem, because he could not go to meet him, as others did.

19:26 Deceived me - By carrying away the ass which I bid him saddle for me.

19:27 Angel - To distinguish between true reports and calumnies; See note on Sa2 14:20.

19:28 Before - Before thy tribunal: we were all at thy mercy: not my estate only but my life also was in thy power, if thou hadst dealt with rigour, and as earthly kings use to do with their predecessor's and enemies children. To cry - For the vindication of mine honour, and the restitution of my estate.

19:29 Divide - The land shall be divided between thee and him, as it was by my first order, chap.Sa2 9:10, he and his sons managing it, and supporting themselves out of it, as they did before, and giving the rest of the profits thereof to thee.

19:35 I am, etc - My senses are grown dull, and incapable of relishing the pleasures of a court. I am past taking pleasures in delicious tastes, or sweet musick, and other such delights. I am through age both useless and burdensome to others, and therefore most improper for a court life.

19:37 That I may die in mine own city - That my bones may with little ado, be carried to the place of their rest. The grave is ready for me: let me go and get ready for it, go and die in my nest.

19:40 Half - Whereas the men of Judah came entirely and unanimously to the king, the Israelites of the other tribe came in but slowly, and by halves, as being no less guilty of the rebellion, than the tribe of Judah; but not encouraged to come in by such a gracious message as they were. And this is here mentioned as the occasion both of the contention here following, and of the sedition, chap.Sa2 20:1-22.

19:41 All - Such as were present. Stolen - That is, conveyed thee over Jordan hastily, not expecting our concurrence. David's men - All thy officers, guards, and soldiers. This is mentioned as an aggravation of their fault, that they did not only carry the king over Jordan, but all his men too, without asking their advice.

19:42 Of kin - Of the same tribe with us, and therefore both oweth the more respect to us, and might expect more respect from us. Gifts - We have neither sought nor gained any advantage to ourselves hereby, but only discharged our duty to the king, and used all expedition in bringing him back, which you also should have done, and not have come in by halves, and so coldly as you have done.

19:43 Ten - They say but ten, though strictly there were eleven; either, because they accounted Joseph (which comprehends both Ephraim and Manasseh under it) for one tribe, or because Simeon, whose lot lay within the tribe of Judah, were joined with them in this action.More right - As in the general we have more right in the king and kingdom; so particularly, we have more right in David than you, because you were the first beginners, and the most zealous promoters of this rebellion; howsoever, as he is king, we justly claim a greater interest in him, than you; inasmuch as we are the far greatest part of his subjects.Fiercer - Instead of mollifying them with gentle words, they answered them with greater fierceness so that David durst not interpose in the matter.

20  A new rebellion raised by Sheba, Sa2 20:1-2.
David confines his ten concubines for life, Sa2 20:3.
Joab murders Amasa, Sa2 20:4-12.
Pursues Sheba to Abel, Sa2 20:13-15.
He is delivered up, Sa2 20:16-22.
David's great officers, Sa2 20:23-26.

20:1 Happened - His presence was casual in itself, though ordered by God's providence. No part - The tribe of Judah have monopolized the king to themselves, and will not allow us any share in him; let them therefore enjoy him alone, and let us seek out a new king. The son of Jesse - An expression of contempt, implying that he was no more to be owned as their king, but as a private person, as the son of Jesse.To his tents - Let us all desist from this unthankful office, of bringing the king back, and go each to our homes, that we may consider, and then meet together to chuse a new king.

20:2 Every man - That is, the generality of those Israelites who were present.

20:5 Tarried - Either, because the people being wearied out by the late war, were not forward to engage in another: or because the soldiers had more affection to Joab, than to their new general.

20:6 Abishai - Not to Joab; lest by this means he should recover his place, and Amasa be discontented, and David's fidelity in making good his promise to Amasa be questioned.

20:7 Joab's men - The remainders of Joab's army who were there present, with whom also Joab might go as a reformade, watching an opportunity to do what he designed.

20:8 Amasa went - Having gathered some forces, and given due orders for the rest to follow him, he returned to Jerusalem, and by the king's command went after those mentioned ver. Sa2 20:7, and being come up to them at the place where they waited for him, he put himself in the head of Joab's men, and the Cherethites and the Pelethites, and such as he had brought along with him, and marched before them as their general.Girded - After the manner of travellers and soldiers. Went forth - To meet and salute Amasa, who was coming towards him to do him honour.It fell - Things having (it is likely) been so contrived by Joab, that upon the least motion of his body, his sword should drop out, and he might take it up without raising Amasa's suspicion.

20:9 Beard - As the manner of ancient times was, when they saluted one another.

20:10 The sword - Which falling out, as it seemed, casually, he supposed that Joab intended only to put it into its scabbard, and therefore took no care to defend himself against the stroke.So Joab - Who now boldly resumed his former place, and marched in the head of the army. It is not strange, that Amasa's soldiers did not fight to revenge his death; partly, because not many of them were yet come up, as the following verses shew; and partly, because Joab's interest and authority with the military - men was very great; especially, with David's guards, who were here present, and who had no kindness for Amasa, as having been the general of the rebellious army; and, as they might think, not fit to be put into a place of so great trust.

20:11 One - Left there on purpose to deliver the following message.Favoureth Joab - He that would have Joab to be general, rather than such a perfidious rebel as Amasa. For David - He that wisheth David good success against Sheba, and against all rebels.

20:12 Stood still - Wondering at the spectacle, and enquiring into the author and occasion of it. Removed - Perceiving, that it both incensed them against Joab and hindered the king's service. Cast a cloth upon him - But the covering of blood with a cloth cannot stop its cry to God for vengeance.

20:14 He - Sheba, who marched from tribe to tribe to stir them up to sedition. Abel - Unto Abel - beth - maachah, as this place is called here in the Hebrew text, ver. Sa2 20:15, to distinguish it from other Abels; and to signify, that this was that Abel which was in the northern border of Canaan towards that part of Syria called Maachah, Sa2 10:8.Berites - Such as lived in the city, or territory of Beeroth of Benjamin, Jos 18:25, who being of the same tribe, if not city with Sheba, adhered to him, and followed him through all the tribes of Israel. They - The tribes of Israel; that is, a considerable number of them; as might well be expected, when the discontents were so high and general.

20:15 They - That is, Joab and his army. A bank - From whence they might either batter the wall, or shoot at those who defended it.It stood - The bank stood in, or near to the trench, or the wall of the city; so that the city was in great danger of being taken.

20:16 Then cried a wise woman - It seems none of all the men of Abel, offered to treat with Joab: no, not when they were reduced to extremity: but one wise woman saved the city. Souls know no difference of sex: many a manly heart is lodged in a female breast. Nor is the treasure of wisdom the less valuable, for being lodged in the weaker vessel.

20:18 Ask counsel - This city which thou art about to destroy, is no mean and contemptible one, but so honourable and considerable for its wisdom, that when any differences arose among any of the neighbours, they used proverbially to say, We will ask the opinion and advice as the men of Abel about it, and we will stand to their arbitration; and so all parties were satisfied, and disputes ended.

20:19 A mother - Great cities are commonly called mothers; as lesser towns or villages subject to them, and depending upon them, are called their daughters. Inheritance - That is, a considerable part of, that land which God hath chosen for his particular possession.The destruction which thou art about to bring upon us, is an injury to Israel, and to the God of Israel.

20:21 Ephraim - Probably mount Ephraim was a place in Benjamin so called, either because it was upon the borders of Ephraim or for some notable action or event of the Ephraimites in that place.His head - Which she undertook, because she knew the present temper of the citizens, and soldiers too. And it is not unlikely, that this woman might be a governness in that city. For though this office was commonly performed by men; yet women were sometimes employed in the government: as we see in Deborah, who judged Israel, Jdg 4:4.

20:22 Wisdom - Prudently treated with them about it, representing to them the certainty and nearness of their ruin, if they did not speedily comply with her desires, and certain deliverance if they did.

20:23 Over all the host - The good success of this, and of the formerexpedition, under the conduct of Joab, had so fixed his interest in the army, and others of David's fastest friends, that the king could not without danger displace him.

12:25 Рождение Соломона, сына Вирсавии, "возлюбленного Ягве" (таков смысл наименования "идидиа") дает уверенность в Божием прощении. И именно Соломона Божий Промысел возведет на престол его отца, по преимуществу перед другими наследниками, опирающимися на более основательные претензии.

13 Авессалом, убийца своего брата, восставший против своего отца - главное лицо семейной драмы Давида (13 20). Эта драма явилась исходной точкой политических кризисов, обнаруживших национальные разногласия и впоследствии поколебавших престиж царской власти.

14:3 Подобно тому, как сделал Нафан (2 Цар 12:1сл), Иоав понуждает царя высказаться, предлагая ему спорный вопрос правосудия.

14:4 Обычное обращение к царю в случаях апелляции.

14:17 "Доброе и худое" - т.е. решительно все (ср 2 Цар 13:22).

15:30 Траурные обычаи (ср 2 Цар 19:5; Иез 24:17), ставшие выражением скорби (Иер 14:3сл; Есф 6:12; Мих 1:8).

16:21 Действие Авессалома представляет собой нечто большее, чем вызывающе дурной поступок: овладевая гаремом своего отца, он утверждает право наследования (ср 2 Цар 3:7).

17:23 Единственный случай самоубийства, упомянутый в ВЗ, за исключением самоубийства воинов, налагающих на себя руки, чтобы не быть захваченными врагами (Суд 9:54; 1 Цар 31:4сл; 3 Цар 16:18; 2 Макк 14:41сл), и совершенно особого случая Самсона (Суд 16:28сл).

2 Цар 21-24

9:3  Есть сын Ионафана — см. 4:4.

9:4  Лодевар и селения Махировы — в средней части восточного Заиорданья, вблизи бывшей резиденции сына Саулова Иевосфея (2:8-9).

9:8  На такого мертвого пса, т. е. на человека слабого и ничтожного. Ср. 1 Цар 23:15; 26:20.

9:10  Хлеб для пропитания. В данном случае имеется в виду хлеб не столько в буквальном сколько в переносном смысле этого слова, т. е. вообще материальные средства. Содержание столом Мемфивосфей получал при дворе Давида (ср. ст. 11, 13).

10:1  Царь аммонитский Наас (ср. 2 ст.), побежденный Саулом при Иависе Галаадском (1 Цар 11).

10:3  За благодеяние, которое оказал мне отец его. Имеется в виду, быть может, какая-нибудь помощь, оказанная Наасом Давиду во время преследований последнего со стороны Саула.

10:3 Успешные войны Давида (гл. 8) навели страх на его соседей и заставили их опасаться Давида даже там, где он был совсем не опасен для них.

10:6  Беф-Рехов — сирийская область в северных пределах Палестины, недалеко от истоков реки Иордан.

Сува — на северо-востоке от Дамаска, между реками Оронтом и Евфратом.

У царя Маахи. В еврейском тексте и некоторых списках греческого нет добавления «амаликитского». Мааха — сирийская область при подошве горы Большой Ермон, в соседстве с Гессуром.

Истов — область восточного Заиорданья на северо-востоке от Переи.

10:8  У ворот одного из своих городов.

10:16 Упоминаемый здесь Елам — неизвестная в настоящее время область Сирии.

10:17  Всех израильтян, т. е. все народное ополчение израильтян. Народное ополчение при Давиде (288 000 человек) состояло из 12 корпусов (по 24 000 человек в каждом), обязанных собираться полностью только в момент военной опасности для государства, по особому приказу царя; в мирное же время в сборе находился только один из корпусов, отбывая повинность в течение одного месяца и передавая затем свои обязанности следующему корпусу, на следующий месяц. «Таким образом, военная сила Давида составляла середину между постоянной армией и ополчением в строгом смысле этого слова: ополченцы имели навык в военном деле и были лучшими воинами, чем ратники, не державшие никогда в руках другого орудия, кроме плуга и заступа; с другой стороны, бывая на действительной службе только месяц в году, они продолжали свои мирные занятия, не бросали хозяйств» (Я. Богородский. Еврейские цари. С. 177).

11:1  В то время, когда выходят цари в походы, т. е. в наиболее благоприятное для того время года; предполагают (Fr. de Hummelauer) — в месяце нисан, начинавшемся с мартовского новолуния.

Равва аммонитян — столичный город аммонитян, расположенный в южной части восточного Заиорданья. От Раввы аммонитян следует отличать Равву моавитян, расположенную в том же Заиорданье, но много южнее.

11:3  Вирсавия, дочь Елиама и внучка советника Давидова Ахитофела (23:34), жена одного из военных героев Давидова времени (23:39) — Урии Хеттеянина, происходившего из хананейского племени хеттеев (Быт 10:15).

11:16  Знал, что там храбрые люди, которые не отступят перед опасностью и будут бороться до последней возможности.

11:20  Со стены будут бросать на вас стрелы, камни, бревна, горючие вещества и прочее.

11:21 См. Суд 9:53.

11:27  И было это дело — т. е. грехопадение с Вирсавией и содействование смерти Урии.

12:1-7 «Пророк Натан сначала переносит обвинение на прилично выдуманное для сего лицо, потому что иначе смотрим мы на грех других и иначе на собственные худые дела; почему неодинаково и судим о себе и о других. Над другими произносим праведный приговор, — сами же, прегрешая, или совершенно исторгаем из мысли сознание его, или, усматривая грех, находим для него извинение» (Блаж. Феодорит. Толк. на 2 Цар, вопр. 24).

12:6  И за овечку он должен заплатить вчетверо — см. Исх 22:1.

12:8  И дал тебе дом господина твоего (Саула) и жен господина твоего на лоно твое, т. е. предал их в твою полную власть.

12:10  Не отступит меч от дома твоего вовеки. Имеются в виду последовавшие затем нестроения в семейной жизни Давида и в жизни его государства: кровосмешение Амнона с Фамарью, смерть Амнона от руки Авессалома, возмущение и смерть Авессалома, возмущение Адонии, а также несчастья в жизни еврейского народа при преемниках Давида.

12:11  Воздвигну на тебя зло из дома твоего. Последовавшие затем огорчения Давида были причинены людьми наиболее близкими ему (Амнон, Авессалом, Адония).

Возьму жен твоих и пр. — см. 16:20-22.

12:13  И сказал Давид: согрешил я пред Господом. То же сказал некогда (1 Цар 15:24) и Саул, но, как замечает Рамбах, «duo cum dicunt idem, — non est idem». Слова царя и пророка Давида выражали полное сознание им своего падения, жгучее раскаяние в совершенном и несомненную решимость не повторять ошибки. Саул же, как мы заметили выше (см. прим. к 1 Цар 15:24-31), сознавал свой грех, но не чувствовал его.

Выразительным памятником душевных мук согрешившего Давида является его 50 псалом.

12:25  Иедидиа — «Возлюбленный Богом», второе имя сына Давидова — Соломона.

12:26-28 Доведя столичный город неприятелей до необходимости сдаться, Иоав пригласил на поле битвы Давида, дабы доставить ему удовольствие и честь блистательного завершения войны.

13:1  Авессалом был сын Давида от Маахи, дочери гессурского царя Фалмая; Амнон — первенец Давида от Ахиноамы изреелитянки (3:2-3).

13:25  И благословил его совершить свой праздник в отсутствии царя.

13:32  Ионадав — прежний друг убитого Амнона и сообщник его преступления (ст. 3-5). «Кажется странным, каким образом печальная весть могла опередить в страхе бегущих царских сыновей, и думается, что она шла не с места происшествия, а возникла самостоятельно при дворе, и не без намерения в искаженном виде. Ионадав был «очень хитрый», говорит дееписатель, т. е. искусный придворный интриган, готовый на все, как это уже видно из его услуги Амнону. Можно догадываться, что, не получив должной благодарности от Амнона за свое радение ему, он бросил его и перешел на сторону Авессалома, громадное честолюбие которого было ему известно и который более Амнона нуждался в помощниках для исполнения своих смелых замыслов. И вот, когда почти весь двор отправился на праздник к Авессалому, Ионадав остался при царе с заранее обдуманной ролью. В условленное время он секретно распускает ложный слух, что все дети царя избиты. Царь приходит в отчаяние и проклинает Авессалома. Но тотчас является утешитель и говорит: «пусть Господин мой царь не тревожится мыслью о том, будто умерли все царские сыновья; один Амнон умер за то, что обесчестил сестру Авессалома». В данную минуту и это могло показаться величайшим утешением для Давида: его дети воскресли; мертвым остался только один, и то потому, что в самом деле был преступником, остававшимся до сих пор ненаказанным. Авессалом и покарал его» (Я. Богородский. Еврейские цари. С. 209-211).

14:1  Фекоя — на юг от Иерусалима, между Вифлеемом и Хевроном.

14:7  Все родство убитого.

14:9  Царь же и престол его неповинен в предотвращении кровавого возмездия убийце (см. Чис 35; Втор 4:42; 19:3,4; Нав 20:3).

14:11  Помяни, царь, свое обещание и, ради Господа Бога твоего, исполни его, чтобы не умножились мстители за кровь и не погубили сына моего.

14:13  Почему ты так мыслишь против народа Божия, т. е. почему ты, государь, так решительно выступаешь против древнего обычая израильского народа мстить за неповинную кровь убитого кровью убийцы, а сам оказываешься до некоторой степени повинным в том же, так как до сих пор взыскиваешь изгнанием с сына твоего Авессалома за пролитую им кровь брата своего Амнона?

14:14 Если щадит согрешившего и приемлет отверженного сам Бог, то нам ли, ничтожеству, превосходить Его своей строгостью к согрешившим?

14:24  А лица моего не видит — в знак того, что возвращение Авессалома на родину еще не обозначало полного прощения его в совершенном им преступлении.

14:26  Сикль по весу царскому — то же, что сикль «священный», введенный в употребление Моисеем. Вес и стоимость священного сикля равнялись двум древним (меньшего веса и стоимости) сиклям, т. е. священный сикль в отношении веса равнялся 1 лоту, а в отношении стоимости — 86 копейкам (см. Библейскую Археологию архимандрита Иеронима. Т. I, с. 288-289).

14:29 Очевидно, что Иоав хлопотал за Авессалома не столько из преданности к последнему, сколько из желания сделать приятное Давиду (ср. 1-3 ст.).

14:32 Положение опального при дворе, после прежнего почета и ласки, показалось Авессалому труднопереносимым, и он прибег к очень решительным мерам, чтобы увидеть Иоава и упросить его ходатайствовать перед царем о полном помиловании своего виновного сына.

14:33  И поцеловал царь Авессалома — в знак его прощения.

15:1 По смерти Амнона Авессалом оказался в положении старшего сына царя, наиболее вероятного наследника его престола. Нет ничего невероятного в том, что перспектива данного положения играла далеко не последнюю роль в мести брату Амнону.

Дальнейшие действия Авессалома имеют ту цель, чтобы царской пышностью своей обстановки производить на народ наиболее сильное впечатление, а показными достоинствами своего характера привлекать к себе сердца всего Израиля (см. ст. 6).

15:7  По прошествии сорока лет царствования Давида. Предполагают, что сюда вкралась описка. Вместо «сорока лет царствования Давида» читают «четырех лет» со времени возвращения в Иерусалим (или, согласно Иосифу Флавию, со времени полного примирения с отцом, 14:33) Авессалома. В еврейском тексте слов «царствования Давида» нет; западные комментаторы указывают, что их нет и в текстах сирийском и арабском (см. Г. Властов. Священная летопись. Т. IV, изд. 1893 г., с. 138, прим.).

15:12  Гило — город к югу от Хеврона.

15:17  У Беф-Мерхата, в греческом тексте — ἐν οἴκω̨ τω̨̃ μακράν, т. е. в отдаленном жилище. Филиппсон предполагает, что это был загородный дом или дача (Lusthaus). В русском тексте название это оставлено без перевода, как имя собственное. Быть может, Беф-Мерхат был не только дачей, но целой окраиной города, одной из его «слобод».

15:18  Хелефеи и фелефеи — см. прим. к 8:18.

Гефяне — отряд гефских филистимлян, под начальством гефянина Еффея, состоявший на службе у Давида.

15:19  Ты — чужеземец и пришел сюда из своего места для того, чтобы зарабатывать деньги; а потому присоединись туда, где для тебя будет выгоднее.

15:23  Вся земля, весь народ, т. е. все, оставшиеся верными Давиду.

15:28  На равнине в пустыне у реки Иордан.

15:31 Мудрые советы Ахитофела ценились так высоко, как если бы это были советы самого Бога (см. 16:23).

15:32  Архитянин, т. е. житель города Архи, расположенного между Вефилем и Атарофом.

15:33  Будешь мне в тягость, так как вид твоего непритворного горя будет только угнетать меня.

16:1  Сива, слуга Мемфивосфея — см. гл. 9.

16:2  Ослы для царского дома Давида, хлеб и плоды для пищи отрокам, оставшимся верными изгнаннику; а вино для тех из окружающих царя, кто ослабеет от движения в пустыне.

16:3-4 Ср. 19:24-30.

16:5  Бахурим — на пути из Иерусалима к Иордану.

16:10  Господь повелел, т. е. попустил, ему злословить Давида.

16:11  Там больше сын Вениамитянина — из колена прежнего царя Саула.

16:16  Хусий Архитянин — см. 15:32-37.

16:21 «Это должно было быть, с одной стороны, выразительным символом фактического вступления в права низложенного царя, с другой — средством сделать примирение с отцом невозможным, так чтобы и сам Авессалом не мог возвратиться назад, и все взявшие его сторону не могли бы более колебаться между ним и Давидом» (Я. Богородский. Еврейские цари. С. 224).

16:22 См. 12:11-12.

17:8  Отец твой — человек воинственный — сведущий в военном деле; зная возможности неожиданного ночного нападения неприятелей, он не останется ночевать с народом на открытом месте.

17:14  Так Господь судил разрушить лучший совет Ахитофела, чтобы навести (попустить) бедствие на Авессалома. Если бы Авессалом согласился с предложением Ахитофела, то беспорядочная толпа сторонников Давида, утомленная впечатлениями дня и поспешным бегством, несомненно понесла бы полное поражение со стороны свежих, правильно организованных войск Авессалома.

17:16  Не оставайся в эту ночь на равнине, в пустыне реки Иордан, но поскорее перейди через эту реку.

17:17  Они пошли и известили, т. е. пошли, чтобы известить. Слова ибо они не могли показаться в городе Иерусалиме поясняют то, почему Ионафан и Ахимаас ожидали нужных им известий в предместье города, у источника Рогель.

17:18  И увидел их отрок — из числа стражи Авессалома.

17:23 См. прим. к 14 ст.

17:24  Маханаим — город средней части восточного Заиорданья, к югу от Иависа Галаадского.

17:25 Точно так же, как и Иоав, Амессай был племянник Давида, только от другой сестры.

17:27 Евреи восточного Заиорданья держались в стороне от движений в западном Заиорданье и отличались большей верностью данному ими слову или клятве. Верные присяге Саулу, они продолжали быть верными и его сыну Иевосфею, пока сила вещей не побудила их присягнуть Давиду. Присягнув Давиду, галаадитяне хотели быть верными ему до последней возможности.

18:2  И отправил Давид людей — в поход против Авессалома.

18:3 Заботясь о безопасности царя, военачальники имели в виду, вероятно, и то обстоятельство, что отец в войне с сыном не будет обладать хладнокровием, необходимым для руководителя сражения.

18:4  И стал царь у ворот города Маханаим.

18:6 Под лесом Ефремовым некоторые (Гуго Гроций и др.) разумеют то место восточного Заиорданья, где некогда судья Иеффай поразил ефремлян (Суд 12).

18:8  И лес погубил народа больше, чем сколько истребил меч в тот день. Разбитое войско Авессалома бросилось было искать себе защиты в лесу, но здесь было или встречено засадой, или просто рассеяно и истребляемо порознь.

18:17  Все израильтяне — составлявшие войско Авессалома.

18:18 В окрестностях Иерусалима, в долине Иосафата, и по сие время существует памятник, носящий название Гробницы Авессалома. По свидетельству ученых, еврейские раввины с древних времен приказывали родителям непослушных детей водить последних в долину Иосафата, к Гробнице Авессалома, и, рассказав им историю непокорного сына Давидова, заставлять их бросать в памятник камни (Гейки. Святая земля и Библия).

На вопрос о том, почему, заметив выше (14:27), что Авессалом имел трех сыновей и одну дочь, писатель сообщает теперь, что Авессалом поставил себе памятник во увековечение вследствие отсутствия у него сыновей, блаж. Феодорит отвечает: «Справедливо то и другое, ибо вероятно как то, что он рождал детей, так и то, что дети его умирали. Иосиф же ( Флавий ) замечает, что Авессалом сделал это потому, что дети не могли жить долго; здание же могло долее сохранить память о нем» (блаж. Феодорит. Толк. на 2 Цар, вопр. 34).

18:21 Имеется в виду не советник царя Хусий (15:32-37; 17:5-16), а некто иной. По мнению Властова (Священная летопись. Т. IV), вместо «Хусий» следует в данном случае читать «хушит» или «кушит», т. е. поселенец, раб или наемник еврейский «из ефиоплян».

18:24  Между двумя воротами городской стены — внешними и внутренними.

18:25  Если один, то весть в устах его, т. е. если идет один, то это, по всей вероятности, вестник о благополучном ходе военных действий, так как пораженные в бою не идут, а бегут, и притом целыми группами.

18:29 Желая порадовать царя приятной вестью о победе его войска, Ахимаас не решался сообщить отцу о гибели сына.

19:5-7 «Это говорит сам убийца Авессалома, ненавистный Давиду; но в его словах было столько правды и практического благоразумия, что умный царь подавил в себе горе и волнение, встал и вышел к народу на площадь при городских воротах» (Я. Богородский. Еврейские цари. С. 236).

19:8  Израильтяне же, т. е. последователи Авессалома (ср. 18:17).

19:9-10 «Резиденция Давида была теперь в Маханаиме, и фактически Давид был царем только за Иорданом. Евреи по эту сторону Иордана, ставшие на сторону Авессалома, оказались теперь в странном положении. Только что признанный ими царь погиб, а от Давида они отказались и поднимали против него оружие. Давид оказался непобедимым и царствовал за Иорданом, а они, как стадо без пастуха, оказались в положении, подверженном серьезным опасностям. Не было иного исхода, как изъявить покорность Давиду и возвратить его на иерусалимский престол. Первые голоса в пользу Давида раздались в северных коленах» (Я. Богородский. Еврейские цари. С. 237).

19:11-12 «Колено Иудино сохраняло загадочное молчание, не подавая никаких надежд для Давида. Это обстоятельство представляется несколько странным и требует некоторого объяснения». Возможно то предположение, что, не получив от Давида никаких особенных привилегий сравнительно с другими коленами (ст. 42), колено Иуды примкнуло к Авессалому сколько по чувству недовольства Давидом, столько и из ожидания получить желаемые привилегии от Авессалома. «Когда же предприятие Авессалома не удалось, и оставалось только возвратиться к старому порядку вещей, колено Иудино глубже других чувствовало свое заблуждение и стыдилось своего поступка. Его представителям совестно было явиться на глаза Давиду с повинной и с предложением верноподданства, сделавшегося столь сомнительным, и они медлили. Давид понял затруднение своего колена и, все-таки считая его, несмотря на временное увлечение, более верным оплотом своего дома, решился ободрить его кротким приглашением и напоминанием его обязанности» (Я. Богородский. Еврейские цари. С. 237-238).

19:13  Не кость ли ты моя и плоть моя ты? — см. 17:25.

Вместо Иоава навсегда: резкая самостоятельность Иоава и случай явного нарушения им воли своего царя (18:5,9-17), помимо же того, что предметом последней своевольной выходки Иоава было лицо, особенно близкое Давиду, — не могли не оттолкнуть от него Давида.

19:16 См. 16:5-11.

19:17 См. 16:1-4.

19:18-23 См. 16:5-11.

Изо всего дома Иосифова; по тексту LXX-ти: первее всего Исраиля и дому Иосифля. В объяснение того, почему дом Иосифа ставится во главу всего Израиля, см. 1 Пар 5:1.

19:24-28 Ср. 16:1-4.

19:28  Ты посадил раба твоего между ядущими за столом твоим — см. гл. 9.

19:29 Трудно было решить, кто был действительно виноват — Сива ли, или Мемфивосфей. «Во всяком случае Давиду тяжело было слушать униженные речи сына своего друга Ионафана, и он угрюмо прервал Мемфивосфея: «к чему ты говоришь все это?» Находя же свое прежнее распоряжение об отнятии у Мемфивосфея всего имущества в пользу Сивы слишком жестоким, но и не желая отменять его совсем, так как считал донесение Сивы не вполне безосновательным, Давид, чтобы уладить как-нибудь это неприятное дело, прибавил: «я говорю, чтобы ты и Сива разделили поля поровну» (Я. Богородский. Еврейские цари. С. 240-241).

19:31-32 См. 17:27-29.

19:41 «Когда Давид был уже в Галгале и когда явились сюда представители северных колен, они были неприятно поражены тем, что царь был, так сказать, уже дома и более как бы не нуждался в них. Они рассчитывали найти Давида в его заиорданском убежище и обрадовать его своим появлением и торжественным заявлением своих верноподданнических чувств. И вдруг видят царя по эту сторону Иордана, во главе могущественного колена, почти не нуждающегося в их депутации. Разочарование северян перешло в подозрение, а потом и досаду на предупредившее их колено Иуды» (Я. Богородский. Еврейские цари. С. 242).

20:3 См. 16:20-22. Давид постыдным и «законопреступным почитал иметь общение с ними после гнусного общения их с сыном; не сочетал же их ни с кем другим, дабы это не послужило предлогом к похищению верховной власти» (Блаж. Феодорит. Толк. на 2 Цар, вопр. 38), так как по восточным взглядам того времени обладание женой или наложницей царя означало уже некоторое фактическое вступление в права самого царя.

20:4-7 «Давид дал поручение Амессаю созвать ополчение в три дня для подавления мятежа, и этим фактически поставил Амессая главнокомандующим вместо Иоава (19:13). Но Амессай оказался ниже положения, в которое был поставлен. По отсутствию ли распорядительности и энергии, или по холодному приему, сделанному ему народом, как человеку менее авторитетному, чем Иоав, но он не мог выполнить поручения в назначенное время. Между тем медлить было невозможно. И Давид поневоле должен был обратиться к брату Иоава Авессе, чтобы послать его с наличными военными силами за Савеем». К преследующим Савея самовольно примкнул и Иоав. Впрочем Иоав не столько думал об уничтожении мятежа Савея, сколько об устранении из списка живых своего нового соперника при Давиде — Амессая (Я. Богородский. Еврейские цари. С. 244).

20:14  Авел-Беф-Мааха — город в северных пределах Палестины, вблизи горы Большой Ермон.

20:19  Мать городов в Израиле — см. ст. 18.

20:23  И был Иоав поставлен над всем войском Израильским. «Давид не повторил более попытки лишить его поста главнокомандующего, потому что он был и незаменим, и защищал этот пост с таким демоническим упорством, что лучше было уступить во избежание нового пролития крови» (Я. Богородский. Еврейские цари. С. 246).

О хелефеях и фелефеях — см. прим. к 8:18.

20:24  Иосафат — дееписателем — см. 8:16.

20:25 См. 8:17.

20:26 Выражение Иаритянин некоторые понимают в смысле «из селений Иаира», сына Манассии, лежавших в восточном Заиорданье (см. «Опыт Библейского Словаря собственных имен» протопопа Солярского).

Был священником у Давида, т. е. лицом, через посредство которого престарелый царь совершал многие из своих, религиозных обязанностей при скинии и вне скинии (блаж. Феодорит, Калмет и др.).

10:5 Или: сильно стыдились.

10:12 Букв.: сделает хорошее в Его глазах.

10:18 Так в 1 Пар 19:18 и в Лукиановой редакции LXX, масоретский текст: всадников.

11:4 Или: она очистилась от нечистоты и вернулась домой.

11:7 Букв.: к нему.

11:8 Букв.: омой ноги твои.

11:21 В масоретском тексте он назван Еруббешет (слово «бааль», служившее также именем языческого божества, заменено словом «бошет» со значением «стыд»). Ср. Суд 8:29 - 9:57.

12:18 Или: он может что-либо с собой сделать.

12:25 Букв.: возлюбленный Господом.

12:30 Около 34 кг.

12:31 Так по друг. чтению. Ср. 1 Пар 20:3. Масоретский текст: народ, бывший в нем, он вывел и положил их под пилы.

13:34 Друг. чтение: по Хоронаимской дороге.

13:39 Или: не гневался больше на Авессалома, или: затосковал по Авессалому.

14:20 Или: представить дело под другим видом.

14:22 Букв.: благословил.

14:26 Чуть более 2 кг.

15:7 Так в LXX, масоретский текст: сорока.

15:8 Или: я послужу / совершу (жертвоприношение) Господу.

15:12 Или: пока он (находился в Святилище и) совершал жертвоприношения.

15:21 Букв.: жив Господь и жив владыка мой царь.

15:27 1 Или: разве ты не провидец; или: провидец, возвращайся…

15:30 Или: Елеонскую гору.

15:32 Хушай из Арки (Ис Нав 16:2) был другом царя (ср. ст. 37, 1 Пар 27:33) - вероятно, один из придворных титулов.

16:3 Букв.: дом Израилев.

16:10 Или (ближе к букв.): что между нами общего?

17:3 Масоретский текст в этом месте не вполне ясен, в LXX: весь народ я приведу к тебе, как невесту к жениху, кроме одного…

17:18 Или: резервуар - высеченная в камне подземная цистерна для сбора дождевой воды.

17:25 LXX: измаильтянина.

17:28 Масоретский текст еще раз добавляет: и жареное зерно.

18:8 Букв.: по всей стране.

18:11 Т.е. 115 г.

18:12 Т.е. около 11,5 кг.

18:13 Или: а ты бы покинул меня.

18:22 Здесь точный смысл масоретского текста не ясен.

19:7 Или: вдохнови. Букв.: поговори к сердцу.

19:12 Букв.: вы кость моя и плоть моя; то же в ст. 13.

19:22 а) Или (ближе к букв.): что между нами общего?

19:22 б) Букв.: что вы становитесь моими противниками сегодня?

19:26 Букв.: твой слуга.

19:28 Букв.: свой.

20:14 Или: и все жители Берима собрались и тоже последовали за ним.