2 Samuel 18:24-19:8 NIV

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 18:1-33

The Defeat and Death of Absalom1. Numbered] rather, ’mustered.’3. Succour us out of the city] David, holding Mahanaim with a sufficient force, would be of the greatest assistance to the fugitives, if his army were defeated. 5. The people heard] This statement explains 2 Samuel 18:12.6. The wood of Ephraim] LXX reads ’Mahanaim’ here. 8. The battle was there scattered] So Joab was able to destroy Absalom’s forces in detail. The wood devoured, etc.] The thickness of the wood, its swamps,... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - 2 Samuel 18:1-33

The Might-have-been 2 Samuel 18:33 I. Besides the Absalom who was, there is the Absalom who might have been: this is the dead son whom David is lamenting, this is the son he knew, the son he cannot forget, whose image is not blotted out by the shamed figure of the murderer, rebel, traitor, which is the only Absalom visible to all the rest. II. King David has been for Jew and for Christian a type of the Christ. For this once we will make him a type of something else: he shall be an image not... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 18:19-33

CHAPTER XXIV.DAVID’S GRIEF FOR ABSALOM.2 Samuel 18:19-33; 2 Samuel 19:1-4.’’NEXT to the calamity of losing a battle," a great general used to say, "is that of gaining a victory." The battle in the wood of Ephraim left twenty thousand of King David’s subjects dead or dying on the field. It is remarkable how little is made of this dismal fact. Men’s lives count for little in time of war, and death, even with its worst horrors, is just the common fate of warriors. Yet surely David and his friends... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - 2 Samuel 18:1-33

8. The Civil War and Absalom’s Death CHAPTER 18 1. The battle in the forest of Ephraim (2 Samuel 18:1-8 ) 2. The death of Absalom (2 Samuel 18:9-18 ) 3. The tidings of his death and David’s grief (2 Samuel 18:19-33 ) And now everything is ready for the battle and the victory. The army of David consisted of three divisions, Joab, Abishai and the faithful Ittai had the command. David was ready to go forth with his warriors, but the people refused to let him go. What a testimony they gave... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - 2 Samuel 18:24

18:24 And David sat between the two {h} gates: and the watchman went up to the roof over the gate unto the wall, and lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold a man running alone.(h) He sat in the gate of the city of Mahanaim. read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 18:1-33

David had taken full advantage of the delay that Hushai had counselled to Absalom, with large numbers of the people being gathered to David. Now the time comes for war with Absalom, who has considered himself strong with support of many of Israel also. David divides his men into three bands, well organized and ready for battle. Joab is in charge of one band, Abishai his brother in charge of a second, and Ittai over the third. David's purpose to go out to battle also was however strongly... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 18:1-33

O, ABSALOM , MY SON , MY SON ! LUST, MURDER AND DECEIT (2 Samuel 13:0 ) In the preceding lesson judgments were foretold as coming on David, and we are entering on that part of his career when the prediction is fulfilled in earnest. The foulness of this chapter we would not dwell upon more than we can help. Tamar of course, while sister to Absalom, was half-sister to Amnon, the two young men being sons of David by different wives. “A garment of divers colours” (2 Samuel 13:18 ) might be... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - 2 Samuel 18:1-33

Pine Traits In the Character of David 2 Samuel 17-19 IT will have been observed that we have not spared king David in our judgment of the evil which he wrought in Israel. We have been careful to mete out to him the full penalty, so that the scoffer should have no advantage over the Christian in condemning the iniquity of the king. We ourselves have trembled under the thunders of the judgment which has been pronounced upon him. Sometimes as the hot sentences fell we almost cried out, Spare the... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - 2 Samuel 18:24-33

(24) And David sat between the two gates: and the watchman went up to the roof over the gate unto the wall, and lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold a man running alone. (25) And the watchman cried, and told the king. And the king said, If he be alone, there is tidings in his mouth. And he came apace, and drew near. (26) And the watchman saw another man running: and the watchman called unto the porter, and said, Behold another man running alone. And the king said, He also bringeth... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 18:24

Two gates, one leading into the town, the other into the country. In the middle was a chamber for public meetings, and another above, Job xxix. 7. On the roof a guard was stationed on this occasion. read more