2 Samuel 18:24-19:8 NIV

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 18:19-33

19-33 By directing David to give God thanks for his victory, Ahimaaz prepared him for the news of his son's death. 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. Some think David's wish arose from concern about Absalom's everlasting state; but he rather seems to have spoken without due thought. He is to be blamed for showing so great fondness for a graceless son. Also for... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - 2 Samuel 18:19-33

David's Lament for Absalom v. 19. Then said Ahimaaz, the son of Zadok, who was with the troops, let me now run and bear the king tidings how that the Lord hath avenged him of his enemies, it was the direct divine interposition which had brought David justice. v. 20. And Joab said unto him, Thou shalt not bear tidings, be a messenger, this day, but thou shalt bear tidings an other day; but this day thou shalt bear no tidings because the king's son is dead. Joab felt that the king might be... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - 2 Samuel 18:1-33

For the Chapter 18 passage and footnotes, see 1 Samuel 17:24 ff.b. 2 Samuel 18:1-8. The battle in the forest of Ephraim2 Samuel 18:1-2. David organizes his army, and disposes it for battle.2 Samuel 18:1 sq. 1) The mustering of the whole body of people with David, which had been constantly growing by reinforcements from the country east of the Jordan; 2) the division into smaller bodies of hundreds and thousands; 3) the organization of the whole army in three grand divisions under Joab, Abishai... read more

Alexander MacLaren

Alexander MacLaren's Expositions of Holy Scripture - 2 Samuel 18:18-33

2 Samuel THE WAIL OF A BROKEN HEART 2Sa_18:18 - 2Sa_18:33 . The first verse of this passage and the one preceding it give a striking contrast between the actual and the designed burial-place of Absalom. The great pit among the sombre trees, where his bloody corpse was hastily flung, with three darts through his heart, and the rude cairn piled over it, were a very different grave from the ostentatious tomb ‘in the king’s dale,’ which he had built to keep his memory green. This was what all... read more

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - 2 Samuel 18:16-30

Tidings That Failed to Bring Joy 2 Samuel 18:16-30 Ahimaaz was far-famed for his swift running. He had already served the royal cause, and his family was intimate with the king, 2 Samuel 15:36 ; 2 Samuel 17:17 . Joab was therefore unwilling to entrust the youth with tidings which must give the king bitter sorrow, and perhaps cause him to associate them ever after with the bearer. Perhaps Joab also feared that the part which he himself had taken in Absalom’s death would be exposed by Ahimaaz.... read more

G. Campbell Morgan

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 18:1-33

The delay advised by Hushai resulted in multitudes gathering to David, and at last the day of battle between those loyal to him and Absalom's followers arrived. Two men attract our attention, David and Joab. A chastened and almost docile spirit is evident as the king yielded to the constraint of his people, and did not himself lead the hosts. It is conceivable, and, indeed, almost certain, that his love for Absalom caused his action. He earnestly charged those going to battle to deal gently... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 18:18-33

The Tidings Of Victory, And Of The Death Of Absalom, Reach David Who Falls Into A Fit Of Mourning (2 Samuel 18:18-33 ). This passage is placed within an inclusio which commences with Absalom having built a pillar for himself in order to preserve his name, and ends with David mourning the death of His son, and repeating his name three times (a complete number of time). He needed no pillar to remind him of his son. The passage as a whole describes the sending off and arrival of two messengers,... read more

Arthur Peake

Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 18:1-33

1 Samuel 18:1 to 1 Samuel 19:8 . Defeat and Death of Absalom. David’ s Grief (J). 2 Samuel 18:1-Ruth : . Absalom’ s followers are defeated with great slaughter. Nothing is known as to the battle-field, “ the Forest of Ephraim,” beyond what may be gathered from this story. Many fugitives lost their lives by falling headlong in the broken, rocky country; some perhaps, especially the wounded died of hunger and exhaustion in these inhospitable tracts, with which they were not familiar. “ Forest”... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - 2 Samuel 18:24

Between the two 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. Unto the wall; unto the top of the wall or tower upon the gate, where watchmen used to watch. Compare 2 Kings 9:17; Ezekiel 33:2. read more

Joseph Exell

Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary - 2 Samuel 18:1-33

CRITICAL AND EXPOSITORY NOTES.—2 Samuel 18:1. “David numbered,” etc. “The hardy mountaineers of Gilead came in great numbers at the call of their chieftains.”—(Jamieson.) Josephus says the army numbered about 4000.2 Samuel 18:6. The situation of this battle-ground is much disputed. Erdmann thinks the name can be understood only of the forest covering the mountains of Ephraim mentioned in Joshua 17:15-18, and Keil agrees with him; but against this view the majority of writers on the subject urge... read more