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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:7-12

We have here the breaking out of Absalom's rebellion, which he had long been contriving. It is said to be after forty years, 2 Sam. 15:7. But whence it is to be dated we are not told; not from David's beginning his reign, for then it would fall in the last year of his life, which is not probable; but either from his first anointing by Samuel seven years before, or rather (I think) from the people's desiring a king, and the first change of the government into a monarchy, which might be about... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:10

But Absalom sent spies throughout all the land of Israel ,.... To sound the disposition of the people towards him, to insinuate things into their minds in favour of him, and to improve every opportunity of recommending him to their esteem and affections: saying, as soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet ; in any place; and which it is probable he employed men to sound in many places: then ye shall say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron : which is the cause of the trumpet's sounding; and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:11

And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were called ,.... Invited by him to go with him and partake of his peace offerings, as the payment of his vow in Hebron; part of which was made a feast of for his friends, whomsoever he should think fit to invite, as he did to the number of two hundred, and for the entertainment of whom a large provision ought to be made; the Jews F8 Bemidbar Rabba, sect. 9. fol. 194. 4. have a tradition, that he had leave of his father... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:12

And Absalom sent for Ahithophel, the Gilonite, David's counsellor ,.... To advise with about this treasonable affair he was engaged in, and to get out of him David's secrets, who was reckoned the best counsellor in the land; and he might rather hope he would come to him, if he was the grandfather of Bathsheba, as say the Jews, 2 Samuel 11:3 ; since he might be disgusted with and resent David's adultery with Bathsheba his granddaughter, and the murder of her husband Uriah: him he sent for: ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 15:10

Absalom sent spies - These persons were to go into every tribe; and the trumpet was to be blown as a signal for all to arise, and proclaim Absalom in every place. The trumpet was probably used as a kind of telegraph by the spies: trumpet exciting trumpet from place to place; so that, in a few minutes all Israel would hear the proclamation. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 15:11

Went two hundred men - These were probably soldiers, whom he supposed would be of considerable consequence to him. They had been seduced by his specious conduct, but knew nothing of his present design. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 15:12

Sent for Ahithophel - When Absalom got him, he in effect got the prime minister of the kingdom to join him. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:1-12

The shady side of human nature. The facts are: 1 . Absalom sets up a large domestic establishment with a semblance of royalty. 2 . Rising early in the morning of each day, he is first to meet the suitors for judgment at the gate of the city, and seizes the occasion for insinuating that there is defect in the king's provision for the administration of justice. 3 . He also professes to manifest sympathy with suitors by expressing the wish that he were in a position to do them... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:1-12

( JERUSALEM , HEBRON .) The rebellion of Absalom. About twelve years had elapsed since David's fall into sin. One of its effects was the rebellion of Absalom. The history of this event—most critical for the theocratic monarchy, and "revealing the thoughts of many hearts"—sheds a clear light upon the condition of Israel. "We seem to know all the people; the natural manners and vivid outbursts of feeling make the scene stand out with a kind of homely poetry." In it we discern the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 15:10

Absalom sent spies. The word means "those who go hither and thither," and, as the object of such journeying would usually be. to gather information, the right translation often is "spies." Here there was no such purpose, nor were they to report to Absalom, but to disperse themselves everywhere, and, when the signal was given at Hebron, they were to endeavour to gather the people to Absalom's standard. Some simple minded commentators wonder how one trumpet could be heard throughout the land.... read more

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