2Sa 15:1 | Clarke | STEP | Absalom conspires against his father, and uses various methods to seduce the people from their allegiance to their king, . Under pretense of paying a vow at Hebron, he obtains leave from David to go thither; and, by emissaries sent through the land, prepares the people for revolt, . He gains over Ahithophel, David's counsellor, . David is informed of the general defection of the people; on which he, and his life-guards and friends, leave the city, and go towards the wilderness, . The steadfast friendship of Ittai, the Gittite, . David's affecting departure from the city, . He sends Zadok and Abiathar with the ark back to Jerusalem, . He goes up Mount Olivet; prays that the counsel of Ahithophel may be turned into foolishness, . He desires Hushai to return to Jerusalem, and to send him word of all that occurs, . Verse 1 Absalom prepared him chariots and horses - After all that has been said to prove that horses here mean horsemen, I think it most likely that the writer would have us to understand chariots drawn by horses; not by mules or such like cattle. Fifty men to run before him - Affecting in every respect the regal state by this establishment. Of this man Calmet collects the following character: "He was a bold, violent, revengeful, haughty, enterprising, magnificent, eloquent, and popular prince; he was also rich, ambitious, and vain of his personal accomplishments: after the death of Amnon, and his reconciliation to his father, he saw no hindrance in his way to the throne. He despised Solomon because of the meanness of his birth, and his tender years. He was himself of the blood royal, not only by his father David, but also by his mother Maacah, daughter to Talmai, king of Geshur: and, doubtless, in his own apprehension, of sufficient age, authority, and wisdom, to sustain the weight of government. There was properly now no competitor in his way: Amnon, David's first-born, was dead. Of Chileab, his second son by Abigail, we hear nothing; and Absalom was the third: see . He, therefore, seemed to stand nearest to the throne; but his sin was, that he sought it during his father's life, and endeavored to dethrone him in order to sit in his stead.

2 Samuel 15:1

Introduction

Absalom conspires against his father, and uses various methods to seduce the people from their allegiance to their king, 2Sam 15:1-4. Under pretense of paying a vow at Hebron, he obtains leave from David to go thither; and, by emissaries sent through the land, prepares the people for revolt, 2Sam 15:7-11. He gains over Ahithophel, David's counsellor, 2Sam 15:12. David is informed of the general defection of the people; on which he, and his life-guards and friends, leave the city, and go towards the wilderness, 2Sam 15:13-18. The steadfast friendship of Ittai, the Gittite, 2Sam 15:19-22. David's affecting departure from the city, 2Sam 15:23. He sends Zadok and Abiathar with the ark back to Jerusalem, 2Sam 15:24-29. He goes up Mount Olivet; prays that the counsel of Ahithophel may be turned into foolishness, 2Sam 15:30-31. He desires Hushai to return to Jerusalem, and to send him word of all that occurs, 2Sam 15:32-37.

Verse 1

Absalom prepared him chariots and horses - After all that has been said to prove that horses here mean horsemen, I think it most likely that the writer would have us to understand chariots drawn by horses; not by mules or such like cattle.

Fifty men to run before him - Affecting in every respect the regal state by this establishment. Of this man Calmet collects the following character: "He was a bold, violent, revengeful, haughty, enterprising, magnificent, eloquent, and popular prince; he was also rich, ambitious, and vain of his personal accomplishments: after the death of Amnon, and his reconciliation to his father, he saw no hindrance in his way to the throne. He despised Solomon because of the meanness of his birth, and his tender years. He was himself of the blood royal, not only by his father David, but also by his mother Maacah, daughter to Talmai, king of Geshur: and, doubtless, in his own apprehension, of sufficient age, authority, and wisdom, to sustain the weight of government. There was properly now no competitor in his way: Amnon, David's first-born, was dead. Of Chileab, his second son by Abigail, we hear nothing; and Absalom was the third: see 2Sam 3:2-5. He, therefore, seemed to stand nearest to the throne; but his sin was, that he sought it during his father's life, and endeavored to dethrone him in order to sit in his stead.