2 And the king said unto Ziba, ' What meanest thou by these? And Ziba said, The asses be for the king's household tot ride on; and the bread and summer-fruit for the young men to eat; and the wine, i that such as be faint in the wilderness may drink.

3 And the king said, And where is thy master's son? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he abideth at Jerusalem: for he said, To-day shall the house of Israel restore me the kingdom of my father.

14:10,11. Ex. 23:8. Deut. 19: 15. Prov. 18:13,17. 19:2. *Heb. I do obeisance. 14:4,22. Or, behold thee in thy evil.

1 15:32--37. 19:25. Frov. 17: |

17. 18:24.

m 5:1-3. 1 Sam. 16:13.

ever, that David acted very precipitately, did great injustice to Mephibosheth, and even forgot his covenant with Jonathan, in passing sentence without hearing Mephibosheth's defence. (Note, 1 Sam. 20:14-17.)

19 And again, Whom should I serve? Should I not serve in the presence of his son? As I have served in thy father's presence, so will I be in thy presence.

20 T Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, • Give counsel among you what we shall do.

21 And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, P Go in unto thy father's concubines, which he hath left to keep the house; and all Israel shall hear that thou art abhorred of thy father: then the hands of all that are with thee

shall

be strong.

22 So they spread Absalom a tent upon the top of the house: and Absalom went in unto his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel.

23 And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was

had a special command of God for it. Upon
which account he saith, when David was openly
upbraided by Shimei as a murderer, he had no
excuse to make for him but this, that perhaps
'God had commanded him to do it.' Bp. Patrick.
How could such a thought ever come into the
mind of this learned and eminent man, or find a
reception there? What prophet, in his most
pointed reproofs, ever used such virulent and slan-
derous language as that of Shimei? not to speak
of his casting stones and dust.

Get thee out of the kingdom, from whence thou deservest to be expelled.' Bp. Patrick.-The Lord hath bidden him. (11) Grotius thinks David excuses Shimei in these words: for speaking 'concerning the respect that is to be used to V. 5-14. Bahurim was a city of Benjamin; and kings, in not giving them public reproaches, he Shimei was a relation of Saul: so that the trans-'excepts those which are given by a prophet, who lation of the kingdom to David marred all his prospects of preferment. He disregarded the express appointment of God, and his heart was full of implacable enmity to David, as a usurper of the throne. Contrary to the fullest evidence, he accused him of murdering Saul's family, and interpreted his affliction into a proof of his guilt; and he took this opportunity to pour out all kinds of imprecations and reproaches, and to express all the rage of impotent contempt and malice. But if David had been a bloody man, and disposed to slay the family of Saul, Shimei would soon have suffered the just punishment of his audacity; for David was so well guarded that Shimei could only shew his malice at a distance: and David's prohibition alone prevented his nephew Abishai from putting him to death. This Shimei merited: but David was now under the divine rebuke for his sins. Though free from the guilt charged upon him, he was consciously guilty of having murdered Uriah: he therefore submitted to the justice of God, in this injurious treatment from Shimei; and he could not wonder that his enemies were stirred up against him, when his own son sought his life. The sin both of Shimei and of Absalom was from themselves and Satan: but David's affliction was from the Lord; and they were merely instruments, which he employed, without their intention, of correcting David for good. (Notes, Gen. 50:20. Is. 10:7,15. Ez. 14:9-11. Acts 2:2224.) The curse causeless could only injure him who used it: and David hoped that his humble submission to such base usage from man, would prepare the way for the return of peace and comfort from a merciful God; and therefore he would not permit Shimei to be molested. (Marg. Ref.-Notes, 19:19-23. 1 Kings 2:8,9,36-46.) Come out, &c. (7) Or rather, "Go out, go out."

V. 15-19. Though Absalom interpreted Hushai's words as implying an express promise of fidelity, and an unreserved tender of his services, they did not necessarily imply these things. He said, "Let the king live," not Let king Absalom live. And when Absalom expressed his surprise, that he thus forsook his friend; he declared his resolution to accompany, and devote himself to him, whom the LORD and whom all Israel chose; but the event soon proved that this was not Absalom, however it appeared for a time. "He would also serve in the presence of the son, as in the presence of the father." But whom would he serve? He would serve David in Absalom's presence, as faithfully as he had hitherto done. (Note, Gen. 3:4,5.)-If Absalom had not been blinded with pride and popularity, he would have suspected such ambiguous words, when used by the known and hitherto zealous friend of his father; and not have admitted him at once among his confidential counsellors.-It is indeed very difficult to conduct stratagems without such equiv ocations, if not direct falsehoods: and therefore it is best to keep at a distance from them if it be possible.-When Absalom said, "Is this thy kindness to thy friend?" Hushai might have answered, 'Is this thy duty to thy father and king?"

V. 20-23. (Note, 15:12.) Ahithophel's counsel and wrong by self-interest; and count themwas generally considered as "the oracle of God," selves robbed of every expected advantage because of his great sagacity: and at one time which goes beside them. It gratifies malevhis professions of piety seem to have been equally olence to insult the afflicted, and to use impredepended on. He did not, however, shew his cations and reproaches: and those, who think wisdom in joining himself to a party, so devoid of nothing of the authority, providence, or word of all principle, and headed by a rash young man of God in other respects, are often most ready to consummate villany, which foreboded nothing interpret the afflictions of their neighbors as but ruin. But his confidence in his own wisdom divine judgments, in opposition to the clearest made him presume that he could render Absalom evidence. But it is good to see the hand of God successful; and his mind seems to have been directing, though not dictating, the injuries of much imbittered against David. His first coun- men. Their calumnies may recal to memory sel to Absalom, after his peaceable entrance into some evil, or appearance of evil, which requires Jerusalem, was like an oracle of Satan, both for humiliation, watchfulness, and prayer: we desubtlety and atrocity. For his own security and serve worse from the Lord than their most cruel that of the whole party, he intended to preclude and contemptuous treatment, and should conall hope of reconciliation with David, that Absa- sider it as his correction: and if we bear it humlom might determine to conquer or to perish: and bly, patiently, and meekly, for his sake, he will he put him on an act of shameless wickedness, graciously requite us with inward peace and which indeed was well suited effectually to en- consolation.-Seasons of peculiar humiliation sure the purpose. (Note, Gen. 49:3,4.) By before God, require peculiar long-suffering toAhithophel's advice, Absalom, without express- wards men: private revenge must never be ining the least reluctance, and in defiance of the dulged; and on such occasions it behoves us to law of God, and even of common decency, in be very reluctant in seeking the execution of the most public manner, lay with his father's public justice, on those offenders who have inconcubines; thus inflicting on him the correc-jured us alone: for even the Judge of the world, tion that had been denounced. (Note, 12:11,12.) in his humiliation for our sins, bore with those It may be supposed that he meant to act as king, who reviled and crucified him, and prayed for having dethroned and succeeded David: but had them: yet he will at length execute vengeance he been the rightful king, it would not in the on all the impenitent and unbelieving.-A deep least have excused his incest.-It is surprising, sense of personal guilt will soften the spirit tothat this atrocious crime did not set the people wards others, and dispose a man to be indignant against him. So many concubines, besides his and severe against himself: and the most zealous wives, were by no means honorable to David: || friends must be disregarded, and even reproved, and probably none of them expressed a proper when they counsel what is evidently wrong. degree of abhorrence of so gross an enormity. (Notes, 15:16. 20:3.)

PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS.

V. 1-14.

V. 15-23.

Men, who admire themselves, will be easily deceived by those who profess an attachment to them: yet they readily discern those faults in others, of which themselves are far more notoSelfish men often affect to appear generous in riously guilty; and are apt to express astonishgiving away the property of others for their ment at them.-If a zealous disciple of Christ own advantage, and are great adepts in address be betrayed into evident wickedness, even profand insinuation. Flatterers are generally back-ligates will exclaim, "Is this thy kindness to thy biters; for it is as easy to them to forge slanders of the absent, as to pretend affection and respect for the present: and those servants, who purloin their master's substance, commonly likewise asperse their reputations. Both adulation and calumny are injurious to a great degree, but the former is the most hurtful; for to be tempted to sin is more injurious than to be robbed of riches, or even of our characters: and smooth speeches and well-timed presents, often seduce even the wise and righteous into improper measures. -When much treachery and ingratitude have been experienced, men are apt to become too suspicious, and to listen to every plausible tale of calumny: the mind being greatly agitated, views every thing through a false medium, and we are all naturally most precipitate when least capable of judging aright: but this is especially the danger of those persons whose affections are very strong, and easily excited. But while the dissimulation of false friends occasions sin; the rage, malice, and contumely of cruel enemies call forth the exercises of the believer's graces, and often prove advantageous to him.-Wicked men judge of right

Friend!" But alas, how often might the Savior himself address each of us in these words, to our shame and confusion! And how often should we thus check ourselves, and remember our ingratitude, to our deeper humiliation!-Destruction is before those, who hearken to deceitful and wicked counsellors: yet young people in general, especially in high life, will not regard any other.-How desperately wicked is the human heart, that can conceive, execute, and glory in those deeds of darkness, which it is shocking to think of, and shameful to mention! (Note, Eph. 5:8-14.) yet all this might be drawn forth out of our hearts by successive temptations, if Satan and his agents were permitted to practise upon us!-When eminent abilities and daring wickedness unite in one character, they form the express image of the devil: and, like that arch-apostate and rebel, men of this description will spare no pains to push others forward into those kinds and degrees of guilt, which may drive them desperate, and extinguish all thoughts of reconciliation unto God. But this wisdom will shortly appear the most wretched and contemptible folly, which perverts

twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night:

c

2 And I will come upon him while he is weary and weak-handed, and will make him afraid: and all the people that are with him shall flee, and I will smite the king only.

or in some other place: and it will come
to pass, when "some of them be over-
thrown at the first, that whosoever hear-
eth it, will say, There is a slaughter
among the people that follow Absalom;
10 And he also that is valiant, whose
heart is as the heart of a lion, shall

thy father is a mighty man, and they
which be with him are valiant men.

3 And I will bring back all the peo-P utterly melt: for all Israel knoweth that ple unto thee; the man whom thou seekest is as if all returned: so all the people f shall be in peace. 4 And the saying pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of Israel.

T

11 Therefore I counsel, that all Israel be generally gathered unto thee, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, as the sand 5 Then said Absalom, Call now Hu- that is by the sea for multitude, and that shai the Archite also, and let us hear like-** thou go to battle in thine own person. wise what he saith. 12 So shall we come upon him in

6 And when Hushai was come to Ab- some place where he shall be found, and salom, Absalom spake unto him, saying," we will light upon him as the dew fallAhithophel hath spoken after this man-eth on the ground: and of him, and of all ner: shall we do after his saying? if not, the men that are with him, there shall not be left so much as one. speak thou.

7 And Hushai said unto Absalom, The counsel that Ahithophel hath given is not good at this time.

8 For, said Hushai, thou knowest thy father and his men, that they be i mighty men, and they be "chafed in their minds, * as a bear robbed of her whelps in the field: and thy father is a man of war, and will not lodge with the people.

k

9 Behold, he is hid now in some pit,

a Prov. 1:16. 4:16. Is. 59:7,8.
b Ps. 3:3-5. 4:8. 109:2--4.
c 16:14. Deut. 25:18.
d1 Kings 22:31. Zech. 13:7.
Matt. 21:38. 26:31. John 11:
50. 18:4-8.

e 3:21.

Í Is. 48:22. 57:21. 1 Thes. 5:3. g1 Sam. 18:20,21. 23:21. Esth. 5:14. Rom. 1:32.

Heb. was right in the eyes of. 2 Chr. 30:4. Esth. 1:21. marg.

h 15:32-37. 16:16-19.

† Heb. is in his mouth.

↑ Heb. word.

Heb. counselled.
Prov. 31:8.

15:18. 21:18-22. 23:8,9,16,
18,20-22. 1 Sam. 16:18. 17:
34-36,50,51. 1 Chr. 11:25-
47. Heb. 11:32-34.

|| Heb. bitter of soul. Judg.
18:25. marg.

Prov. 17:12.
k 2 Kings 2:24.
28:15. Dan. 7:5. Hos. 13:8.
11 Sam. 23:23.
m Judg. 20:33.

24:3.

1 Sam. 22:1.

the noble powers of an angel, to increase and propagate guilt, condemnation, and eternal mis

ery.

NOTES.

CHAP. XVII. V. 1-4. Ahithophel was fully aware, that delay must eventually ruin Absalom's cause; and he therefore proposed to assault David, while he and his men were weary and dispirited, and unprepared for battle, and he undertook to conduct the assault himself, perhaps fearing lest Absalom's rashness should defeat the design. Thus he thought that David might easily be smitten alone; and that this would effectually answer Absalom's purpose, and bring over the people to a quiet submission to his authority. The desperate wickedness of the proposal excited no opposition, either from Absalom or from the elders; and doubtless it was the most politic measure, which could possibly have been adopted in such circumstances.

V. 7-14. It is evident that Hushai aimed to gain time for David to remove to a greater distance, and to increase and encourage his army: and if he had put Absalom off from adopting Ahithophel's counsel and measure, only for one

n Josh. 7:5. 8:6. Judg. 20:32.
1 Sam. 14:14,15.
THeb. fallen.

o 1:23. 23:20. Gen. 49:9. Num.
24:8,9. Prov. 28:1.

p Ex. 15:15. Deut. 1:28. Josh.
2:9-11. Is. 13:7. 19:1.

q 24:2. Judg. 20:1.

r Gen. 13:16. 22:17. Josh. 11:
4. 1 Kings 4.20.

** Heb. thy face, or presence,
go, &c.

8 12:28. Ps. 7.15,16. 9:16.

t1 Sam. 23:23.

u 1 Kings 20:10. 2 Kings 18:23.
19:24. Is. 10:13,14. Ob. 3.

x Matt. 24:2.

y 15:31. Gen. 32:28. Ex. 9:16.
Deut. 2:30. 2 Chr. 25:16,20.
tt Heb. commanded. Ps. 33:9,
10. Lam. 3:37. Am. 9:3.
z 15:34. 16:23. Job 5:12-14.
Prov. 19:21. 21:30. Is. 5:10.
1 Cor. 1:19,20. 3:19.
a Luke 16:8.

night, it might have proved of essential service,
especially as he hoped to be able to give David
intelligence of his danger. In pursuing this
object, he opposed Ahithophel's proposal with
consummate address: and with some specious ar-
guments, taken from David's character for val-
or and military skill; from the courage and in-
dignation of his followers; and from the prob-
ability that David would, by some stratagem of
war, in which he was well versed, surprise and
overcome his assailants, if they were not very
numerous, and so discourage the whole party;
he therefore stated that Ahithophel's counsel
was not good at that time, though he generally
was known to be a wise counsellor. But the
measures, which he proposed instead of it, were
addressed to the vain glory, the ambition, and
perhaps the revenge, of Absalom and of his fol-
lowers. (Note, 15:1-6.) To raise a very large
army, which Absalom, being the universal fa-
vorite, might easily accomplish; to command it
himself, that the honor might be all his own; to
carry matters with a high hand, to make sure
work, and to destroy David and all his party:
this was a more pompous scheme, and more
suited to a man of Absalom's capacity and dis-

1

15 ¶ Then said Hushai unto Zadok to the woman to the house, they said, and to Abiathar the priests, Thus and Where is Ahimaaz and Jonathan? And thus did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the woman said unto them, 3 They be gone the elders of Israel; and thus and thus over the brook of water. And when have I counselled. they had sought, and could not find them, they returned to Jerusalem.

C

e

1

j

16 Now therefore send quickly, and tell David, saying, Lodge not this night 21 And it came to pass after they were in the plains of the wilderness, but departed, that they came up out of the speedily pass over; lest the king be well, and went and told king David, and swallowed up and all the peopie that are said unto David, Arise, and pass quickwith him. ly over the water; for thus hath Ahi17 Now Jonathan and Ahimaazthophel counselled against you. stayed by En-rogel, (for they might not be seen to come into the city,) and a wench went and told them: and they went and told king David.

18 Nevertheless a lad saw them, and told Absalom: but they went both of them away quickly, and came to a man's house in h Bahurim, which had a well in his court, whither they went down.

i

19 And the woman took and spread a covering over the well's mouth, and spread ground corn thereon; and the thing was not known.

22 Then David arose, and all the people that were with him, and they passed over Jordan: by the morning-light there lacked not one of them that was not gone over Jordan.

23 And when Ahithophel P saw that his counsel was not * followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to a his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father.

8

24 Then David came to Mahanaim:

20 And when Absalom's servants camej 15:34. Ex. 1:19. Josh. 2:4,5.

young woman, as an unsuspected messenger, which, with very great danger to themselves, and by means of a stratagem, united with a degree of falsehood in others, they were at length enabled to deliver. (Notes, Josh. 2:2-6. 1 Sam. 19:12-17.)

V. 22. Lacked not one, &c.] This was a remarkable instance of God's providential care over his servant David and his friends, that not

company; and he was in this a type of Christ, wis time David wrote there followers.-About this time David wrote the third psalm.

position, and to an unreflecting multitude, than the deep and sagacious counsel of Ahithophel. Hushai doubtless framed his speech, not to meet the approbation of the wise, but to please the humor of the many: and it pleased God so to infatuate Absalom and all his party, that it met with general approbation.-Ahithophel's former counsel was followed, for God intended to correct David: (Note, 16:20-23.) but his latter was not, for he did not mean to destroy him, but Ab-one was lost, or had deserted, out of the whole salom. Thus God answered David's prayer, and turned the good, that inesse potes, coup1. 10 Ahithophel into foolishness. (Notes, 15:31. 16: 15-19.)-A bear, &c. (8) Note, Hoe. 13:5-8. Appointed. (14) Commanded. (Marg.) It was God's determined purpose thus to defeat Ahithophel's counsel, and to preserve David; and the whole transaction was so conducted, by his secret influence on the minds of all concerned, that the event was as certainly secured, as if he had given an express command to that purpose. This accorded to the language of David concerning Shimei. (Notes, 16:5-14. Ps. 76:10. Acts 4:23-28.)

V. 23. Ahithophel had by this time seen enough of Absalom, to consider his cause as already lost. His vexation, when he saw so wild a measure, as that proposed by Hushai, preferred to his sound policy, was intolerable. He expected nothing but extreme disgrace and a public execution for his treason; but it is doubtful whether he despaired of mercy from God, or was hardened in presumption and infidelity: he, however, most deliberately murdered himself. (Notes, Job 5:11-16. Prov. 24:21,22.)-It is observable that three at least of those, who are recorded in Scripture as suicides, were apostate professors of godliness, viz. Saul, Ahitophel, and Judas. (Note, 1 Sam. 31:3-6.) It is also remarkable that he should have hanged himself, rather than kill himself in any other way. (Notes, Deut. 21:22,23. Matt. 27:3-5.) David's prayer was answered more terribly than he re-expected or desired. (Marg. Ref.)

V. 15, 16. Hushai feared, lest Absalom should be persuaded by Ahithophel to change his mind; and he was fully convinced that Absalom was determined to murder David, if possible, and without delay: he therefore sent him intelligence, and counselled him to provide immediately for his safety, by crossing Jordan without delay.

V. 17-21. Absalom and his party were strained from injuring Zadok and Abiathar; but Hanged himself.] Anny Earo. Sept. Matt. 27:5 they seem to have suspected them. It was not, Gr. The whole narrative confutes the absurd therefore, thought safe, or advisable, for Jon- gloss of those Jews, who would represent him athan and Abimaaz to enter the city. But they as choked with grief, and not as having strangled abode at En-rogel, near the city, (Marg. Ref. g,) himself.-He deliberately returned home, "gave whither intelligence was sent to them by all charge concerning his house," (marg.) made his