Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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2 Samuel
Book: 2 Samuel
Chapter: 15
Overview:
Absalom's ambition.
(1-6) His conspiracy.
(7-12) David leaves
Jerusalem.
(13-23) David sends back the
Ark.
(24-30) He prays
against
Ahithophel's counsel.
(31-37)
1-6 David allows
Absalom's pomp. Those parents know not what
they do, who indulge a proud humour in their children: many
young people are ruined
By pride. And those commonly are most
eager for authority who least understand its duties.
7-12 See how willing tender parents are to believe the best
concerning their children. But how easy and how wicked is it,
for children to take advantage of good parents, and to deceive
them with the show of religion! The principal men of
Jerusalem
joined
Absalom's
Feast upon his
Sacrifice. Pious persons are
glad to see others appear religious, and this gives occasion for
deceptions. The policy of wicked men, and the subtlety of
Satan,
are exerted to draw good persons to countenance base designs.
13-23 David determined to quit
Jerusalem. He took this resolve,
as a penitent submitting to the rod. Before unrighteous
Absalom
he could justify himself, and stand out; but before the
righteous
God he must condemn himself, and yield to his
judgments. Thus he accepts the
Punishment of his
Sin. And good
men, when they themselves suffer, are anxious that others should
not be led to suffer with them. He compelled none; those whose
hearts were with
Absalom, to
Absalom let them go, and
So shall
their doom be. Thus
Christ enlists none but willing followers.
David cannot
Bear to think that
Ittai, a
Stranger and an
Exile,
a
Proselyte and a new convert, who ought to be encouraged and
made easy, should meet with hard usage. But such value has
Ittai
for
David's
Wisdom and
Goodness, that he will not leave him. He
is a friend indeed, who loves at all times, and will adhere to
us in adversity. Let us cleave to the Son of
David, with full
purpose of
Heart, and neither
Life nor
Death shall separate us
from his
Love.
24-30 David is very careful for the safety of the
Ark. It is
right to be more concerned for the
Church's prosperity than our
own; to prefer the success of the
Gospel above our own wealth,
credit, ease, and safety. Observe with what satisfaction and
submission
David speaks of the Divine disposal. It is our
interest, as
Well as our duty, cheerfully to acquiesce in the
will of
God, whatever befalls us. Let us see
God's
Hand in all
events; and that we may not be afraid of what shall be, let us
see all events in
God's
Hand.
David's
Sin was ever before him,
Ps 51:3; but never
So Plain, nor ever appearing
So Black as
now. He never wept thus when
Saul hunted him, but a wounded
Conscience makes troubles
Lie heavy, Ps 38:4.
31-37 David prays not against
Ahithophel's person, but against
his counsel. He prayed this, in firm belief that
God has all
hearts in his
Hand, and
Tongues also. But we must second our
prayers with endeavours, and
David did
So, else we tempt
God.
But we do not find
Wisdom and simplicity
So united in any mere
Man, that we can perceive nothing which needs forgiveness. Yet,
when the Son of
David was treated with all possible treachery
and cruelty, his
Wisdom,
Meekness, candour, and patience, were
perfect. Him let us follow, cleave to, and serve, in
Life and in
Death.