Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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2 Samuel
Book: 2 Samuel
Chapter: 18
Overview:
Absalom's
Army defeated.
(1-8) He is slain.
(9-18) David's
over-sorrow.
(19-33)
1-8 How does
David render good for evil!
Absalom would have
only
David smitten;
David would have only
Absalom spared. This
seems to be a resemblance of
Man's wickedness towards
God, and
God's
Mercy to
Man, of which it is hard to say which is most
amazing. Now the Israelites see what it is to take counsel
against the
Lord and his anointed.
9-18 Let young people look upon
Absalom,
Hanging On a tree,
accursed, forsaken of
Heaven and
Earth; there let them read the
Lord's abhorrence of rebellion against parents. Nothing can
preserve men from misery and contempt, but heavenly
Wisdom and
the
Grace of
God.
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 quarrelling with Divine
Justice. And for opposing the
Justice of the nation, which, as
King, he had to administer, and
which ought to be preferred before natural
Affection. The best
men are not always in a good frame; we are apt to over-grieve
for what we over-loved. But while we learn from this
Example to
watch and pray against sinful indulgence, or neglect of our
children, may we not, in
David, perceive a
Shadow of the
Saviour's
Love, who wept over, prayed for, and even suffered
Death for mankind, though vile rebels and enemies.