Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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2 Samuel
Book: 2 Samuel
Chapter: 17
Overview:
Ahithophel's counsel overthrown.
(1-21) He hangs himself,
Absalom pursues
David.
(22-29)
1-21 Here was a wonderful effect of Divine
Providence blinding
Absalom's mind and influencing his
Heart, that he could not
Rest
in
Ahithophel's counsel, and that he should desire
Hushai's
advice. But there is
No contending with that
God who can
Arm a
Man against himself, and destroy him
By his own mistakes and
passions.
Ahithophel's former counsel was followed, for
God
intended to correct
David; but his latter counsel was not
followed, for
God meant not to destroy him. He can overrule all
counsels. Whatever
Wisdom or help any
Man employs or affords,
the success is from
God alone, who will not let his people
perish.
22-29 Ahithophel hanged himself for vexation that his counsel
was not followed. That will break a proud
Man's
Heart which will
not break a humble
Man's sleep. He thought himself in danger,
concluding, that, because his counsel was not followed,
Absalom's cause would fail; and to prevent a possible public
execution, he does
Justice upon himself. Thus the breath is
stopped, and the head laid low, from which nothing could be
expected but mischief.
Absalom chased his
Father. But observe
how
God sometimes makes up to his people that comfort from
strangers, which they are disappointed of in their own families.
Our
King needs not our help; but he assures us, that what we do
for the least of his brethren, who are sick,
Poor, and
destitute, shall be accepted and recompensed as if done to
himself