PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel
Robert Payne Smith [1818-1895] · 562,410 words · 620 reading sections
The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 361
of mind, he1trt, and chl\racter. 3. Jn. ch.ild,·en it ma,y a,wa,ken in their pa,rents a foolish fondness ,vhich hm~1·s parental discipline. (Comp. 1 Kings i. 6.) 4. It atfracts flatterers and l!edurei-s, and thu.s often ocoasiOni moral niin. It Wllll Tame.r'e beauty that kindloo Amnon'e lust (eh. :z:iii. 1). It is a v…
830 wordsSECTION 362The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 362
tliia citizen court, yet pneeages 11110h ns lea. lasted only forty yenrs anrl six months, the I, 23 and Jer. v. 28 imply, not only its con- reRding "forty" is ~vidently incorrect. tinued exlstenco, but nleo that H retained Suggestions, such, for instance, as that the much lmporto.nce. Probably Rll c11uees be- forty yea…
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thing depends upon gathering a powerful working thero secretly for Absl\lom for some following et first; end usually a good deRI time. As Ditvid'e counsellor, hie proper or vigour Rnd even force ie noce881Lry to place of residence would hl\Ve been Jeru- make men take pitrt in a revolt. But as the salem, but the cons…
1,020 wordsSECTION 364The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 364
etrnng ae Jcruenlom. But we must not sup- household, numerous cnongh to h[lmper bfa pose thot he had a etnnding army, and his moveme,:it~, bu~ not enough to protect him. fow Oherothitee and Pelethitee coulrl ho.vo Al_l Davids Wive~, moreover, w,-nt, a.nrl his mode no head ngn.inet the nn.tion. Probably, ch1ldren, an…
1,016 wordsSECTION 365The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 365
whl'n<'.e he hnd b('en driven, perhRps by the year, but serving at the rniny eooeone political troubles, nnd was now, therefore, o.n to <'arry oft' the rainfall from tho Valley of exile and o foreigner (Autho1·iwd Versicm, Jehoshaphat. It lay on the east of Jeru- "stranger") Rt Jerusalem. As David mado salem, and be…
1,010 wordsSECTION 366The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 366
by inserting tho word "not." H is ono of RB well ns the Hebrows (for whom soo Ezek. tho morits of the Uevisod Version thrLt xxiv. 17), it beingoriginrilly "natuml move- 11suo.lly it does not tako those liberties. ment to conceul n.n outburst ol' tear~. Sn Hut" Art thou a ecer?" is meaningless; we in great eorrow bury o…
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whilP Huahni wn.s riRking hie life for hie Rnd wonld make them continue the cus• mruater. Still, he wns eent baok to tell " tom1ny sacrifices, Rnd, if hie rebellion proved fR lsehooil, snd his excuse was neoeSBitv; for succeseful, would force them to anoint him, Ahithophel wns so MgMioue that, if hie and so give hie…
856 wordsSECTION 368The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 368
rights of the people may be so utterly trodden npon that it is the rluty of self-preser- vation to rebel. Even parental authority must be resisted when it comes into direct collision with conscience and with Christ (Matt. x. 33-38). But rebellion is wicke,l when, as in this cai!e, it springs from a blending of conceit,…
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longer a true son. No man could have entered on such " scheme and hRvo devised 1mch meRns unless he hRd lost all true natural affection. 'l'o find fl\11lt with a fothce11 mlministration, to expose" fRther to ri<licule, to seek to alienate men from attaobment to a f11ther, and, in short, crush" father's hopes an<l li…
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nnd miso up pictures of gree.t possibilities. The mass of men do not think; they feel, and cue led by the clover orator who can stir up their feelings. It is not always a credit to" go with the multitude," and fall in with e.n order of things because it is popular. 'l'he vox populi me.xim is often folse. Of One it was …
902 wordsSECTION 371The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 371
such filial ingratitude-and the enlightoned mind seea in them more than physical sequence. The doctrine tliat every sorrow that falls is for a epeci6c sin need not bo held. Yet 1111 trouble is connected with the fact that sin is in the world, and a con• sciou~nt>~s of personal shortcomings makes us feel, when advers…
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waa !LB balm to the desolate heart of Na.omi as she mourned her forlorn condition imparted II sweet 11entleaess to her, and enabled her to submit to the blow that ha<l shattored her early joys. David and she had herein a common experience. VI. A THOU0IITl'UL SELF-SA0RIFI0ING OARE FOB THE INTERESTS OP RELIGION. Jt wns …
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nrnn as Dnvid. Their fidelity WM not based on personal beauty, vague promises, and o1ulward splendour (vers. 1-6), but on intelligence and the feeling which accompanies it in a pure heart. So Ruth was true to Naomi (Hnt.b i. 16, 17). Any promiso of attRchrnent not resting on this foundation is "'Orth nothing. II. I…
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contrived to prevent what wisdom had ordained. The wisdom of scribes and Pharisees wn, nrrnyod ngninst him who wns the "Wisdom of God." In the anta,gonism of mm to the gospel the apostle saw a cnse of the "wisdom of the world" strivino- arrainst the wisdom which wa9 so far above theirs that their wisdom was moro pro…
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"revealing the thoughts of many hearts "-Bheds a clear light upon the condition of lerael. "We seem to know all the people; the natural manners and vivid outbursts of fcelin~ make the scene 11tand out with a kind of homely poetry." In it we discern the presence and influence of: 1. Divine chastisement, announced by the…
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self-will, destroys hell." 7. Suspicion and jealousy of hiR brother. "It is our impreH- eion that David already knew that Solomon was, by the Lord'a appointment, to be hiR euccoseor to the throne. In the promise made to David through Nathan, it was clearly indicated that a son not yet born was to sit upon his throne, a…
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III. CoNBP1RACY 0RAFTILY 0ARRIED ouT (vers. 7-12); apparent in: 1. The selection or the place, Hebron (his birthplace), notable on many accounts, especiRlly as the chief city of Judah, ·where sympathy could be oalcull\ted upon. "Thero ml\y have been rue.ny persons there who harl been displeMed by the removal of the …
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xiii. 21, 30), none were more unexpected or 1110.rming. He must determine at oneo whether to fn.ce tho gathering storm or flee before it. With something of his former decision he chose tho latter course; his servants (state officers, attendant~, soldiers) declared themselves re11dy to do his bidding ; rmd "he went fort…
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Vers. 19-22.-(BETH-BAMMEBHAK.) The devotedness of Ittai. "As Jehovah liveth," etc. (ver. 21). In his flight from Jerusalem: 1. David experienced much alleviation ,,j his trovbk; as in his flight from the court of Saul (nearly forty years before). He . was not left alone (1 Sam. xxii. 1, 2). His "servants" gathered r…
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1. The prospect of difficulties, privations, and perils in hie service. These are all known to the Lord, for he has himself endured them; and he forewarns his disciples of them (Luko ix. 67, 58; xiv. 25-33). He would not have them follow him from mere impulse. 2. The promise of ease, safety,and advantage in other servi…
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loud w11.iling of the people, and hal~d for a moment in the Allcent of Olivet DRvid WAS met by Z&dok (of the elder branch of the A11.ronie family), with the Levlte;, carry- ing the ark (oh. vi.), 11.nd by Abiathar (a descendant of Eli, of the younger bro.nob). The former h&d come to him o.t Hebron (11.bout thirty ye…
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(vcre. 27-29); "Ilehold I return," etc. (LXX.). "The peculiar exorcises of rcli:don ought to precede, but not to exclude, the use of every prudent meanR of securinn- success in lawful undortakin::(B" (Scott). When, in time of adversity, we decline the aid of o•.1r friendR in one form, because it seemR to us injudicious…
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love, bis Divine dignity, M the Son of God, the King Messiah (eh. vii. 16) rendered his treat~ent peculiarly sinful, and reveals the sin of men in its true light. 3. His oompass1on for h1tman misery-loss, suffering, bondage, death, in the present and the future; the necess11ry fruit of human sin (Matt. viii. 17; Joh…
673 wordsSECTION 384The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 384
"For it is not an enemy, etc. But thou wast a man on e.n eqnality with me, l\lly companion e.nd familiar friend," etr. (Pa. Iv. 13--15.) Tbo motives of Abithophel are not expressly stated; but they were probably: 1. Dislilce of the religious earnestness and theocratic policy of David. 2. Ambition to be the sole udvi…
826 wordsSECTION 385The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 385
IV. A GOOD MAN BAB AN UNFAil.ING RBBOtTROE IN EVERY TROUBLE, viz. sincere, beiie,,ing, fervent prayer. "Call upou me," etc. (Pa, I. 16), 1. However beset by the craft e.nd power of his adverse.ries, he cannot be deprived or this privilege, but Im~ &OOOSB to God in all circumstances, at all times, and in all places (…
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defence, appreciation, correction, society, intercession, aid, sympathy" (eh. vii. 1, 2; 1 Sam. xviii. 1-4). 3. His tested loyal,ty. Would he prove his fidelity, not by goin~ into exile (var. 21), but by returning to Jerusalem, professing a.llegia.nce to Absalorn, encl~nvouring to frustrate the counsel of Ahithophel…
856 wordsSECTION 387The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 387
HebN'w prince, banished from home and kingdom, and with hie proepeote for the future dnrkened thereby, might well have longed to return, prayed to God to reetore him, end ,•owed that, if hie prayer were answered, be would make som8 singular demon~tration of his gratitude. .AbB&lom most likely lied when he said he ba…
853 wordsSECTION 388The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 388
are testing-times. They try Rnd m11ke manifest the character both of the sufferer and of his friends. The base and the noble in men, their selfishness and their di~interested- ness, their faithlessness and their fidelity, are revealed a.nd heightened. Davirl never appeared in better light (in all but, perhaps, coura…
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Rddressing our glorious King, the Divine Son of Da.vid. It reminds us of the words of Peter, when speaking for all the twelve (John vi. 68) and when speaking only for him• self (John xiii. 17), and which expressed his genuine determination, notwithstanding his subsequent fall. It reminds us also of the exhortation o…
763 wordsSECTION 390The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 390
Vere, 26, 26.-David;s resignation to the will of God. David's character shone moat brightly amid the darkness of adversity-in the early struggleK and perils, and in these luter ones, In these verses we seo his superiority to a superstitious dependence on the presence of the ark as ensuring the presence and aid of God. …
1,175 wordsSECTION 391The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 391
Ver. 32.-The place of worship. "The top of the mount where God was worshipped" (Revised Version). This "top of the mount" is one of the most sacred spots in the world -the universe. For here the Son of God wept over Jerusalem, which lay full in view at his feet, as he thought of its coming destruction, and declared …
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EXPOSITION. CHAPTER XVI. render "fig-cakes;" but for this there is a special Hebrew word (see 1 Sam. xxx. 12). Ver.1.-Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth. Ver. 3.-Thy master's son; that is, the It is the misfortune of troubled times like son of Jonnthan, or even of Saul, ea the word those in which David found himself, …
732 wordsSECTION 393The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 393
dercr 11,nd wor11llcee man." Sbimei could ie supported by tho Septuagint R.nd Vulgn.to, 11C&rccl'r ha"re referro,\ to the murders of The Syriac llR.s " my subjection," possibly o Iehbot!hC'tb and Abner, whioh were too froo trn.neln.tion of the SR.me reading. llut remote to he.ve eo re.nklod in bis memory; the writton t…
1,033 wordsSECTION 394The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 394
but were drn.wn indifferently from them moderate men,anrl wenk()n Absnlom's cause. 1111. It was of a<lvautage only to such as woro Ver. 20. - Give ooun1el among you ; deeply committed to the rebellion, ond bent Hebrew, for you; but we have no way in on killing David. To him it was terrible English of expressing the…
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. The cruelty of avarice. In this chapter the historian gives us a foil to the loyalty and devotion of the men referred to hitherto. Ittai, Zadok, .Abiathar, and Husha.i. have their opposites in Ziba and Shimei and Ahithophel. It is said that the beasts of prey and creeping things come forth iu the night; and s_o in th…
969 wordsSECTION 396The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 396
and even prnpared to brenk the ties which for yeare had held him to Mephibosbeth. Loyalty and religion a.re publicly professed. The assembled friends of the kin" are witneeeee to hie noble conduct. Wolve~ may com_e in sheep's clothing, Satan"may assume the appearance of an angel of hght, and, m the eame way, avarice ma…
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III. THEY ARF. ESPECIALLY DEVELOPED IN THE DAY 01!' ADVERSITY. The slumber- ing aver,,ion of Shimei found expression in form of outrageous insult when David's fortunes began t.o wane. Malice is associated with cowardice, and it is only when foar of punishment {)llllses away that the me.lice puts forth its vigour. Me…
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in eight of tho thousands of Israel, poor anil powerless; it was a greater wave to havo to listen to the roproaches and cursings of the wicked; but the grog.test billow of all was the knowledge that his now eldest son, his former pride and delie1ht was in rebellion 11g11inat him, and was seeking his life (ver. 11). Fat…
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of cur~e~; with heRd bowed to the eitrth, he BI\W not the mRn, and the thud of the stones mRde no impression. "The Lord bath said unto him, Curse David." y 08 , it was the Lord. 'l'he words of the prophet were true (eh. :a:li. 10-14). Spiritual per- ception is spontaneous, and, to the godly man, infallible. It passe…
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my deliverance, nnd then the etorm will cee.ee. 'He will requite me.' Mercy will find a way of enriching my poor troubled soul out of the very ills which eo juRtly have come upon me," The true heart in its deepest sorrows never loses faith in God's good- neRs and care, It holds to the posRibility of a turn In the tide.…
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a.ffain of state. Their acts show them t.o have been men of sag1LCiOl18 mind able to apply the re8ulte of extended observation &nd insight into chara-cter to the ;hanofog circumstan008 of the d&y. As &m&tter of fact, they pl&yed the most important part by means of their ee.gacity, in the events of this part of David…
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malter of fact, Husho.i's heart wo.s with David, o.nd hie lo.ngua..,e wae capable of beina interpreted in accordance with hie true feeliags. It ie e. que~ion of casuistry as ~ whether, under the circumeto.nces, he we.e wo.rro.nted in devieiag me.'lns for deluding Abso.lom. The Bible does not commit itself to a.II the a…
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crush his disciples (Acts v. 33); and it is in force now when men pr8sUmo to dispense with his t.eaching and BBving power. It is the old antagonism of the serpent and the Seed. Let every Christian brace himself to the conflict. IX. THERE IS AN UNCONSCIOUS FULFILMENT OF PROPHECY. It is not likely that eit\Jer Nat\Jan …
1,196 wordsSECTION 404The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 404
combined to keep Mephibosheth faithful to David's cause." Innocent men are often suspected and accused groundlessly. "When much treachery and ingratitude have been experienced, men are apt to become too suspicious, and to listen to every plausible tale of calumny" (Scott). "I cannot but pity the condition of this go…
1,169 wordsSECTION 405The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 405
6; Luke xxiii, 9). "When Shimei railed on him, he held his peace, and, though he had me.nv nrmed men about him, yet did he not retort aught savouring of revenge, yea, repelled with the high courage of a patient spirit the instigation of the son of Gero. He went, therefore, as one dumb and humbled to the dust; he went a…
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Vers. 9, 10.-(BAHURIM.) The ual of .A'bishai. (Referenr.es: I Chron. ii. 6; 1 Sam. xvi. 6; eh. ii. 18 ; x. 14; xxi. 17; xxiii. 18 ; 1 Chron. xviii. 12.) Of the three sons of Zeruiah (eh. v. 39), the youngest, Asahel, was slain in early life (eh. ii. 23); the oldest, J oah, was now present (ver.10)," little trusting …
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III. RIGHTLY REPROVED. "What have I to do with you," etc.? The spirit r,f .Abishai am! Joab (who, perhe.ps,joined in the request) was different from that of David; which, in its self-control, patience, and forbearance, displayed the highest heroism, and foreshadowed the meekness of Christ. "True Christian zeal is no ot…
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Vel'I!. 5-1:'l.-Sliimei:'s curses. There are peculiar bitterness and morl\l peril In troubles which spring from, or l\re min1tled with, huml\n m&levolenoe. Such w118 David's affliction at this time. Abs11lom's unnatural conduct, Ahithophel's faithless- nc>ss, 11nd Shimei's cursing rendered his misfortunes much harde…
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comparison, 3. The hope that God WO'Uld regard him with pi,ty sootherl him. (Ver. 12.) He felt that ho was in a condition fitted to awaken the Divine compassion, and hoped it would be exercised towards him. In like manner, we may yet more confidently be assured that he who chastises pities us, as a father ,the children…
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EXPOSITION. about six miles from the city, and about half- CHAPTER xvn way towards the fords of the Jordan. The Ver. 1.-Let me JI.OW ohoose out twelve march was probably continued at sunset, and tho118&Ild men. The advice of Ahithophel the fords reached before midnight; and there was snchas would have ma.de sucoeas…
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wholB is the man 1nhom tliou, seelcest. Both too practised El soldier to let liimBolf ho sur- the amendments of the text and the various prised. In his adventures with Saul he and translations offered are innumerable, but his men had been trained to hold largo nothing is really moro satisfactory than the bodies of pu…
1,033 wordsSECTION 412The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 412
of Orn p1aee8; one of the fortified Ol\mps because, though they would have b~en ad- elreadv descriood in ,•er. 9. mitted into the city, they would ecrncoly Yer: 13.-The river. The word does not have been allowed to leave it. Instead of si,:-nify " rh·er, but e. re.Tine or gorge worn wenoh-a term Joss disrespectful w…
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dnnger, Bnd without more tlelBy, commenced plained ae meBninl!,', "out of the root nf ,Jesse Bt onoe tho pnssnge of the Jorda.n, e.nd carried shall come forth the Messiah." This r..onceit it out so skilfully Bnd rBpidly, thBI by the would BCBrcely have deserved mention, hB<l morning overy one of his compe.ny wBs sde it…
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HOMILETICS. Vel'II. 1-14.-Conflicting counsels. The facts are: 1. Ahithophel, in advising Absa.lom, suggests that he himself should fall upon David by night, when weary, with twelve thousand select men, and urges that by so doing a final blow will be so struck as to secure the fealty of all Israel 2. The suggestion…
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accredited guides end advisers. If it is permitted to learn from an enemy, it is certainly allowable for the good to extract wisdom from the actions of the bad. The "children of light" nre advised to learn lessons from the coaduct of the" children of this world" (Luke xvi. 8). We may, like Absalom, though not with h…
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in principle, have occurred, and will perhaps occur again. The moat conspicuous and, in some respects, of course, the unparalleled, instance was that of our Saviour when the " gates of hell " had taken oounsel to virtually prevent the salvation of the world by the only method approved of God. Of the people there we.…
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Division of labour in doing good. From vers. 15-22 we have a record of the courl!6 adopted by the secret friends of David after that Absalom had heard the counsel of Ahithophel and Hushai. Jerusalem was the scene of an evil and a good combination; and as the drift of Scripture is to record the accomplishment of the …
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The end ef the wicTred. The course run by Ahithophel was very wicked. It combined some of the basest crimes of which human nature is capable, the more base because of the intelligence and former professions of the man. His name is the symbol of craftiness, cunning, faithlessness, cruelty, pride of intellect, and ambiti…
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thit!. Bis sympathy produoed food for five thousand. The whole of his life nnd sufferings were the cost by whlch he procured for us the blessings of salvation, In this he is infinitely removed from poets who feel and think, and philosophers who discuss the causes and relations of things, 3. It is timely. The gifts o…
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HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AU'l'HORS. Vere, 1-14.-(JERUBALEM.) The c011,ncil-chamber of .Absalom. "And Jehovah had appointed," etc. (ver. 14), The success of the rebellion seemed well-nigh complete. Absalom occupied the capital; was proclaimed by "all Israel;" sui:;ported by the wisest statesman, and, apparently, by "the kin…
1,034 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical Pulpit Commentary. Source page identifies the volume as Public Domain; text extracted from its historical PDF.
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Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.