The 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 years are to be reckoned from tlrn tween citizens were tried by it.just Be co.uses desire of the Israelites to hRvo a kino- or in the oountry were tried by the mishpachah from the anointing of David by Ramr1er aro (seo noto on oh. xiv. 7); but with Bn appeBl merely methods of evading a difficnlt.y. The in weighty m11,ttors to thP king. It is a 8yriac, however, and the Valgate-except misbilrn to suppose tlmt DBvid altogether the Codex Amintinu•, which rearls "forty," n0g:lected his judicial functions. On the supported hy Josephus anrl soma mann- contrary, the woman of Teko11,h obtnined an scripts - have "four years," which won lei nudience, as a matter of course; and Abs11lom give ample, yet not too long, time fnr the would not have risen up thus early unless growth of Absalom's popularity, and of dis- David had also taken his so11,t in the early satisfaction at David's tardy administration ruurniug on the royal divan to administer of justice. In Hebron. Absalom chose this justice. It was the suitors on their way to town, both as being his birthplace, and also the king whom Absalom nceosted,and made because it was on tho road to Geshm believe that be would be more assiduous in (I Sam. xxvii. 8), whither flight might he !J.is duties than his fother, and that he would necessary should the enterprise fail. He have decided every suit in favour of the pcr- hoped also to win to his cause some of the eon to whom he was talking, whereas really powerful tribe of Judah, though it generally one side alone can gain the cause. Still, we was the mainstay of David's throne. Local may . well believe that, guilty himself of sacrifices were still customary (see note on adultery and murder, and with bis two l Sam. xvi. 2), and the visit of the 1.-ing'g elder sons stained with such terrible crimes, son for such a purpose would be celebrated David's administration of justice had be- by a general holiday and much feasting at <'0me half-hearted. And thus his sin again Hebron. As Ewald remarks, David's confi- found him out, and brought stem punish- dence and want of suspicion were the results ment; For Absalom used this weakness of a noble-minded generosity. And besides, against his father, and, intercepting the there was no state police ever on the watch, suitors on their way, would ask their city and ready to put an unfavourable construc- and tribe, and listen to their complaint, and tion on all that was done; and probably assure them of the goodness of their cause, David was even pleased at his son's popu- and lament that, as the king could not bear lority, and took his profeSBions as proof that all causes easily himself, he did not appoint he would be a just and wise ruler on succeed- others to eid him in his duties. It was delay ing to his father's place. Perhaps, too, he and procrastination of which Absalom com- was glad at this indication of religious feel- plained; and as many of the litigants had ing on Absalom's part; for a father is snre probably come day after day, and not suc- to look on the better side of his son's act.,i. ceeded in getting a hearing, they were He had been tardy enough in fulfilling his already in ill humour and prepared to find vow, but it seemed to David that conscience fault. Now,as David possessed great powers had at lu.st prevailed, and that right was to of organization, we may well believe that he be done. would have taken measures for the adequo.te Ver. 10.-Abse.lom sent spies. The word administration of law had it not been for the means "those who go hither and thither," moral malady which enfeebled his will. In and, as the object of such journeyin; would the appointment of Jehoshaphat and Seraiah UBually be to gather information, the right (eh. viii. 16, 17) he hnd made o. beginning, translation often is "spies." Here there was but soon his hands grew feeble, and he did no snob purpose, nor were they to report to no more. Absalom, but to disperse themselves every- Ver. 6.-Abse.lom stole the hearts. By where, and, when tile signal was given at professing· anxiety to devote himself to the Hebron, they were to endeavour to gather hearing and deciding of the people's causes, the people to Absalom's standard. Some by flattering each one with the assurance simple-minded commentators wonder how that his case wos so good that it needed only one trumpet could be heard throughout th" a bearing to be decided in bis favour, and land. It was beard only at Hebron, but the by his affability, made the more charming news of the proclamation would rapidly and irresistible by his personal beauty, he spread; and, though the rumour migllt be wou the love of the people almost without vB.r:ue and confused, yet these emissaries, their knowing how devoted thoy had become fully acquainted beforehand with its mean- to him. ing, would turn it to Absa.lom's advantage, Ver. 7.-After forty years. As Abs,ilom 11nd urgo the people to confirm the choic,·, was born in Hebron after Dnvid WRs made made, as they would affirm, by the wbolA king (rh. iii. 3), and as David's whole reign tribe of Judah. In such attempts every- 368 THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. [OH, XV, 1-37,