The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 377

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 court to Jerusalem" (Keil). " Accustomed from the earliest times to independence and pre-eminence Judah stood proudly apBrt under David even after Saul's death, and now probably offered some opposition to the growing unity of ihe kingdom" (Ewald). 2. 'l'he profession of a religious purpose-the fulfilment of a vow (vers. 7, 8; l Sam. i. 11). "With a subtle refinement of hypocrisy, he pretended that his thank-offering was for his return to Jeru~alem" (Plurnptre). "No villainy can be termed complete which is not disguised under the mask of religion, especially at those times when the profession of godliness is treated with general respect." 3. The obtaining of the king's sanction: "Go in peace" (ver. 9); thereby disarming suspicion and winning confidence. 4. The despatch of emissaries through all the tribes, to prepare for the simultaneous proclama- tion, " Absalom reigneth in Hebron I" ( ver. 10). 6. The securing of the presence of numerous persons from Jerusalem; depriving the king of their aid, and making them unwittingly adherents of Absabm (ver. 11). 6. 'l'he gaining of the open support of Ahithophel, whose secret counsel had doubtless been long before afforded (vers. 12, 31). He was" the sinews of Absalom's ea.use" (Blunt). "While the sacrifices were proceeding, Absnlom sent for him from Giloh, and the presence of this influential personage appears to have caused the final outbreak of a conspiracy which had been carefully prepared, and which immediately spread with nmazing rapidity, and pouring like a wild mountain torrent from the ancient capital of Judah, soon threatened to flood the whole country" (Ewald). IV. INSURRECTION SUCCESSFULLY INCITED, only to be disastrously defeated. "And the conspiracy was strong," etc. Its success was: 1. Great, swift, surprising. A few hours later, Jerusalem was in the hands of Absa.lom. 2. Temporary. The prosperity of the wicked is but for a moment. 3. Followed by signal retribution, whilst itself employed as an instrument thereof, by Divine providence, whose ways, though mysterious, are always just and right. The death of Absalom (eh. xviii. 14) was "the end of a bitter family history, whose every sorrow was linked to the father's blame." The people who shared his crime shared his punishment. The fatal spark of tribal comity kinclled under his inftuence, though quenched for the moment, soon burst forth again, and ultimately destroyed the unity, independence, and strength of the nation.-D. Vers. 13-18.-David's flight from Jenuakm. "Arise I and let us ftee" (ver. 14). Ileferenra: L Leaving the pala.ce, on receiving news from Hebron (after the harvest and vintage, eh. xvi. l ; xvii. 28 ; Ps. iv. 7). 2. At "the Far House" (Beth-ham- merhak), on the outskirts of the city (ver. 17); and at "the olive tree in (on the road to) the wilderness of Judah" (LXX.); the procession formed; Ittai the Gittite. 3. Passing over the Kidron; the signal of flight; loud and general wailing (ver. 23). 4. Commencement of the ascent of Mount Oli\'et; Zadok and Abiathar (vers. 24-29). 5. Ascending the mour,.tain amidst loud wailing (ver. 30); tidings concerning Ahitho- phel (ver. 31). 6. At the top (about noonday), "where God was worshipped" (ver. :!2); Hushai the Archite (vers. 32-37). 7. Descending, on the other side; Ziba, with refreshments (eh. xvi. 1-4). 8. At Bahurim; Sliimei (eh. xvi. 5-13). 9. Coming '"weary" (or, to" Ayephim ") (eh. xvi. 14); to the for~ (Authorized Version," plain~") of the wilderness, or passages of the _wilderness l:adi_ng to the Jord~n; and r?st1ng tl,ere for the night. 10. Crossing the nver (after m1dmght), on the arrival of Ah1maaz and Jonathan with news from Jerusalem (eh. xvii. 21, 22); and marching onward "by the morning light" toward Mahanaim (eh. xvii. 24, 27-29). "'l'here is no single day in the Jewish history of which so elaborate an account remains ae of this memor- able f!i,,bt" (Stanley). It was probably the morning after Absalom's revolt when uews c;m~ from Hebron. Of all the "evil tidings" that David ever received (eh. Oil, XV, 1-37,] THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL.