151 Now it came about after e this that Absalom provided for himself a chariot and horses and fifty men as runners before him. 2 Absalom used to rise early and stand beside e the way to the gate ; and when any man had a suit to come to the king for judgment , Absalom would call to him and say , "From what e city are you?" And he would say , "Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel ." 3 Then Absalom would say to him, "See , your claims are good and right , but no man listens to you on the part e of the king ." 4 Moreover, Absalom would say , " Oh that one would appoint me judge in the land , then every man who has any suit or cause could come to me and I would give him justice ." 5 And when a man came near to prostrate himself before him, he would put out his hand and take hold of him and kiss him. 6 In this manner Absalom dealt with all Israel who came to the king for judgment ; so Absalom stole away the hearts of the men of Israel .
7 Now it came about at the end of forty years that Absalom said to the king , "Please let me go and pay my vow which I have vowed to the Lord , in Hebron . 8 "For your servant vowed a vow while I was living at Geshur in Aram , saying , ' If the Lord shall indeed bring me back to Jerusalem , then I will serve the Lord .' " 9 The king said to him, "Go in peace ." So he arose and went to Hebron . 10 But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel , saying , "As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet , then you shall say , ' Absalom is king in Hebron .' " 11 Then two hundred men went with Absalom from Jerusalem , who were invited and went innocently , and they did not know anything e . 12 And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite , David's counselor , from his city Giloh , while he was offering the sacrifices . And the conspiracy was strong , for the people increased continually with Absalom .
13 Then a messenger came to David , saying , " The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom ." 14 David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem , " Arise and let us flee , for otherwise none of us will escape from Absalom . Go in haste , or he will overtake us quickly and bring down calamity on us and strike the city with the edge of the sword ." 15 Then the king's servants said to the king , "Behold , your servants are ready to do whatever e my lord the king chooses ." 16 So the king went out and all his household with him. But the king left ten concubines to keep the house . 17 The king went out and all the people with him, and they stopped at the last house . 18 Now all his servants passed on beside e him, all the Cherethites , all the Pelethites and all the Gittites , six hundred men who had come with him from Gath , passed on before the king .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Samuel 15:1-18
Commentary on 2 Samuel 15:1-6
(Read 2 Samuel 15:1-6)
David allows Absalom's pomp. Those parents know not what they do, who indulge a proud humour in their children: many young people are ruined by pride. And those commonly are most eager for authority who least understand its duties.
Commentary on 2 Samuel 15:7-12
(Read 2 Samuel 15:7-12)
See how willing tender parents are to believe the best concerning their children. But how easy and how wicked is it, for children to take advantage of good parents, and to deceive them with the show of religion! The principal men of Jerusalem joined Absalom's feast upon his sacrifice. Pious persons are glad to see others appear religious, and this gives occasion for deceptions. The policy of wicked men, and the subtlety of Satan, are exerted to draw good persons to countenance base designs.
Commentary on 2 Samuel 15:13-23
(Read 2 Samuel 15:13-23)
David determined to quit Jerusalem. He took this resolve, as a penitent submitting to the rod. Before unrighteous Absalom he could justify himself, and stand out; but before the righteous God he must condemn himself, and yield to his judgments. Thus he accepts the punishment of his sin. And good men, when they themselves suffer, are anxious that others should not be led to suffer with them. He compelled none; those whose hearts were with Absalom, to Absalom let them go, and so shall their doom be. Thus Christ enlists none but willing followers. David cannot bear to think that Ittai, a stranger and an exile, a proselyte and a new convert, who ought to be encouraged and made easy, should meet with hard usage. But such value has Ittai for David's wisdom and goodness, that he will not leave him. He is a friend indeed, who loves at all times, and will adhere to us in adversity. Let us cleave to the Son of David, with full purpose of heart, and neither life nor death shall separate us from his love.