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 . 19 Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite , "Why will you also go with us? Return and remain with the king , for you are a foreigner and also an exile ; return to your own place . 20 "You came only yesterday , and shall I today make you wander with us, while I go where e I will? Return and take back your brothers ; mercy and truth be with you." 21 But Ittai answered the king and said , "As the Lord lives , and as my lord the king lives , surely e wherever e e my lord the king may be, whether for death or for life , there also your servant will be." 22 Therefore David said to Ittai , "Go and pass over ." So Ittai the Gittite passed over with all his men and all the little ones who were with him. 23 While all the country was weeping with a loud voice , all the people passed over . The king also passed over the brook Kidron , and all the people passed over toward e the way of the wilderness .
24 Now behold , Zadok also came, and all the Levites with him carrying the ark of the covenant of God . And they set down the ark of God , and Abiathar came up until all the people had finished passing from the city . 25 The king said to Zadok , "Return the ark of God to the city . If I find favor in the sight of the Lord , then He will bring me back again and show me both it and His habitation . 26 "But if He should say thus , ' I have no delight in you,' behold , here I am, let Him do to me as seems good to Him." 27 The king said also to Zadok the priest , "Are you not a seer ? Return to the city in peace and your two sons with you, your son Ahimaaz and Jonathan the son of Abiathar . 28 "See , I am going to wait at the fords of the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me." 29 Therefore Zadok and Abiathar returned the ark of God to Jerusalem and remained there . 30 And David went up the ascent of the Mount of Olives , and wept as he went , and his head was covered and he walked barefoot . Then all the people who were with him each covered his head and went up weeping as they went .
31 Now someone told David , saying , " Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom ." And David said , "O Lord , I pray , make the counsel of Ahithophel foolishness ." 32 It happened as David was coming to the summit , where e God was worshiped , that behold , Hushai the Archite met him with his coat torn and dust on his head . 33 David said to him, "If you pass over with me, then you will be a burden to me. 34 "But if you return to the city , and say to Absalom , 'I will be your servant , O king ; as I have been your father's servant in time past , so I will now be your servant ,' then you can thwart the counsel of Ahithophel for me. 35 "Are not Zadok and Abiathar the priests with you there ? So it shall be that whatever e e you hear from the king's house , you shall report to Zadok and Abiathar the priests . 36 "Behold their two sons are with them there , Ahimaaz , Zadok's son and Jonathan , Abiathar's son; and by them you shall send me everything that you hear ." 37 So Hushai , David's friend , came into the city , and Absalom came into Jerusalem .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Samuel 15:13-37
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.
Commentary on 2 Samuel 15:24-30
(Read 2 Samuel 15:24-30)
David is very careful for the safety of the ark. It is right to be more concerned for the church's prosperity than our own; to prefer the success of the gospel above our own wealth, credit, ease, and safety. Observe with what satisfaction and submission David speaks of the Divine disposal. It is our interest, as well as our duty, cheerfully to acquiesce in the will of God, whatever befalls us. Let us see God's hand in all events; and that we may not be afraid of what shall be, let us see all events in God's hand. David's sin was ever before him, Psalm 38:4.
Commentary on 2 Samuel 15:31-37
(Read 2 Samuel 15:31-37)
David prays not against Ahithophel's person, but against his counsel. He prayed this, in firm belief that God has all hearts in his hand, and tongues also. But we must second our prayers with endeavours, and David did so, else we tempt God. But we do not find wisdom and simplicity so united in any mere man, that we can perceive nothing which needs forgiveness. Yet, when the Son of David was treated with all possible treachery and cruelty, his wisdom, meekness, candour, and patience, were perfect. Him let us follow, cleave to, and serve, in life and in death.