Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Samuel 15:8
For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the LORD shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD.
8. then will I serve the Lord] By offering a sacrifice in accordance with his vow. Cp. Jacob’s similar vow (Gen 28:20-22).
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 8. While I abode at Geshur in Syria] Geshur, the country of Talmai, was certainly not in Syria, but lay on the south of Canaan, in or near Edom, as is evident from Jdg 1:10; 1Sa 27:8; 2Sa 13:37. Hence it is probable that Aram, Syria, is a mistake for Edom; daleth and resh being easily interchangeable. Edom is the reading both of the Syriac and Arabic.
I will serve the Lord.] Here he pretended to be a strict follower of Jehovah, even while he was in a heathen country; and now he desires liberty to go and perform a vow at Hebron, which he pretends to have made while he was resident at Geshur. And all this was the more perfectly to organize his system of rebellion against his venerable father.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
i.e. Worship him by the offering of sacrifices of thanksgiving to God, for restoring me to the place of his presence and service, and to my fathers favour. But why should not this service have been performed at Zion, or at Gibeon? Here was some ground of suspicion; but God blinded Davids eyes, that he might bring upon David and upon Absalom the judgments which they deserved, and he designed.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria,…. When at his grandfather’s court there:
saying, if the Lord will bring me again indeed to Jerusalem; which he might be sincerely desirous of:
then I will serve the Lord; but it is a question whether he ever made a vow to this purpose, or concerned himself about serving the Lord; but it rather may be, this was a lie of his, now framed in order to get leave of the king to go to Hebron.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
2Sa 15:8. Thy servant vowed a vow This vow is conceived exactly in the patriarchal style, and, if true, shews, that however he might have been tempted by his grandfather to serve the gods of Geshur, yet he continued determined against idolatry; which David, we may assure ourselves, was highly delighted to hear, and accordingly gave a ready consent to the performance of his vow.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
2Sa 15:8 For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the LORD shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD.
Ver. 8. Then I will serve the Lord, ] viz., With gratulatory oblations and peace offerings; when in truth his design was, not to serve the Lord, but to serve himself upon the Lord, by pretending his worship to his own wicked practices, and by drawing together as guests at that feast of his – usual at such sacrifices – as many as he thought meet to join with him in his intended conspiracy.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
vowed a vow = made a solemn vow. Figure of speech Polyptoton. App-6.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
thy servant: Gen 28:20, Gen 28:21, 1Sa 1:11, 1Sa 16:2, Psa 56:12, Ecc 5:4
Geshur: 2Sa 13:37, 2Sa 13:38, 2Sa 14:23, 2Sa 14:32
I will serve: Jos 24:15, Isa 28:15, Jer 9:3-5, Jer 42:20
Reciprocal: Num 21:2 – vowed Jos 12:5 – unto the Jos 13:2 – Geshuri 1Sa 27:8 – the Geshurites 1Ch 3:2 – Geshur Psa 109:7 – and let Eze 27:16 – Syria
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2Sa 15:8-9. If the Lord shall bring me again to Jerusalem, &c. This vow, we see, of Absalom is conceived exactly in the style of the patriarchal piety; and plainly implies, that however he was tempted by his grandfather to serve the gods of Geshur, yet he continued steady to the true religion, and determined against idolatry. This, we may be sure, David was highly delighted to hear, and therefore gave a ready consent to the performance of his vow, saying, Go in peace. So he arose and went to Hebron This place he chose as being an eminent city, and next to Jerusalem, the chief city of the tribe of Judah. It was also the place of his birth, the place where his father had begun his kingdom, which he took for a good omen, and where the seat of government had been several years. Here, likewise, they were wont to sacrifice till the temple was built. It was at a convenient distance from Jerusalem, and, no doubt, he had here secured many friends. He therefore thought it the most commodious place for his purpose, next to Jerusalem.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
15:8 For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the LORD shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will {f} serve the LORD.
(f) By offering a peace-offering, which was lawful to do in any place.