Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Samuel 18:24
And David sat between the two gates: and the watchman went up to the roof over the gate unto the wall, and lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold a man running alone.
24. between the two gates ] In the space between the inner and outer gates of the city gateway.
to the roof over the gate unto the wall ] To that side of the flat roof of the gateway which was in the outer wall of the city.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 24. David sat between the two gates] He was probably in the seat of justice. Before the gate of the city it is supposed there was an enclosure, which had its gate also; David sat in the space between these two doors. Over the larger gate there appears to have been a turret, on which a sentinel or watchman stood continually, and gave information of what he saw in the country.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Between the two gates; for the gates of the cities then were, as now they are, large and thick; and, for the greater security, had two gates, one more outward, the other inward. Here he sat, that he might hear tidings when any came into the city.
Unto the wall; unto the top of the wall or tower upon the gate, where watchmen used to watch. Compare 2Ki 9:17; Eze 33:2.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
24-32. David sat between the twogatesthat is, in the tower-house on the wall that overhung thegate of Mahanaim. Near it was a watchtower, on which a sentinel wasposted, as in times of war, to notify every occurrence. The delicacyof Ahimaaz’ communication was made up by the unmistakable plainnessof Cushi’s. The death of Absalom was a heavy trial, and it isimpossible not to sympathize with the outburst of feeling by whichDavid showed that all thoughts of the victory he had won as a kingwere completely sunk in the painful loss he had sustained as afather. The extraordinary ardor and strength of his affection forthis worthless son break out in the redundancy and vehemence of hismournful ejaculations.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And David sat between the two gates,…. Of the city of Mahanaim; which being a fortified place had two walls, one within another, and in each wall a gate; and between these David sat, waiting for news of the battle:
and the watchman went up to the roof over the gate unto the wall; the gate to the outward wall, over which was a tower, and on that a flat roof; to which the watchman went to observe if he could see an express coming; no doubt by David’s orders:
and lifted up his eyes and looked; that is, very diligently and wistfully:
and, behold, a man running alone: which made him the more observable, and was the more likely to be a messenger.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
David was sitting between the two gates of Mahanaim waiting for tidings of the result of the battle. The two gates are the outer and inner gate of the fortified city wall, between which there was a small court, where David was sitting. The watchman then went up to the roof of the gate by the wall, probably the outer gate in the city wall, and as he looked he saw a man running alone.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
ABSALOM’S PURSUIT OF DAVID, 2Sa 18:24-26.
24. David came to Mahanaim Where Ishbosheth had once had the seat of his government. See 2Sa 2:8.
Absalom passed over Jordan This was probably several weeks or months after David crossed, during which time Absalom had been anointed as king, (2Sa 19:10,) and, in accordance with Hushai’s counsel, had gathered warriors from all the tribes.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
24. Sat between the two gates The city of Mahanaim seems to have been enclosed by a double wall, and its main entrance guarded by two gates, an outer and an inner one, between which was a sort of court.
The roof over the gate unto the wall The top of one of the towers of the outer gate. The outer gate of fortified cities was usually surmounted by a tower, in which chambers were often built. The top was a suitable station for a watchman. Such towers were also built into the city walls at various places.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
(24) And David sat between the two gates: and the watchman went up to the roof over the gate unto the wall, and lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold a man running alone. (25) And the watchman cried, and told the king. And the king said, If he be alone, there is tidings in his mouth. And he came apace, and drew near. (26) And the watchman saw another man running: and the watchman called unto the porter, and said, Behold another man running alone. And the king said, He also bringeth tidings. (27) And the watchman said, Me thinketh the running of the foremost is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok. And the king said, He is a good man, and cometh with good tidings. (28) And Ahimaaz called, and said unto the king, All is well. And he fell down to the earth upon his face before the king, and said, Blessed be the LORD thy God, which hath delivered up the men that lifted up their hand against my lord the king. (29) And the king said, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Ahimaaz answered, When Joab sent the king’s servant, and me thy servant, I saw a great tumult, but I knew not what it was. (30) And the king said unto him, Turn aside, and stand here. And he turned aside, and stood still. (31) And, behold, Cushi came; and Cushi said, Tidings, my lord the king: for the LORD hath avenged thee this day of all them that rose up against thee. (32) And the king said unto Cushi, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Cushi answered, The enemies of my lord the king, and all that rise against thee to do thee hurt, be as that young man is. (33) And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!
The subject ends just as might have been supposed, from the natural affections of David. No doubt it was in respect to the everlasting state of Absalom, that David felt so exceedingly. And yet, had it been put to the issue, though in the moment David wished he had died for him, yet when death came, David would have shrunk back. It was the unguarded, ill-advised expression of disappointed nature. It was base, as it related to GOD, in his own deliverance. It was base, as it referred to man, in the lives of his faithful subjects, whose sacrifice seemed to be nothing in David’s eyes, so that Absalom had been spared. Reader! let us learn from it, how everlastingly opposite to grace, in all our views and desires nature is. And let us, therefrom, seek strength from the LORD, to be forever on our guard against its false teachings. The promise is, that the elder, which is nature, shall serve the younger, which is grace. Had David consulted this, we should not have witnessed those improper acclamations: would to GOD I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son! Had GOD taken him at his word, what would have been the consequence? Would he have gone to hell for him too! Alas! the sin and folly of so daring a wish! Reader! let you and I reverse the expression, and bless GOD that his dear Son hath died for us, and by his death secured our salvation!
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
2Sa 18:24 And David sat between the two gates: and the watchman went up to the roof over the gate unto the wall, and lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold a man running alone.
Ver. 24. And David sat between the two gates. ] Where he hung in suspense, and waited for the next news.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
between the two gates. The outer and inner gates of the city wall.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
between: 2Sa 18:4, 1Sa 4:13
the watchman: 2Ki 9:17-20, Isa 21:6-9, Isa 21:11, Isa 21:12, Eze 33:2-7
Reciprocal: 2Sa 19:8 – sat in the gate Jer 48:19 – ask Hab 2:1 – tower
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2Sa 18:24. David sat between the two gates It is probable the gates of cities then were, as they now generally are, large and thick, and that, for greater security, they had two gates, one more outward, and the other inward. Here the king sat, that he might hear tidings as soon as they came to the city.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
18:24 And David sat between the two {h} gates: and the watchman went up to the roof over the gate unto the wall, and lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold a man running alone.
(h) He sat in the gate of the city of Mahanaim.