Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Samuel 15:11
And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, [that were] called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing.
11. two hundred men that were called ] Invited to the sacrificial feast as Absalom’s guests. In all probability they were men of distinction, and would naturally be regarded, both at Jerusalem and at Hebron, as accomplices in the conspiracy. No doubt Absalom hoped that many of them, finding themselves thus compromised, and seeing the number of his supporters, would decide to join him; or failing this, they might be held as hostages.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 11. Went two hundred men] These were probably soldiers, whom he supposed would be of considerable consequence to him. They had been seduced by his specious conduct, but knew nothing of his present design.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
That were called; such as Absalom had picked out as fit for his purpose; such as were of some quality and reputation with the king and people, which would give a great countenance to his undertaking, and give occasion to people at first to think that this was done by his fathers consent or connivance, as being now aged, and infirm, and willing to resign the kingdom to him, as his eldest son, and the noblest too, as being descended from a king by both parents; and such as by their wisdom and interest in the people might have done David much service in this needful time; yet such as were not very martial men, nor likely with violence to oppose his proceedings. They knew not any thing concerning Absaloms design.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
11. with Absalom went two hundredmen . . . that were calledFrom their quality, reputation, andhigh standing, such as would create the impression that the kingpatronized the movement and, being aged and infirm, was willing toadopt his oldest and noblest son to divide with him the cares andhonors of government.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, [that were] called,…. Invited by him to go with him and partake of his peace offerings, as the payment of his vow in Hebron; part of which was made a feast of for his friends, whomsoever he should think fit to invite, as he did to the number of two hundred, and for the entertainment of whom a large provision ought to be made; the Jews h have a tradition, that he had leave of his father only to invite two to go with him, and that he asked two more unknown to the first, and so on, two after two, until they amounted to two hundred:
and they went in their simplicity; to partake of the feast of the peace offerings, to which they were invited; being quite harmless and upright in their intentions, having no thought of disloyalty and rebellion in their breasts:
and they knew not anything; of an intended conspiracy; howbeit, doubtless many of them were drawn into it when got thither; and as these may be supposed to be some of the principal men of Jerusalem, it was a great weakening of David’s interest, and laid a considerable foundation for Absalom to begin upon.
h Bemidbar Rabba, sect. 9. fol. 194. 4.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(11) Went in their simplicity.The two hundred guests whom Absalom had invited to take part with him in his sacrifices, were doubtless prominent and influential citizens of Jerusalem. That they were entirely ignorant of Absaloms purposes shows the extreme secrecy with which the affair was managed. Absalom, no doubt, hoped when he once had them at Hebron, to secure them for his side, or, failing this, forcibly to prevent their opposition. In any case it would appear to the people that they were with him, and he would thus secure additional prestige.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
11. Two hundred men called Persons who had been personally and privately invited or “bidden” to attend the sacrificial festival which he proposed to make at Hebron. Compare marginal references.
In their simplicity In complete innocence, not knowing the designs of Absalom. This helped to hide from the inhabitants of Jerusalem the conspiracy of the prince.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
2Sa 15:11. With Absalom went two hundred men But there followed Absalom two hundred men, who, called from Jerusalem, went after him with a simple heart, and who were entirely ignorant of the whole affair. Houbigant.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
2Sa 15:11 And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, [that were] called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing.
Ver. 11. And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem. ] These were, doubtless, the principal men of the city; and this was likewise done by the policy of Ahithophel, (1.) That the plot might be the better concealed, since such confiding men were invited; (2.) That other cities, thinking that Jerusalem was for Absalom, might the sooner be drawn to follow him also.
And they went in their simplicity.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
called: 1Sa 9:13, 1Sa 16:3-5
their simplicity: Gen 20:5, 1Sa 22:15, Pro 14:15, Pro 22:3, Mat 10:16, Rom 16:18, Rom 16:19
Reciprocal: 1Ki 1:9 – called 1Ki 22:34 – at a venture 2Ch 18:33 – at a venture
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2Sa 15:11. With Absalom went two hundred men that were called That is, that were invited by him to feast with him on his sacrifice, and were such as he had picked out as fit for his purpose; principal persons of the city, no doubt, and of some reputation with the king and people. These he took with him that they might give a countenance to his undertaking, and cause the people at first to think that he was acting in all this by his fathers consent and approbation, as being now aged and infirm, and willing to resign the kingdom to his son. They went in their simplicity, and knew not anything Of his design, but only went to attend him, and pay him respect as the kings son, who did them the honour to invite them to a holy feast. It is no new thing for good men to be made use of by designing men, to put a colour on ill practices.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
15:11 And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, [that were] {g} called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing.
(g) And bid to his feast in Hebron.