Bible Commentary

Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz stayed by En-rogel; for they might not be seen to come into the city: and a wench went and told them; and they went and told king David. 17. Jonathan and Ahimaaz ] Hushai had evidently communicated David’s plan to Zadok and Abiathar, and commissioned the young men to be in … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Samuel 17:17”

Now therefore send quickly, and tell David, saying, Lodge not this night in the plains of the wilderness, but speedily pass over; lest the king be swallowed up, and all the people that [are] with him. 15 22. Hushai sends word to David by Jonathan and Ahimaaz 16. Lodge not this night ] A prudent … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Samuel 17:16”

Then said Hushai unto Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, Thus and thus did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the elders of Israel; and thus and thus have I counseled. Then said Hushai unto Zadok and to Abiathar the priests,…. After he was returned from the council board, he immediately went to these priests, who he … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Samuel 17:15”

And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, The counsel of Hushai the Archite [is] better than the counsel of Ahithophel. For the LORD had appointed to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that the LORD might bring evil upon Absalom. 14. Hushai saw that it was essential to gain time, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Samuel 17:14”

Moreover, if he be gotten into a city, then shall all Israel bring ropes to that city, and we will draw it into the river, until there be not one small stone found there. 13. into the river ] Into the ravine. Hushai intentionally indulges in an extravagant hyperbole in order to describe the irresistible … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Samuel 17:13”

So shall we come upon him in some place where he shall be found, and we will light upon him as the dew falleth on the ground: and of him and of all the men that [are] with him there shall not be left so much as one. 12. as the dew ] As the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Samuel 17:12”

Therefore I counsel that all Israel be generally gathered unto thee, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, as the sand that [is] by the sea for multitude; and that thou go to battle in thine own person. 11. be generally gathered ] Generally = ‘as a whole’: as we might say, “that there be a general … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Samuel 17:11”

And he also [that is] valiant, whose heart [is] as the heart of a lion, shall utterly melt: for all Israel knoweth that thy father [is] a mighty man, and [they] which [be] with him [are] valiant men. The known fame of the prodigious valour of David and his followers will easily gain credit to … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Samuel 17:10”

Behold, he is hid now in some pit, or in some [other] place: and it will come to pass, when some of them be overthrown at the first, that whosoever heareth it will say, There is a slaughter among the people that follow Absalom. 9. in some pit, or in some other place ] Omit … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Samuel 17:9”

For, said Hushai, thou knowest thy father and his men, that they [be] mighty men, and they [be] chafed in their minds, as a bear robbed of her whelps in the field: and thy father [is] a man of war, and will not lodge with the people. 8. For, said Hushai ] And Hushai said. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Samuel 17:8”