2 Samuel 15

2 Samuel 15: Absalom Steals the Hearts of the Men of Israel

1 After this it happened that Absalom provided himself with chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him. 2 Now Absalom would rise early and stand beside the way to the gate. So it was, whenever anyone who had a lawsuit came to the king for a decision, that Absalom would call to him and say, “What city are you from?” And he would say, “Your servant is from such and such a tribe of Israel.” 3 Then Absalom would say to him, “Look, your case is good and right; but there is no deputy of the king to hear you.” 4 Moreover Absalom would say, “Oh, that I were made judge in the land, and everyone who has any suit or cause would come to me; then I would give him justice.” 5 And so it was, whenever anyone came near to bow down to him, that he would put out his hand and take him and kiss him. 6 In this manner Absalom acted toward all Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.

Absalom’s eagerness to become king contrasts with the patience that David had exhibited while awaiting his time to rule over Israel. “Absalom is no sooner restored to his place at court than he aims to be in the throne. He that was unhumbled under his troubles became insufferably proud when they were over; and he cannot be content with the honour of being the king's son, and the prospect of being his successor, but he must be king now.”(Matthew Henry) “The first born son, Amnon, was dead. The second son, named Chileab, or Daniel, is mentioned nowhere else in the Scriptures. Therefore, it appears that Absalom believed that he had the right to the throne as one of the eldest living sons of King David.” (Everett's Study Notes) Moreover: “David had not taken any steps to designate a successor, and a rule of succession had not been established for the monarchy. The death of Saul and Jonathan had set a precedent against hereditary rule....” (Coffman) making an insurrection possible.

“‘After this it happened that Absalom provided himself with chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.’ (1) This was no man after God’s own heart, as was David his father! “He had learned of the king of Geshur (what was not allowed to the kings of Israel) to multiply horses, which made him look desirable, while his father, on his mule, looked despicable.” (Matthew Henry)

“He multiplies his train of horses and his chariots, with running footmen to grace his equipage; whereas the Lord had strictly forbidden this to his people Israel. Deuteronomy 17:15 . Moreover, the Lord had told Israel by his servant Samuel, that the king they would choose, but not of the Lord's approbation, would be of this very character, to take pride in what the Lord had forbidden; and that he would oppress his subjects in the number of his chariots, horsemen, and servants.” (Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary)

“‘Now Absalom would rise early and stand beside the way to the gate.’ etc. (2a) The way to the gate of the city, along which persons having complaints were wont to come. The gate of the city was the well known place of the ancient court. Ruth 4:1.” (Whedon’s Commentary) So it was, whenever anyone who had a lawsuit came to the king for a decision, that Absalom would call to him and say, “What city are you from?” And he would say, “Your servant is from such and such a tribe of Israel.” (2b) ... thus calculating the reach of his deceptive tentacles.

“Then Absalom would say to him, ‘Look, your case is good and right.’ That says the man who should have been sentenced to death for murder himself. It is the audacity at its peak. Nothing in what we read of Absalom indicates that he possesses any wisdom or familiarity with the laws.” (G. de Koning)— “‘But’ he adds, ‘[there is] no man [deputed] of the king to hear you.’ (3) to wit, none such as will do thee justice. The other sons and relations of the king, and the rest of the judges and rulers under him and them, are wholly corrupted, and swayed by favour or bribes; or, at least, not careful and diligent, as they should be; and my father being grown in years, is negligent of public affairs, leaving them wholly to their conduct.” (Matthew Poole) “This was a base slander, as appeareth from 2 Samuel 8:15 . But that is a small matter with graceless ambitionists.” (John Trapp)

“Thus, by forcing a contrast between his own display of public spirit and the dilatory proceedings of the court, he created a growing disgust with his father's government, as weak, careless, or corrupt, and seduced the affections of the multitude, who neither penetrated the motives nor foresaw the tendency of his conduct.” (Jamieson, Fausset, Brown) “Moreover Absalom would say, ‘Oh, that I were made judge in the land, and everyone who has any suit or cause would come to me; then I would give him justice.’ (4) He thus suggested that he was not commissioned by the king, but was acting on his own initiative to “accelerate the course of justice, and advance the public interests.” (Jamieson, Fausset, Brown)

“Inwardly, Absalom is extremely cunning and hateful. He really is a picture of the antichrist.” (G. de Koning) “He was thoroughly versed in the arts of the demagogue; and the common people, the vile mass, heard him gladly. He used the patriot's arguments, and was every thing of the kind, as far as promise could go. He found fault with men in power; and he only wanted their place, like all other pretended patriots, that he might act as they did, or worse.”(Clarke)“‘And so it was, whenever anyone came near to bow down to him, that he would put out his hand and take him and kiss him.’ (5) This was Absalom's way of feigning an ‘equality’ (or perception there of) with the people; he interrupted their intentions to bow down before him by embracing and kissing them.” (Coffman Commentary)

“‘In this manner Absalom acted toward all Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel,’ (6) by putting on the garb of singular humanity and good will to all men; for that seems to have been a ceremony in frequent use in those times of showing respect, as pulling off the hat, and bowing, or embracing, is at this day with us.” (Matthew Poole)

“How well Absalom has learned the arts of the office-seeker! Along with his handsome equipage he shows admirable devotion to the interests of his ‘constituents.’ He is early at the gate, so great is his appetite for work; he is accessible to everybody; he flatters each with the assurance that his case is clear; he gently drops hints of sad negligence in high quarters, which he could so soon set right, if only he were in power; and he will not have the respectful salutation of inferiors, but grasps every hard hand, and kisses each tanned cheek, with an affectation of equality very soothing to the dupes.” (A. Maclaren) “David had won the hearts of the people through sacrifice and service; but Absalom did it the easy way, the modern way, by manufacturing an image of himself that the people couldn’t resist.

David was a hero; Absalom was only a celebrity.” (Wiersbe)

2 Samuel 15: Absalom Makes Himself King

7 Now it came to pass after forty years that Absalom said to the king, “Please, let me go to Hebron and pay the vow which I made to the LORD. 8 For your servant took a vow while I dwelt at Geshur in Syria, saying, ‘If the LORD indeed brings me back to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD.’ ”

9 And the king said to him, “Go in peace.” So he arose and went to Hebron. 10 Then Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, “As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then you shall say, ‘Absalom reigns in Hebron!’ ” 11 And with Absalom went two hundred men invited from Jerusalem, and they went along innocently and did not know anything. 12 Then Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, from his city—from Giloh—while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy grew strong, for the people with Absalom continually increased in number.

We read were of no prophetic anointing of Absalom by an actual nor alleged prophet of Israel. He had not the Spirit of the LORD.

“‘At the end of four years’ (2 Samuel 15:7). i.e. from David's anointing (1 Samuel 16:13 ): i.e. 974-934.” (E. W. Bullinger) This indicates that it took Absalom four years from the time he was reconciled with David to launch his attempted coup de etat.” (Coffman Commentary)— “Absalom said to the king, ‘Please, let me go to Hebron and pay the vow which I made to the LORD.’ etc. (7) — which I made while exiled in Geshur. “Here religion is made a cloak to rebellion, as in the Papacy is ordinary.” (John Trapp)

“‘If the Lord shall bring me again to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD.' [8] 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…” (Joseph Benson)

“And the king said to him, ‘Go in peace.’ So he arose and went to Hebron.” (9) “Here he pretended to be a strict follower of Jehovah, even while he was in a heathen country.” (Adam Clarke) “Hebron was the spot selected for the performance of this vow (—or rather coup de etat), ostensibly as being his native place (2 Samuel 3:3), and a famous high place, an ancient sacred place (Genesis 13:18; Genesis 18:1-33; Genesis 23:1-20), and a city of the priests (Joshua 21:11), in presence of whom the vow was to be paid (Leviticus 27:1-34), where sacrifices were frequently offered before the temple was built.” (Jamieson, Fausset, Brown)

The Sepulcher shall not depart from Judah until Shiloh comes. “Every one knew Hebron to be a royal city; and it lay in the heart of Judah's lot, in which tribe, probably, he thought his interest strong.” (Matthew Henry)

“He pretended that his vow required a sacrifice in the city of his birth, but in reality he considered Hebron a city peculiarly suited for his temporary capital after he had been proclaimed king.” (Paul E. Kretzmann)

“As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then you shall say, ‘Absalom reigns in Hebron!’ The trumpet was the “common signal to call the people together for purposes of war or self-defence. Jeremiah 4:5; Jeremiah 4:19.” (Daniel Whedon) Then Absalom sent spies etc.…(10) doubtless under colour of inviting persons of distinction to the sacrifice, but in reality to carry the watchword and signal before agreed on between them.” (Thomas Coke)

“And with Absalom went two hundred men invited from Jerusalem, and they ‘went in their simplicity.’ (11) —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 Absalom’s purposes shows the extreme secrecy with which the affair was managed.” (C. J. Ellicott)

“Then Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, from his city—from Giloh—while he offered sacrifices. (12) “Absalom then sent for Ahithophel, who was David's counsellor, and who willingly came. No doubt he had strong feelings against David that had been suppressed until now, for his later advice to Absalom was to brazenly use David's concubines, then to concentrate only on killing David (ch.16:21-22; 17:1-3). The reason for this strong enmity was likely that Ahithophel was the grandfather of Bathsheba (cf.ch.13:3 and 23:34).” (L. M. Grant) “Absalom had arranged these (sacrifices), apparently with pomp and circumstance, to continue through several days. This gave time for the conspiracy to gain strength, and the accompanying feasting allowed Absalom an excellent opportunity for using his popular arts, and with such success that ‘the people increased continually with Absalom.’” (C. J. Ellicott)

“The intention being that all who partook of the sacrifice should be bound together to prosecute the enterprise.” (Albert Barnes) But Ahithophel went against the oath that he had made to David before the LORD. “Let's turn to Psalm fifty-five, and read of David's feelings over the desertion of Ahithophel who went with Absalom.” (Smith's Bible Commentary)— "For it is not an enemy who reproaches me; then I could bear it. Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me; then I could hide from him. But it was you, a man my equal, my companion and my acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together, and walked to the house of God in the throng….He has put forth his hands against those who were at peace with him; he has broken his covenant. The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords." (Psalm 55:12-14; 20-21)

“How great are the multitudes today who are merely followers of men! They have no serious exercise as to the principles of the truth of God, but are influenced by what appeals to their own comfort or convenience. In many cases their choice is not only unwise but links them with what is absolute wickedness in opposition to God, as was true of these followers of Absalom.” (L. M. Grant) “How soon the heart may become alienated from its rightful king! The Absaloms ingratiate themselves, and wean away our loyalty, and love from Jesus. Is there a favorite that fawns on you, and entices you to a lower level than you occupied in earlier, happier days? If so, your King may be driven from the citadel of your soul, and you may be left to mourn over the tragedy caused by the transference of your heart’s affections. Be warned ere it be too late.” (F.B. Meyer)

2 Samuel 15:13-24 David Escapes from Jerusalem

David thought that it was POSSIBLE that this prophecy was being fulfilled—> “Now therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised Me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife. Thus says the Lord , ‘Behold, I will raise up evil against you from your own household; I will even take your wives before your eyes and give them to your companion, and he will lie with your wives in broad daylight.’” (2 Sam 12:11-12) “‘And,’ he thinks, ‘it is not for me to contend with it or fight against it; God is righteous and I submit.’ Before unrighteous Absalom he could justify himself and stand it out; but before the righteous God he must condemn himself and yield to his judgments. Thus he accepts the punishment of his iniquity.” (Matthew Henry) BUT this does not mean that he is going to take it lying down: “The fact that David's loyal followers did not question his decision to leave Jerusalem indicates that his decision was not based upon cowardice but upon the cold calculations of an experienced military specialist.” (Wycliffe’s OT Commentary)

Then a messenger came to David, saying, "The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom." (13) So David said to all his servants, etc. ‘Arise, and let us flee’ etc. (14); for though the fort of Zion was strong and impregnable, and he might have defended himself there; yet he had not laid in provisions for a long siege… ‘The king left ten women [of his concubine] (15); for he supposed that their sex would protect them even among barbarians, and their relation to David would gain them some respect, and, at least, safety from his son.” (Poole)— “’And the king went forth,’…. From Jerusalem; which is repeated, that it might be observed in what a hurry and fright he was: ‘and all the people after him’; his family, court, and servants, and as many of the people of Jerusalem as chose to go with him: ‘and tarried at a place that was afar off’ (17); when they had got at some distance from the city, they stopped and stayed a while.” (Gill)— He was “taking time to review all the people who were with him. His servants who had remained loyal to him are mentioned as passing before him, then the Cherethites and the Pelethites (Phillistines) who had been chosen as David's bodyguard.” (L. M. Grant) After these came “six hundred old companions in arms of David who gathered around him during the days of his flight from Saul, who emigrated with him to Gath, and later to Ziklag.” (Keil) So, the physical descendants of Abraham had, in large degree, rejected the sovereign king of Israel. (2 Samuel 15:13) In contrast, foreigners “who had defected to Israel remained loyal to David, and people from the villages near Jerusalem lamented his departure.” (Donald Flemming)

Yet David dissuaded Ittai the Gittite from going with him. “‘Ittai the Gittite.’—“… David calls him ‘a stranger and also an exile;’ he had but comparatively recently (2 Samuel 15:20) attached himself to David’s service, bringing with him his family and others of his countrymen.” (C. J. Ellicott) “‘Thou camest but yesterday’ (19-20) - Meaning, ‘Thou art not a native Israelite, but only a sojourner for a few years, it is not reason therefore that thou shouldst share my calamities. Return to thy place, thy adopted home Jerusalem, and to the king, Absalom…” (Albert Barnes) or “with whoever chances to be king. As a foreigner Ittai had nothing to do with the internal quarrels of Israel. David generously suggests that he should keep them out of his own conflicts.” (Dummelow's Commentary)BUT Ittai informs the king of his conversion, saying, “As the LORD lives, and as my lord the king lives, surely in whatever place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also your servant will be.” (21) Thus, he proclaimed: “'Where David is, whether in life or death', safe or in peril, there will this faithful friend of his be; and he confirms this resolution with an oath, that he might not be tempted to break it.” (Matthew Henry) “These men were foreigners, not bound to render obedience to the king, but giving it because their hearts were touched... and they avowed their determination to cleave to the sovereign of their choice at a time when his back was at the wall, and their determination to follow him meant only peril and privation.” (Alexander MacLaren)

So David said to Ittai, Go, and cross over.” etc.— “The king’s friendship had made a home for him [Ittai].” (F. B. Meyer) “Ittai’s commitment to David (2 Sam 15:19-22) recalls Ruth’s commitment to Naomi (Ruth 1:16-17).” (Dr. Thomas B. Constable) He went over with a motley crew. David and his crew resembled those who had pioneered his cause in the wilderness of Judea. These crossed the Kidron Valley immediately east of Zion and moved up the Mount of Olives that lay on the other side of the valley. And thus Ittai crossed over the brook Kidron with the remnant of Israel. “‘And all the little ones that were with him.’ (22) This shows that his whole family were come to sojourn in Judea. And being so deeply engaged for David, he durst not leave his little ones to Absalom’s mercy.” (Joseph Benson)

“In these days of our Lord’s humiliation, let us address Him in the chivalrous and noble words of Ittai. See John 12:26 ; 1 Thessalonians 5:10.” (F. B. Meyer) We may use similar words of the one Greater than David for He has said: “If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.” (John 12:26) He died, says the apostle Paul, that “whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.” (1 Thessalonians 5:10) Moreover: This same brook was "afterwards passed over by the Son of David, the King of Israel, when He was rejected by Jerusalem.” (Wordsworth) We are called to follow the example of Jesus. He suffered "outside the gate.->

Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach. For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come.” (Heb 13:12-14)

“‘And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people crossed over’ (23) with the king. Jesus wept. But behold, joy come in the morning. “There was Zadok also, and all the Levites with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God. And they set down the ark of God,’ etc. (24a) “When the people at large forsook him, the people of God and strangers adhered to his cause. He saw [found] himself surrounded by the priests and the levites, for true religion embraces futurity and has a single eye to the glory of God, and affords therefore the best bonds of friendship in the day of tribulation, and under reverses of providence. The Gittites also who had followed him from Gath, followed him still, because they believed that God had not forsaken his anointed.” (Joseph Sutcliffe)

Ittai expressed the hearts of the faithful remnant. They want to be with the anointed King of Israel in life or in death. In death, for now, David is sleeping with the fathers in Sheol. For after our Lord’s resurrection, we have this testimony. “For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself: The LORD said to my Lord, ‘Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.’ (Ps 110:1).” (Acts 2:34-35) But Jesus- the Greater Son of David, the eternal King- tarried in the Sheol (the heart of the earth) for three days but then rose from the dead and has the keys of death and hades. He became our eternal High Priest.

2 Samuel 15: The Ark Stays in Jerusalem; Jesus Goes with David

24 There was Zadok also, and all the Levites with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God. And they set down the ark of God, and Abiathar went up until all the people had finished crossing over from the city. 25 Then the king said to Zadok, “Carry the ark of God back into the city. If I find favor in the eyes of the Lord, He will bring me back and show me both it and His dwelling place. 26 But if He says thus: ‘I have no delight in you,’ here I am, let Him do to me as seems good to Him.” 27 The king also said to Zadok the priest, “Are you not a seer? Return to the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz your son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar. 28 See, I will wait in the plains of the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me.” 29 Therefore Zadok and Abiathar carried the ark of God back to Jerusalem. And they remained there.

“Outside the story of our Lord, the Bible records nothing more admirable than David’s behavior as he passed through this thicket of thorns. He never appeared to better advantage than during those awful days. Tribulation had wrought patience, and patience experience, and experience hope, and his hope was destined not to be ashamed.” (F. B. Meyer) For like hope never is.

“’And Abiathar came up, and lo, Zadok came also, with all the Levites bearing the ark of the covenant of God" (2 Sam 15:24). We are pleased indeed that the RSV has retained these words, thus effectively checkmating the old critical dictum advanced in the last century to the effect that, 'The Levites are unknown to the Books of Samuel, so obviously (this mention of Levites) is a late insertion.’ [International Critical Comm] Such opinions, of course, are unacceptable. The Levites are mentioned in both Samuels, here and in 1 Samuel 6:15. Parallel accounts also which are found in Kings and Chronicles indicate most emphatically that the Levites during the reign of David fulfilled their usual purpose regarding the ark of the covenant; and there is no good reason for supposing that they were not involved here.” (Coffman Commentary)

“Abiathar went up - i. e., continued to ascend the Mount of Olives. Abiathar was high priest... Perhaps Zadok is addressed by David 2 Samuel 15:25 as the chief of those who were actually bearing the ark.” (Barnes) “Then come Zadok and the Levites with the ark. Zadok and Abiathar, who represent the priestly family, want to take the ark, but David does not. He doesn’t want to make the ark a mascot like in the days of Eli (1Sam 4:3-11). He is not superstitious. He knows that God is with him and that he is not dependent on a visible sign. David orders the ark to be taken back to the city, because there he belongs.” (de Koning)

“‘And they set down the ark of God, and Abiathar went up until all the people had finished crossing over from the city.” (24b) After their safe departure, the king told Zadok to carry the ark ack to its rightful place. Zadok, Abiahar and the Levites “knew David's great affection to them and their office, notwithstanding his failings.” (Matthew Henry)

But they were too loyal to him. If he goes into the wilderness, they will accompany him, “and take the ark with them, that, by it, they may ask counsel of God for him, 2 Samuel 15:24. Note, Those that are friends to the ark in their prosperity will find it a friend to them in their adversity. Formerly David would not rest till he had found a resting-place for the ark; and now, if the priests may have their mind, the ark shall not rest till David return to his rest.” (Matthew Henry)

“If I find favor in the eyes of the LORD, He will bring me back and show me both it and His dwelling place. But if He says thus: ‘I have no delight in you,’ here I am, let Him do to me as seems good to Him.” “David's answer is full, not only of devout resignation and trust in God, but is remarkable also for the absence of superstition... God will not judge him by any mere outward sign or privilege, but in truth and equity. If he deserves condemnation, he will not escape it by carrying the ark about with him. If, on the contrary, God accepts him, he will restore him to the enjoyment of his spiritual privileges, and bring him back to worship at the place which he has chosen for his dwelling. We must notice that he addresses these words to Zadok, who had remained with the ark.” (The Pulpit Commentary)

“The king also said to Zadok the priest, ‘Are you not a seer?’ etc. (27) Perhaps, seeing the mind of God by the Urim and the Thummim, but more likely a “seeing, or discerning, or observing man; for so the Hebrew verb raah is oft used.” (Matthew Poole) He was “able to do more by counsel and by prayer than he could do in the field.” (Joseph Sutcliffe) “’Thou hast thy eyes in thy head’ (Eccl 2:14), and therefore art capable of doing me service, especially by sending me intelligence of the enemy's motions and resolutions.’ One friend that is a seer, in such an exigency as this, was worth twenty that were not so quick-sighted.” (Matthew Henry) “‘Therefore Zadok and Abiathar carried the ark of God back to Jerusalem.’ “Outside the story of our Lord, the Bible records nothing more admirable than David’s behavior as he passed through this thicket of thorns. He never appeared to better advantage than during those awful days. Tribulation had wrought patience, and patience experience, and experience hope, and his hope was destined not to be ashamed.” (F. B. Meyer)

“Go Zadok, carry back the Ark! what though I have not the symbol and representation of Jesus, yet I shall have Jesus himself with me; and that will abundantly answer for all.” (Hawker’s Poor Mans’s Commentary)

2 Samuel 15: David Prays

30 So David went up by the Ascent of the Mount of Olives, and wept as he went up; and he had his head covered and went barefoot. And all the people who were with him covered their heads and went up, weeping as they went up. 31 Then someone told David, saying, “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” And David said, “O Lord, I pray, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!”

32 Now it happened when David had come to the top of the mountain, where he worshiped God—there was Hushai the Archite coming to meet him with his robe torn and dust on his head. 33 David said to him, “If you go on with me, then you will become 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 was your father’s servant previously, so I will now also be your servant,’ then you may defeat the counsel of Ahithophel for me. 35 And do you not have Zadok and Abiathar the priests with you there? Therefore it will be that whatever you hear from the king’s house, you shall tell to Zadok and Abiathar the priests. 36 Indeed they have there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz, Zadok’s son, and Jonathan, Abiathar’s son; and by them you shall send me everything you hear.”

37 So Hushai, David’s friend, went into the city. And Absalom came into Jerusalem.

“So David went up by the Ascent of the Mount of Olives, and wept as he went up; and he had his head covered and went barefoot. And all the people who were with him covered their heads and went up, weeping as they went up.’ Both the king and his people (the remnant of Israel including converts) in deep self- abasement humble themselves before the penal chastisements of God.” (Whedon's Commentary) They knew King David to be subject to like passions as they were. Thus: “They were affected with his grief and willing to share in it.” (Matthew Henry)

They wept as they went up to the Mount of Olives concerning the state of Jerusalem. The Lord has “once when approaching Jerusalem (Jn 11:17-18; 35; Lk 19:41). So it is here with David. He weeps, just like the Lord Jesus, because of the absence of peace for the city.” (G. de Koning) We should weep for the strife in the church. There will be none such unrest in the new Jerusalem— the eternal city of God.

“Then someone told David, ‘Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.’ “David felt that he could not cope with the combination against him. His heart fainted at the thought of the sagacity of the counsellor uniting with the daring and dash of the ambitious usurper.” (The Pulpit Commentary) "Ahithophel was a wise man, and well versed in state affairs; and God alone could confound his devices.” (Adam Clarke) With a short prayer, “he passes on his need to the LORD about this.” (G. de Koning)

“And David said, ‘O Lord, I pray, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!’ And the LORD answers by sending another foreigner. He was on the way, before David asked for help. “Now it happened when David had come to the top of the mountain, where he worshiped God—there was Hushai the Archite’ etc. It is as if David’s prayer about Ahithophel is answered by the LORD through the coming of Hushai, the Archite.” (G. de Koning) “He [too]came to condole with David on his present trouble, with his coat rent and earth upon his head.” (Matthew Henry)

But we must second our petitions to the LORD of hosts with our deeds or planning, else we tempt God. "The practical character of David's religion is seen in this—that, as soon as he had committed his desperate case to God, he took steps, through Hushai, to counteract the wisdom of Ahithophel…. This combination of trust in God and action among men is characteristic of all true religious life. ‘The effectual fervent prayer of the righteous man availeth much,’ and his labour also ‘is not in vain in the Lord.’” (The Pulpit Commentary)

David advised Hushai, “If you go on with me, then you will become a burden to me.” But let me tell you how you can help. "It appears that Hushai was not a warrior, but was a wise, prudent, and discreet man, who could well serve David by gaining him intelligence of Absalom's conspiracy; and he directs him to form a strict confederacy with the priests Zadok and Abiathar, and to make use of their sons as couriers between Jerusalem and David's place of retreat.” (Adam Clarke) “God uses this tactic of David to destroy the advice of Ahithophel.” (G. de Koning)

Hushai is called David’s friend. “The Lord Jesus, when He is rejected, calls us His friends (Jn 15:14-15). He does not hide from us what He is going to do.” (G. de Koning)— And we all play a part in His government, if we accept our calling. “For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many.” (1 Cor 12:12-14) “And Absalom came into Jerusalem. Absalom came, … etc. "How soon do royal cities and royal palaces change their masters? But we look for a kingdom which cannot be moved.” (John Wesley)