Westminster Annotations, 2 Samuel (2 Kings) · Chapter 15
CHAP. XV.
Vers. 1. FIfty men] That is, a retinue and guard which he thought fit for him who was heir to the crown.
V. 2. of the gate] To wit, of the kings court, appointed to be the place of Judicature.
came] Hebr. to come.
of the tribes] That is, of this or that city, situated in such or such a tribe.
V. 3. there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee] Or, none will hear thee from the king downward: That is, to examine thy cause, and to do thee justice: which was a base slander, as appeareth, Chap. 8. 15.
V. 4. Oh that] So Gaal, Judg. 9. 29.
V. 5. any man] That is, without respect of persons, poor or rich, to shew that he onelyonly respected justice and the common good.
V. 6. stole] To wit, from David his father, whose they were by right and duty, unto himself, to whom they belonged not.
V. 7. after fourty yeers] It is uncertain from what time these fourty yeers are to be reckoned: Some would have it, from the beginning of Sauls reign, when the monarchie in Israel begun; Some, from the beginning of Davids reign, Chap. 5. 5. But the most probable opinion is, That they are to be computed from the time that David was first anointed king, 1 Sam. 16.
pay my vow, which] Or, pay my vow in Hebron, which, &c.
V. 8. Geshur] Where he had lived as an exile three yeers.
serve the Lord] By offering a peace-offering or sacrifice of thanksgiving, which was lawfull to do in any place.
V. 10. sent spies] To draw the people to his party, who were already too much enclined towards him, vers. 6. and to discover how the chief in every tribe stood affected towards him.
reigneth] That is, is anointed king in Hebron, with all regall ceremonies, and is so accepted and proclaimed by the people, Chap. 19. 10.
V. 11. were called] Namely, to the feast of the peace-offering, not knowing any thing of his rebellion, 1 Sam. 9. 13. & 16. 3, 5.
V. 12. Giloh] A city in Judah, Josh. 15. 51.
V. 14. bring] Heb. thrust.
the city] That is, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, if they make resistance, and stand in our defence.
V. 15. appoint] Heb. choose▪
V. 16. houshold] That is, his courtiers and officers.
after him] Heb. at his feet.
V. 17. far off] To wit, from Jerusalem.
V. 18. Cherethites] Which were his guard. See Chap. 8. 18. 1 King. 1. 38.
V. 19. the Gittite] Who was captain of the six hundred Gittites that came from Gath, and as some suppose, the king of Gaths son.
the king] That is, Absalom, whom they have anointed king.
a stranger] And therefore hast no reason to hazard thy life with me, and for my sake, and being none of mine house, but a stranger, the new king will neither suspect nor hurt thee, or thy followers.
V. 20. yesterday] That is, but a little while since.
make thee go] Heb. make thee wander in going.
brethren] That is, thy countrey men and followers.
mercy] That is, God recompense thy faithfulnesse to me, with his chief blessings.
V. 22. passe over] That is, the river Kidron, vers. 23. which lay between the city and the mount of Olives.
V. 23. countrey] All the people inhabiting about Jerusalem.
all the people] To wit, which accompanied David.
Kidren] Called John 18. 1, Cedron.
wildernesse] Which was east-ward from Jerusalem, between Jerusalem and Jordan.
V. 24. Zadok] To wit, the second priest, Chap. 8. 17. and Abiathar the high priest.
bearing] Which was the charge of the Kohathites, Num. 4. 4.
went up] That is, as it is likely, to the mount of Olives, from whence he viewed the people as they passed by with David out of Jerusalem over the brook Kidron.
V. 25. his habitation] That is, his tabernacle or tent, in which the ark stood, the sign of Gods grace and presence.
V. 26. no delight] That is, if he doth not accept of me, but is pleased to try and correct me further, I wholly submit to his will.
V. 27. a scer?] 1 Sam. 9. 9. That is, who as a prophet consultest with God by Urim, and a teacher of the people, who now most of all need thy presence and guidance.
V. 28. come word] Till you give me notice of what shall be done in the city, and the new kings court.
V. 30. and wept as he went up] Heb. going up and weeping.
covered] In token of mourning and humiliation, according to the manner of close mourners, Ch. 19. 4. Esth. 6. 12. Jer. 14. 3.
bare-foot] As a sign of sorrow and shame, Isai. 20. 3, 4.
V. 31. foolishnesse] Which prayer God heard and granted, Chap. 16. 21. and 17. 14, 23.
V. 32. the mount] That is, of Olives, turning himself towards mount Sion, where the tent was pitched, in which was the ark, the sign of Gods presence, and type of Christ; to which, when they prayed, they used to turn their faces, 1 King. 8. 44, 48. Dan. 6. 10.
coat rent] See Chap. 1. 2.
earth] In sign of deep humiliation. See Josh. 7. 6. 1 Sam. 4. 12. 2 Sam. 13. 19.
V. 33. a burden] Altogether unprofitable and troublesome.
V. 35. hast thou not] That is, they are surely there. See Judg. 4. 6. and they will be ready to assist thee with their counsell, and all their endeavours.
V. 36. they have there] To wit, as David thought, who sent them away to the city together, not knowing that by their fathers command they stayed at En-rogel, Chap. 17. 17.