Bible Commentary (1871–1879 Edition)
Rdlbch is TaLen. 2 SAMUEL XIIL Amnon DefiUs Tamar.
CHAPTER XIII.
aocortling to Oriental notions, as a part of the regalia to liis successor. 11. I will raise up evil against thee out
Ver. 1-5. Amnon Loves Tamar. 1. Tamar—Daugriicr of David by Maachah (ch. 3. 3). 2. for she was a virgin —Unmarried daugliters were kept iu close seclusiim trom the company of men ; no strangers, nor even their relatives of the other sex, being permitted to see them without the presence of witnesses. Of course, Amnon must have seen Tamar, for he had conceived a violent passion for her, which, tliough forbidden by the law (Leviticus
tliiue own Iiouse, &c.—Tlie prophet speaks of God tlireateninj; to do what He onlj' permitted to be done. The tact is, that JDavid's loss%f cliaracter by the discovei'y of his crimes, tended, in the natural course of things, to diminish tlie respect of his family, to weaken the autliorit.v -j{ his government, and to encourage the prevalence of any disorders throughout his kingdom. 15-:J3. th* liord struck the cliild . . . nnd it was very sick—The
Is. 11), yet with the sanction of Abraham's example (Genesis 20.12), and tlie common practice in neighbouring countries for princes to marry their half sisters, he seems not to have considered an improper connection. But he had no means of making it known to her, and the pain of that disappointnt Vnt preying upon his mind produced a visible change in his appearance and healtli. 3. .Tonadab, tile son of Shimeah—Or Shammah (1 Samuel 1G.9). By the counsel and contrivance of this scheming cousin a plan was devised for obtaining an unrestricted interview with the object of his attachment, my broilier Absalom's sister—In Eastern countries, where polygamy prevails, tlie girls are considered to be under, the special care and protection of their uterine brother, who is the guardian of their interests and their honour, even more than their father himself (see on Genesis 34. 6-25).
firnt visible cliastisement inflicted on David appeared on the person of that child which was the evidence and monument of his guilt. His domestics were surprised at his conduct, and in explanation of its singularity, it is necessary to remark that the custom in t!ie East is to leave the nearest relative of a deceased person to tlie full and undisturlied indulgence of liis grief, till on tlie tiiird or fourtli day at farthest (John 11. 17), the other relatives and friends visit him. Invite him to eat, lead liira to a batli, bring him a change of dress, which is necessary from his having sat or lain on the ground. The surprise of David's servants, then, who had seen his bitter anguisli while the child was sick, arose apparently from this, that when he found it was dead, he who had so deeply lamented arose of himself from the earth, witliout waiting for their coming about him, immediately bathed and anointed
6-27. He Defiles Her. 6. Amnon lay down, and made himself sick—The Orientals are great adepts in feigning sickness, whenever tliey have any object to accomplish, let Tamar my sister come and m.ike me a conjile of cakes—To the king Amnbn spoke of Tamar as "his sister," a term artfully designed to hoodwink his father; and the request appeared so natural, tlie delicate api)etite of a sick man requiring to be humoured, that tlie king promised to send her. The cakes seem to have been a kind of fancy bread, in the preparation of which Oriental ladies take great delight, and Tamar, flattered by the invitation, lost no time in rendering the reipiired service in the house other sick brother. 12-14. do not force me—The remonstrances and arguments of Tamar were so atrecting and so strong, that had not Amnon been violently goaded on by the lustful passion of which lie had become the slave, they must have prevailed with him to desist from his infamous purjiose. In bidding him, Iiowcver, "speak to the king, for he will not withhold me from thee," it is probable that she urged this as her last resource, saying any thing she thought would lUease him, in order to escape for the present out of his hands. 15. Then Amnon hated her exceedingly—It is not unusual lor persons instigated b.v vlohnt and irregular (lassions to go from one extreme to another. In .-Vmniin's case the sudden revulsion Is easily accounted for; the atrocity of his conduct, with all the feelings of shame, remorse, and dread of exposure and punishment, now burst upon his mind, rendering tlie presence of Tamar intoleralily painful to him. 17. bolt the door alter her —The street door of houses In the East is always kept barro<l—the bolts beirtg of wood. In the great mansions, where a porter stands at the outside, this precaution is dispensed with; and the circumstance, therefore, of a prince giving an order so unusual shows the vehement lierluibation ol' Aiiiiion's mind. 18. a garment of divers colours—As embroidery in ancient times was the occupation or pastime of ladles of the highest rank, the possession of these parti-coloured garments was a mark of dislinction ; they were worn exclusively by young women of royal condition. Since the art of nianufacluring cloth stulls has iiiade so gredt progress, dros.ses of this variegated descriiilion are more ('omnion in the East. 10. TauKar put aslies on Iter bend, and rent her garment of divers colours , . . laid her hand on her head, and went on crying—/, p., sobbing. Oriental manners would probal)ly sei nothing beyond a strong sense of the Injury Hho had sustained, if Tamar actuall.v rent her garinent.s. But, as her veil is not mentioned, il Is probable that Amnon had turned her out of doors without it, and she raised her hand with tlie design to conceal her face. By hi)nself, instead of appearing as a mourner, and after worshiping God with solemnity, returned to his wonted repast, without an.v interposition of others.
2t, 2.5. SoT.OMON IS Horn. 34. Batli-sSieba . . . bare a son, a>i<l lie ealled Uis name Solomon i. e., peaceable. But Nathan gave him the name of Jedediah, by command of God, or perhaps only as an expression of God's love. This love and the noble gifts witli which he was endowed, considering the criminality of the marriage from wliicii he sprang, is a remarkable instance of Divine goodness and grace.
2'i-:il. Rarbah is Taken. 20. Joab fouglxt anlnst R»bt>aU—Tlie time during which this siege lasted, since the intercourse with Bath-slieba, and the birth of at least one c'.iild, if not two, occurred during the progress of it, probaljly extended over two years. 27. the city of wnttTs—Habbah, like Aroer, was divided into two parts —one the lower town, insulated b,y the winding course of the Jabbok, whi('li flowed almost round it, and the lipjH-r and stronger town, calli'd the royal city. "The first was taken by Joab, but the honour of capturing so strongly a tjrtitied place as the other was an honour reserveil for t*e king himself." 28. encamp against the city, ami take it— It has always been characteristic of Oriental desjjots to monopolize military honours; and as the ancient world knew nothing of the I'liodern rctinement of kings gaining victories by tlieir generals, so Joab sent for David to command the final assault in person. ' A large force was levied for tlie purpose. David without much dilliculty captured the royal city, and ol)Iaiiied possession of its immense wealth, lest 1 take tlie city, anil it be called after my name—The circumstance of a cily receiving a new name after some great person, as Alexandria, fJonstantiuoiile, llyderabail, is of frequent occurrence in the iincicnt anil modern liistory of the East. 30. he took the kiuji^'s crown from olf his head —Willie the treasures of the (uty were gi viMi as plunder to his soldiers, David reserved lo himself the crown, vliicli was of rarest value. Its great weight makes it probable that it was like many ancient crowns, not worn, but suspended over the head, or tl.xed on a ennoiiy on the top of the tlirono. the preciojis ntnnvn—Ifrhrrii\ stone was a round ball composed of pearls and other jewels, which was in the crown, ami probably taken out of it to be Inserted in David's own crown, '.ti. lie brouj;ltt fortli the people, and put tliein under saws, This excessive severity and employment of tortures, which the Hebrews on no other occasion are recorded to have practised, was an act of retriluitlve Justice on a people who were Infamous for tlieir cruelties {1 Samuel 11.2; Amos
EASTERN ARTICLES OF DRESS, AND OF THE TOILET.
Frum Layard, ii. S24. Gen. xviti. 4. MTFiRORS. Ex. Kxzviii. H,
Amnon is Slain, and Absalom Fleeth. 2 SAMUEL Xl\. Joab Sent to Bring Absalom Uvme, it, so as not to be prematurely discovered. Having got the king pli'dged, slie avowed it to her design to satisfy the royal conscience, tliat in pardoning Absalom he was doing nothing more than he would have done in the case of a stranger, where there could be no imputation of partnpse signs, especially I lie rending of lier dlst- .igui Miinfj r<)l)e, AlKsalom at once conjecluied what liaU taken place. Reconinienaing lier to he silent al)out it, and not publish her own and her lainilj 's dishonour, he took no notice of it to Aniuon. But all the while he was in secret "nursing his wrath to keep it warm," and only "biding tiality. The device succeeded ; David traced its origin to Joab; and, secretly pleased at obtaining the judgment of that rough, but generally sound-thinking soldier, co)nmissioned him to repair to Geshur and biing home his exiled son. 7. tbey sliali queitcli jny coal wliielt is left—The life of man is compared in Scripture to a liglit. To (luencli the light of Israel (ch.21. 17) is to destroy the king's life; to ordain a lamp for any one (I'salm l;>2. 17j is to grant him posterity; to (jueiicli a coal signifies here his titue" to avenge his sister's wrongs, and by the removal of the heir-apparent perhaps further also his ambitious tlesigns. !iO. So T.Tiitar remained desolate in l»er brother Absalom's bouse—He was her natural protector, and the children of polygamists lived by themselves, as if they constituted dilterent families. !J3. Absalom bad sbeep-slienrers in Banl-baxor, wliicli is beside Kplii-aim—A slieep-shearing feast is a grand occatlie <'Xlinction of this woman's only remaining li()pc that the name'and family of her husband would be preserved. The ligure is a beautiful one; a coal live, but Ij-ing under a heav> of embers—all that she had to rekintllo her lii'e— to light her lamp in Israel. 9. the woman said . . . O king, the iniquity be on me— i. e., the iniquity ol arresting the course of justice and pardoning a homicide, wliom the God was bound to slay wherever he miglit find him, unless in a city of refuge. This was exceeding the royal Ijrerogative, and acting in the character of an absolute monarch. The woman's language refers to a common precaution taken by the Hebrew judges and magistrates, solemnly to transfer from themselves the responsil)ility of the lilood they doomed to be shed, either to the accusers or the criminals fch. 1. Ifi; 3. 28); and sometimes tlie accusers took it upon themselves (Matthew 27. 25). 13-17. Wikcrefore, tben, bast tiiou tbongbt snob a tiling against the people of God, &c.—Her argument may be made clear in the following paraphrase:—You have gran ted me Die pardon of a son who had slain his brotiier, and .yet you will not grant to your subjects the restoration of Absalom, whose criminality is not greater than my son's, since he killed his brother in similar circumstan(^es of provocation. Absalom has reason to comjilain tliat he is treated by his own father nrore sternly and si'verely than the meanest subject in the realm; and the M'hole nation will liave cause for saying that the king shows more attention to the petition of a humble woman thai; to the wishes nud desires of a whole ki'.igdom. 'The <ieath of my son is a private loss to my family, while the preservation of Absalom is the conrmon interest of all Israel, who now look to him as your successor on the throne.
sion in the East. Absalom proposing to give such an entcrtaintnent at his estate in Baal-hazor, about eight miles iiorth-eastof Jerusalem, neara town called Ephraim (Joshua 11. 10), he rlrst invited the king and liis court ; but the king declining, ou account of the heavy expi'iise to wJiicli t!ie reception of royalt,y would subject him, Absalom then 'limited the invitation to the king's sons, which Uavid the more readily agreed to, in the hope tliat it might tend to the promotion of brotherly harmony and union.
2S-:;ii. AmNOX IS St.AIN. ^I. AJ>salom bad coiumanled itis sKrvaiits, saying, WJien Aictnon's lieart is nierry witlt wine . . . kill bim, fear not—On a preconcerted signal from their master, the servants, rusliing upon Amnon, slew him at the table, while the rest of the brotliers, horror-struck, and apprehending a general massacre, tied in all Vighled haste to Jerusalem. !i9. Every man gat
Iiliii iiiioit Ills mnle— This had become the favourite eijuipage of the great. King David himself had a state )nvde (.1 Kings l.:S!). The Syrian mules are, in activity, strrngth, and capabilities, still far superior to ours. 30. tidings eamc to David, saying, Absalom batb slain all tinking's sons— It was natural that in the consternation and tumult caused by so atrocious a deed, an exaggerated report shou'd reach the court, wliich was plunged into the depths of grief and despair. But the information of Jonadab, who seems to have been privy to the design, and the arrival of tlie other princes, nmde known tlie real extent of the catastrophe.
'M-XK AnsAl.OM Fi.EES TO Talmai. 37. Absalom fled, and went to Talmai—The law as to premeditated murder (Numbers 35. 21) gave him no hope of remaining with impunity in liis own country; the cities of refuge could afford him no sanctuary, and he was compelled to leave the kingdom, taking refuge at the court of Gesliur, with his maternal grandfather, who would, doubtless, approve of his conduct.
Joab Brings Absaloji to Jerusai.em. 23. To-day tJ»y servant knowetli tliat I h.ave found grace in tiiy siglit—Joab betrays not a little selfishness amid his professions of joy at this act of grace to Absalom, and flat lered himself that he now brought both father and son under lasting obligations. In considering this act of David, many extenuating circumstances may be urged in favour of it ; the provocation given to Absalom ; his being now in a country where justice could not overtake him; the risk of his imbibing a love for heathen principles and worship; the safety and interests of the Hebrew kingdom; together with the strong predilection of the Hebrew people for Absalom, as represented by the stratagem of Joab
CHAPTER XIV.
Ver. 1-21. Joab Instructs a Womanof Tekoaii. 3. Joab sent to Teltoalt, and fetched a wise -jvotnan—The king was stronglj' attached to Absalom ; and having now got over his sorrow for the violent death of Amnon, was desirous of again enjoying the society of his favourite son, who had now been three long years absent. But a dread of public opinion and a regard to the public interests made him hesitate about recalling or pardoning his Ruilty son ; and Joab, whose discerning mind perceived this struggle between parental affection and royal duty, devised a plan for relieving the .scruples, and, at the same time, gratifying the wishes, of his master. Having procured a count rywom.ln of superior intelligence and address, he directed her to seek an audience of the king, fftid by soliciting his royal interposition in the s-ettlenient of a domestic grievance, convinced him that the life of a murderer might in some cases be saved. Tekoah was about twelve miles south of .Jerusalem, and six south of Bethlehem; and the design of bringing a woman from such a distance was to prevent either the petitioner being known, or the truth of her story easily investigated. Her Bpeech was In the form of a parable—the circumstances the language—the mannerwell suited to the occasion, represented a case as like David's as It was policy to make these considerations form a plausible apolog.y for David's grant of pardon to his bloodstained son. But, in granting this pardon, he was acting in the character of an Oriental despot rather than a constitutional king of Israel. The feelings of the father triumphed over the duty of the king, who, as the supreme magistrate, was bound to execute impartial justice on every murderer, by the express law of God (Genesis 9. 6; Numbers 35.30, 31), which he had no power to dispense with (Deuteronomy IS. IS; Joshua
].S; 1 Samuel 10.25). 35. Bnt in all Israel tl>ere was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his Iteatity —This extraordinary popularity arose not only from his high spirit and courtly manners, hut from his uncommonly handsome appearance—one distinguished feature of which, seemingly an object of great ailmiration, was a profusion of beautiful hair. Its extraordinary luxuriance compelled him to out It "at every year's end;" lit., "at times," "from time to time," when It was found to weigh
200 shekels—equal to 112 oz. troy; but as " the weight waa 203
Absalom Sleds the ITearis of Israel. 2 SAMUEL XV, XVI. David Flees from Jerusalem.
after the king's shekel," which was less than the common shekel, Uie rate lias lieen reduced as low as 8 II is. 2 oz.
piety, and desired to see religious engagements punctuiilly performed, gave his consent an<l his blessing.
[ISOCIIAKT], and even less by others. So Absalom dwelt two full years in Jeiusaltni, nnrt saw not tllc Uins's face—Wliatever error David committed in autliorizing tlie recall of Absalom, he displa.ved great prudence and command oveihis feelings afterwards—for his son was not admitted into liis father's jiresence, hut was eonlined to his own house, and the society of liis own famil.y. This slifilit severity was designed to bring liim to sincere repentance, on perceiving that his father had not fully pardoned him, as well as to convince the people of David's abhorrence of his crime. Not Ifeing allowed to appear at court, or to adopt any state, the courtiers kept aloof; even his cousin did not deem it prudent to go into his .societ.v. For two full years his liberty was more restricted, and his
liE Points A CONSPIKACY. 10. Absalom Sent spies tbrouglkont all the tribes of Israel—These emissaries were to sound the inclination of the people, to further t he interests of Absalom, and exhort all the adherents of his part.v to be in readiness to join his standard as soon as they should hear that he had been proclaimed king. As the summons was to be made by the sound of trunipets, it is probable that care had been taken to have trumpeters stationed on the heights, and at convenient stations— mode of announcement that would soon spread the news over all the country of his inauguration to the throne. 11. witik Absalom went two Unndred men that were called—From their quality, reputation, ami high standing, such as would create the impression that the king patronized the movement, and, being aged and infirm, was willing to adopt his eldest and noblest son to divide life moi'e apart from his countrymen wliile living in .lerusalein, than in Geshur; and he might have continued in this disgrace longer, had he not, by a violent expedient, determined (v. 30) to force his case on the attention of Joab, through whose kind and powerful influ<'nce a full reconciliation was et Tected between him and his father.
him tlie cares and honours of government. 12. Absalom sent for Aliithoiiliel—who he knew was ready to join the revolt, through disgust and revenge, as Jewish writers assert, at David's conduct towards Bath-sheba, who was his grand-daughter. Glloli—Near Hebron, the conspiracy was strong—The rapid accession of one place after another in all pai'ts of the kingdom to the party of the insurgents, shows that deep and general dissatisfaction existed at this time against the person and government of David. The remnant of Saul's partisans—the unhappy attair of Bath-sheba — the overbearing insolence and crimes of Joab—negligence and obstruction in the administration of justice, wore some of the principal causes that contributed to the success of this widespread insurrection.
CHAPTER XV.
Ver. 1-9. An.sALOM Steals the Hearts of Iskael. 1. Absalom prepared liiin cliariots and liorses, and fifty men to r\m before Itim—This wasassuming thostateand equipage of a prince. The royal guards, called runners, avant-couriers, amounted to fifty (1 Kings 1. 5). The chariot, as the Hebrew indicates, was of a magnificent style; and the horses, a novelty among the Hebrew people only introduced in that age as an appendage of royalty (Psalm
13-87. David Flees KKOM Jerusalem. 14. David said. Arise, and let ns flee—David, anxious for the preservation of the cit.y which he had beautified, and confidingin a greater support throughout the country, wisely resolved on leaving Jerusalem. IH. all the Gittites, si.x hundred men—These were a bod.y of foreign guards, natives of Gath, whom David, when in the country of the Philistines, had enlisted in his service, and kept around his person. Addressing their commander, Itlai, he made a searching
32. 9; (id. 12), formed a splendid retinue, which would make him"t'ne o))servod of all observers." 2. Absalom rose up early, and stood before the way of tbe S"**"—Public business in the Kast is alwaj's transacted early in the morning—tlie kings sitting an hour or more to hear causes or receive petitions, in a court held anciently, and in man.y places still, in the open air at thecity gatewa.y; so that, as those whose circumstances led them to wait on King David required to be in attendance on his morning leve(>s, Absalom had to rise up early and stand beside thp way of the gate. Through the growing infirmities of age, or the occupation of his government with foreign wars, many private causes had long lain undecided, and a deep feeling of discontent prevailed amongst the people. This dissatisfaction was artfull.y fomented by Absalom, who addressed himsfdf to the various suitors, and after briefly hearing their tale, gratified every one with a favourable opinion of liis case. Studiously concealing his ambitious designs, he expressed a wish to be invested with ofiicial power, only that he might accelerate the course of justice and advance the public interests. His professions had an air of extraordinary generosity and disinterestedness; and, togetlier with his fawning arts in lavishing civilities on all, made him a popular favourite. Thus, b.y forcing a contrast between hi.s 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 alfeclions of the multitude, who neither penetrated tlie motive nor foresaw the tendency of his conduct. 7. after forty years— J I is genetrial of their fidelity in bidding them (v. 19) abide with the new king. 33. the brook KIdron—A winter torrent that flows through the valle.v between the city and the eastern side of the Mount of Olives. 24. Zadok and all the Levites bearing the ark—Knowing the strong religious feelings of the aged king, they brought it to accompany him in his distress. But as he could not doubt that both the ark and their sacred office would exempt them from the attacks of the rebels, he sent them back with it—not only tliat tlie.v might not be exposed to the perils of uncertain wandering—for he seems to place more confldei ce in the symbol of the Divine presence than in God Himself—but that, by remaining in Jerusalem, they might render him greater service by watching the enem.v's movements. 30. David went up by the ascent of flloiint Olivet—The same pathwa.y over that mount has been followed ever since that memorable day. had his head covered—with a mourning wrapper. The humility and resignat ion of David marked strongl.v his sanctified spi -it, induced by contrition for his transgressions. He I ad fallen, liut it was the fall of the upright; and he rise again, submitting himself meekly in the mean time to '.he will of God. [(JJIALMIOUS.] 31. David snid. Turn, O To rd, the counsel of AliltlioplicI—This senator bei ng the nia Uislay of the conspinicy. '•t:i, wlieii David was come to rall.v admitted that an error has here cri>pt into the te.xl, and that instead of forty, we should read with the S.yriac and Arabic versions, and Josephus, "four years"—i.e., after Absalom's return to Jerusalem, and his beginning to practice tlie base arts of gaining iiopiilarity. my vow wliicit I Slave vowed nnto tbe T<ord— During his exile In Geshur; and the purjiort of it was, that wlu'iiever God's providence should pave the way for his rc-estalilishment In Jerusalem, he would oiler a sacrifice of thanksgiving. Hebron was the spot selected for the performaiue of this vow, ostensibly as ludng his native place (cli. :i. ;!), and a famous high place, where sacrifices were frequently oU'ered before the temple was built; but really as being In many respects the most suitable for the commencement of his rebellious (^nterii'-isc. David, who always encouraged 204 f He (op r»f Hie mount, wlK're lie worshipped— Looking towar<lK .lerusalcm, where wen; tlu' ark and tabernacle. Huslial tlie Arelilte—A native of Archi, on the frontiers of Benjamin and lOphraini (Joshua 2). (loniparing the pra.ver against Ahitliopliel with the counsel to Hushni, we see how strongly a spirit of fervent piety was combined In his character with the devices of an activvand far-seeing policy.
CIIAPTEIl XVI.
Ver. 1-1. ZnsA, hy Fal.sk Suooestions, Claim.* Ili.'j Mastek's Jniieuitance. 1. Zlba the servant of ftk'DUl*