2 Samuel 16:15

And Absalom, and all the people the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Benson Commentary

2 Samuel 16:15. Absalom and all the people came to Jerusalem — Probably a considerable time before David reached the banks of Jordan, to which he was marching. When David quitted Jerusalem, it was upon a persuasion that Absalom would make all the haste he could to possess himself of the capital, and, if possible, to surprise his father in it. And as he judged, so, it appears, it came to pass.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

16:15-23 The wisest counsellors of that age were Ahithophel and Hushai: Absalom thinks himself sure of success, when he has both; on them he relies, and consults not the ark, though he had that with him. But miserable counsellors were they both. Hushai would never counsel him to do wisely. Ahithophel counselled him to do wickedly; and so did as effectually betray him, as he did, who was designedly false to him: for they that advise men to sin, certainly advise them to their hurt. After all, honesty is the best policy, and will be found so in the long run. Ahithophel gave wicked counsel to Absalom; to render himself so hateful to his father, that he would never be reconciled to him; this cursed policy was of the devil. How desperately wicked is the human heart!

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

His cursing - Another reading has "my curse," i. e., the curse that has fallen upon me. David recognizes in every word and action that he was receiving the due reward of his sin, and that which Nathan had foretold.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

15-19. Hushai said unto Absalom, God save the king—Hushai's devotion to David was so well-known, that his presence in the camp of the conspirators excited great surprise. Professing, however, with great address, to consider it his duty to support the cause which the course of Providence and the national will had seemingly decreed should triumph, and urging his friendship for the father as a ground of confidence in his fidelity to the son, he persuaded Absalom of his sincerity, and was admitted among the councillors of the new king.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

No text from Poole on this verse.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And Absalom, and all the people, the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem,.... At the same time that David and his people came to Bahurim; which, as Josephus (z) says, was a place near to Jerusalem; and, according to Bunting (a), was little more than a mile from it; though elsewhere (b) he makes it three miles; so that had not David made the hasty flight he did, he had fallen into the hands of Absalom:

and Ahithophel with him: a famous counsellor, and who had been of David's privy council, and chief in it, see 2 Samuel 15:12 and whom David refers to in Psalm 55:12.

(z) Antiqu. l. 7. c. 9. sect. 4. (a) Travels, &c. p. 144. (b) Ib. p. 150.

Geneva Study Bible

And Absalom, and all the people the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

15–19. Absalom’s entrance into Jerusalem. Hushai’s offer of his services

15. And Absalom, &c.] The narrative of Absalom’s proceedings is continued from ch. 2 Samuel 15:12; 2 Samuel 15:37. He seems to have entered Jerusalem soon after David left it, perhaps about noon on the same day.

the men of Israel] The term Israel is constantly applied to Absalom’s followers in this narrative. It is used in a general sense, and not to signify the northern tribes as distinguished from Judah, for the strength of the insurrection, originally at any rate, lay in the south. See note on ch. 2 Samuel 15:10. Those who remained faithful to David are never called the men of Judah, but simply the people (ch. 2 Samuel 15:17; 2 Samuel 15:23-24; 2 Samuel 15:30; 2 Samuel 16, 17, 18, 19).

2 Samuel 16:15

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

When Absalom and "all the people, the men of Israel," i.e., the people who had joined him out of all the tribes of Israel (2 Samuel 15:10), came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him, Hushai the Archite also came and greeted him warmly as king, by exclaiming again and again, "Long live the king!"