2 Samuel 18:1-17 And David numbered the people that were with him, and set captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds over them.… 1. The first thing that strikes us in chap. 2 Samuel 18, is the "reward of faithfulness" in the appointment of the three captains. (Luke 22:28-30.) 2. The charge concerning Absalom (v. 2 Samuel 18:5; Romans 12:19; Galatians 6:1) — a lesson for us in our treatment of others. The Lord is ever saying, "Deal gently with my rebels." "The wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God." We are too like Joab, so indignant against the sinner that we forget our own weakness, and yet he followed Adonijah! And we too generally find when we are very indignant against soma one else, we are pretty sure to go away and commit the same sin. 3. The fate of Absalom. Two things are said to have contributed to his fate — his ostentation in going into battle on a mule instead of on foot, as David and all warriors did, and his vanity in wearing his hair long (though it does not follow that this caused his death, as we are only told that he was caught by his head, probably his helmet). The heap of stones — disgrace. (Joshua 7:26.) 4. The king's grief. (Luke 19:41; Romans 5:7.) A beautiful contrast between type and antitype "Would God I had died." "I lay down my life for the sheep." (R. E. Faulkner.) Parallel Verses KJV: And David numbered the people that were with him, and set captains of thousands and captains of hundreds over them. |
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