“And when David was a little past the top of the hill, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple of asses saddled, and upon them two hundred loaves of bread, and an hundred bunches of raisins, and an hundred of summer fruits, and a bottle of wine.”
Which was the hill of olives, 2 Sam. 15:30 . Or, fig cakes.
“And the king said unto Ziba, What meanest thou by these? And Ziba said, The asses be for the king's household to ride on; and the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat; and the wine, that such as be faint in the wilderness may drink.”
Commonly there are no viler traitors than they, which under pretence of friendship accuse others.
“And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, thence came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera: he came forth, and cursed still as he came. he came forth: or, he still came forth and cursed”
Which was a city in the tribe of Benjamin.
“And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Come out, come out, thou bloody man, and thou man of Belial: bloody: Heb. man of blood”
Hebrew, man of Belial . Hebrew, man of blood .
“The LORD hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned; and the LORD hath delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son: and, behold, thou art taken in thy mischief, because thou art a bloody man. behold: Heb. behold thee in thy evil”
Reproaching him, as though by his means Ishbosheth and Abner were slain.
“Then said Abishai the son of Zeruiah unto the king, Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? let me go over, I pray thee, and take off his head.”
Cross references: : 1 Sam. 24:14 ; 2 Sam. 3:8
“And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the LORD hath said unto him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so?”
David felt that this was the judgment of God for his sin, and therefore humbleth himself to his rod.
“It may be that the LORD will look on mine affliction , and that the LORD will requite me good for his cursing this day. affliction: or, tears: Heb. eye”
Or, my tears. Meaning, that the Lord will send comfort to his, when they are oppressed.
“And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Go in unto thy father's concubines, which he hath left to keep the house; and all Israel shall hear that thou art abhorred of thy father: then shall the hands of all that are with thee be strong.”
Suspecting the change of the Kingdom, and so his own overthrow, he giveth such counsel as might most hinder his father’s reconciliation: and also declare to the people that Absalom was in highest authority.
“And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was as if a man had enquired at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom. oracle: Heb. word”
It was so esteemed for the success thereof.