“And David numbered the people that were with him, and set captains of thousands and captains of hundreds over them.”
For certain of the Reubenites, Gadites, and of the half tribe, could not bear the insolence of the son against the father, and therefore joined with David.
“But the people answered, Thou shalt not go forth: for if we flee away, they will not care for us; neither if half of us die, will they care for us: but now thou art worth ten thousand of us: therefore now it is better that thou succour us out of the city. care: Heb. set their heart on us worth: Heb. as ten thousand of us succour: Heb. be to succour or help”
Signifying, that a good governor ought to be so dear unto his people, that they will rather lose their lives, than that ought should come unto him.
“So the people went out into the field against Israel: and the battle was in the wood of Ephraim;”
So called, because the Ephraimites (as some say) fed their cattle beyond Jordan in this wood.
“And Absalom met the servants of David. And Absalom rode upon a mule, and the mule went under the thick boughs of a great oak, and his head caught hold of the oak, and he was taken up between the heaven and the earth; and the mule that was under him went away.”
This is a terrible example of God’s vengeance against them that are rebels or disobedient to their parents.
“And Joab said unto the man that told him, And, behold, thou sawest him, and why didst thou not smite him there to the ground? and I would have given thee ten shekels of silver, and a girdle.”
Cross references: : Gen. 23:15
“And the man said unto Joab, Though I should receive a thousand shekels of silver in mine hand, yet would I not put forth mine hand against the king's son: for in our hearing the king charged thee and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Beware that none touch the young man Absalom. receive: Heb. weigh upon mine hand Beware: Heb. Beware whosoever ye be of, etc”
Hebrew, weigh upon mine hand .
“Otherwise I should have wrought falsehood against mine own life: for there is no matter hid from the king, and thou thyself wouldest have set thyself against me.”
Hebrew, a lie against my soul .
“Then said Joab, I may not tarry thus with thee. And he took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak. with: Heb. before thee midst: Heb. heart”
Hebrew, in the heart of Absalom .
“And Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing after Israel: for Joab held back the people.”
For he had pity of the people, which was seduced by Absalom’s flattery.
“And they took Absalom, and cast him into a great pit in the wood, and laid a very great heap of stones upon him: and all Israel fled every one to his tent.”
Thus God turned his vain glory to shame.
“Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and reared up for himself a pillar, which is in the king's dale: for he said, I have no son to keep my name in remembrance: and he called the pillar after his own name: and it is called unto this day, Absalom's place.”
Gen. 14:17 It seemed that God had punished him in taking away his children, 2 Sam. 14:27 .
“And Joab said unto him, Thou shalt not bear tidings this day, but thou shalt bear tidings another day: but this day thou shalt bear no tidings, because the king's son is dead. bear tidings this: Heb. be a man of tidings, etc”
For Joab bare a good affection to Ahimaaz, and doubted how David would take the report of Absalom’s death.
“And David sat between the two gates: and the watchman went up to the roof over the gate unto the wall, and lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold a man running alone.”
He sat in the gate of the city of Mahanaim.
“And the watchman cried, and told the king. And the king said, If he be alone, there is tidings in his mouth. And he came apace, and drew near.”
Hebrew, tidings are in his mouth .
“And the watchman said, Me thinketh the running of the foremost is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok. And the king said, He is a good man, and cometh with good tidings. Me: Heb. I see the running”
Hebrew, I see the running. He had experience of his fidelity, 2 Sam. 17:21 .
“And the king said, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Ahimaaz answered, When Joab sent the king's servant, and me thy servant, I saw a great tumult, but I knew not what it was. Is: Heb. Is there peace?”
To wit, Cushi, who was an Ethiopian.
“And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!”
Because he considereth both the judgment of God against his sin, and could not otherwise hide his fatherly affection toward his son.