Annotations upon the remaining historicall part of the Old Testament. The second part. to wit, the books of Joshua, Judges, the two books of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles, and the books of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther : wherein first, all such passages in the text are explained as were thought likely to be questioned by any reader of ordinary capacity : secondly, in many clauses those things are discovered which are needfull and usefull to be known ... and thirdly, many places that might at first seem to contradict one another are reconciled ... / by Arthur Jackson.

CHAP. XVII.

Vers. 2. ANd I will come upon him while he is weary and weak-handed, &c.] That is, whilest he is weary with the great march he hath taken, that he might suddenly get out of thy reach; and weak-handed, as being daunted with the suddennesse of this rising of the people against him.

Vers. 4. And the saying pleased Absalom well, and all the Elders of Israel.] This is noted to shew the villany of Absalom, who could applaud him, that had counselled to have his father slain by a sudden surprize, but especially as a circum∣stance that did wonderfully illustrate the mighty power of God, in defeating the counsel of Ahithophel, that however at the first propounding of his advice at the coun∣sel board, it seemed incomparably good, not to Absalom onely, but to all the rest of his counsel, yet God so brought it about, that afterward the same Absalom misliked this counsel, which he had at first so much applauded, and preferred the counsel of Hushai before it.

Vers. 8. They be mighty men, and they be chafed in their minds, as a beare rob∣bed of her whelps in the field.] That is, running up and down in the fields when she hath lost her whelps: both their known valour and their anger, being now dri∣ven from their wives, children, and estates, might assure Absalom that it would not be so easie a matter to terrifie them, and make them flee with a sudden assault, as Ahithophel had suggested.

And thy father is a man of warre, and will not lodge with the people.] That is, he is a man skilfull in martiall affairs, and knows well how to order his affairs for the prevention of all the dangers of warre, and therefore knowing that your aim will be presently to surprize him, if it be possible he will not at this time lodge in the ••amp amongst the souldiers, for fear there should be any traitours amongst them that should seek to betray him, but in some other place, so that it will not be so easie a matter to smite the king, and seize upon the king, and so put an end to the warre as Ahithophel hath apprehended it will be: thus these words of Hushai must be understood; for he doth not speak this, as if Generalls expert in warre, used never in those times to lodge with the people; but as with reference to Davids present

condition, to wit, that as things now stood with him, he was too cunning to be where he should be in danger of being surprized by his enemies; he would hide himself a while till he had gotten a stronger party about him.

Vers. 9. Behold, he is hid now in some pit, or in some other place, &c.] These words may be understood either with relation to that which went before shewing more fully how unlikely it was, that they should cease upon David, though they should presently pursue him, to wit, because he would not at that time lodge in the camp with his souldiers, but in some pit or cave, well known to him since in those places he used to hide himself from Saul & so would escape, though any distaster should happen to his followers; or else with relation to that which followeth, knowing that David, as an experienced souldier, was like enough to lie in ambush with his fol∣lowers in some cave, or such secret place, whence, saith he, suddenly rushing out up∣on thy men that pursue them, it is like they will put them to the worst, at least at first, and then, saith he, it wil come to passe, when some of them be overthrown, that is, some of those twelve thousand which Ahithophel intends to lead forth against thy father, the report will be, that thy souldiers are slaughtered, whosoever heareth will say, There is a slaughter among the people that follow Absalom, and so the stoutest of thy followers will be quelled, he whose heart is as the heart of a lion, shall ut∣terly melt: all will be appalled, and the businesse we have in hand, utterly and irre∣coverably ruined.

Vers. 10. For all Israel knoweth, that thy father is a mighty man, and they which be with him are valiant men.] This is added to prove what Hushai had said to Absalom, to wit, that upon the killing of some of his men at the first assault, there would be a report raised of a great slaughter amongst his men, and so all would be quelled and put to flight; how likely this was to be, he shews by this reason, taken from the great opinion which all the people had, of the exceeding valour of David and his men; namely, because this would make men the more inclinable, both to believe and to spread abroad such a report, and it would make the report also the more terrible to all that heard it.

Vers. 11. Therefore I counsel, that all Israel be generally gathered unto thee, from Dan even to Beersheba, &c.] Hushai aimed at Davids good in this counsel, that he might have the more respite to strengthen himself, and might not be suddenly surprized; yet it was so ordered too, that it was very like to take with Absalom: for first, it was cunningly fitted to this young gallants ambitious and insolent humour, who was like to desire to have the leading forth of his army himself (whereas Ahi∣thophel advised that he might go out with a party) and to be enflamed with the thoughts of having all Israel gathered, to follow him, from Dan, even to Beersheba, as the sand that is by the sea for multitude: and secondly, it carried a fair shew of wisdome, to make as sure work as could be, in a businesse of such consequence, name∣ly▪ by raising all the strength that possibly they could, ere they set upon David.

Vers. 12. We will light upon him, as the dew falleth on the ground.] That is, as the dew when it falls, overspreads the whole face of the earth, so shall we over∣spread the whole countrey where we come, by reason of the multitude of our army, so that whereever he is, we shall light upon him.

Vers. 13. If he be gotten into a citie, then shall all Israel bring ropes to that citie,

and we will draw it into the river, &c.] Bigge and brave words to enflame the spi∣rit of this proud prince. Now in speaking of pulling down this citie, he mentions the pulling of it into the river, because great and strong cities stand usually upon some river, waters being alwayes of great use and of great defence to any citie; or else by the river must be meant the trenches about the citie, which in the best forti∣fied cities are usually great, and full of water.

Vers. 16. Now therefore send quickly, and tell David saying, Lodge not this night in the plain, &c.] Though Absalom and the rest had preferred Hushai's coun∣sel before Ahithophels, yet Hushai like a prudent man, not knowing how suddenly their minds might alter again and embrace Ahithophels counsel, which now they had rejected, takes order to give David notice of that which had passed, and to advise him to hast away with all the speed he could, least they should suddenly go forth, as A∣hithophel had advised, and surprise him ere he was aware of them.

Vers. 17. Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz stayed by Enrogel, &c.] Which was in the borders of Judah and Benjamin not farre from Jerusalem: See Josh. 15.7. and 18.16. there they stayed because they might not be seen to come into the citie, to wit, because then they could not safely go forth thence to carry David tidings of that which passed in the citie, or because they were suspected; and a wench was sent to tell them this counsel of Hushai who might go to Enrogel (which signifies, the fullers fountain,) under a pretence of going to fetch water, or to wash there: and so the intelligence was carried to David.

Vers. 18. Neverthelesse a lad saw them, and told Absalom.] These sonnes of the priests Jonathan and Ahimaaz, being missing at Jerusalem, were it seems gene∣rally known to be of Davids party; and therefore a lad spying them, soon carried word of it to Absalom, who as speedily sent out his servants to surprize them.

But they went both of them away quickly, and came to a mans house in Bahu∣rim, which had a well &c.] Hearing or perceiving by some thing or other, that this lad had taken notice of them, and meant to discover them, they got them pre∣sently away, and in a well did hide themselves.

Vers. 19. And the woman took and spread a covering over the wels mouth, and spread ground corn thereon.] That is meal corn ground in a mill.

Vers. 21. Passe quickly over the water.] That is, over Jordan.

Vers. 22. By the morning light there lacked not one of them, &c.] Having tra∣velled all night, by the morning the whole army were got over Jordan.

Vers. 23. And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he sadled his asse, &c.] And so went home and hanged himself: to wit, first, because his proud heart was not able to brook the undervaluing of his counsel, which had been alwayes hitherto so highly esteemed; it went against his ambitious humour to think, that if Absalom should prevail, Hushai should have the glory of it and not he: and secondly and especially, because he was confidently perswaded, and did indeed right∣ly foresee, that this counsel of Hushai would be the cause of their ruine; that Da∣vid by this advantage of time, gained through Absaloms delay, would so strengthen himself, that he would put his sonne to the worse, when they came to fight it out in the field; and then he knew that David would be revenged on him for his treache∣ry; and even so Judas having betraid Christ, despairing of mercy, hanged himself.

Vers. 24. Then David came to Mahanaim.] A place of strength beyond Jor∣dan in the tribe of Gad, where Ishbosheth sought to strengthen himself, when he stood for the kingdome, chap. 2.8. Abner the sonne of Ner, captain of Sauls host, took Ishbosheth Sauls sonne, and brought him to Mahanaim.

And Absalom passed over Jordan he and all the men of Israel with him.] Not immediately after David was passed over, for Absalom stayed till he had gathered a mighty army of the people to him, as Hushai had counselled, vers 11. (and to inti∣mate this, it is here said, that he went over, he and all the men of Israel with him,) and so by this means David had time too, to gather a great army together of those that were faithfull to him, and to his crown.

Vers. 25. Which Amasa was a mans sonne whose name was Ithra, an Israelite, that went in to Abigail, &c.] Here we are told who were the parents of Amasa, that was now the Generall of Absaloms army: to wit, that Ithra was his father, and Abigail the sister of Zeruiah his mother. In the ••. Chron. 2.17. this Ithra is called Jether the Ishmaelite, And Abigail bare Amasa, and the father of Amasa was Jether the Ishmaelite: it seems therefore, that he was either an Ishmaelite by birth, but an Israelite by profession and habitation, and that because he became a proselite, and so joyned himself to the people of God; or else rather, he was an Israelite by descent, and was onely called Ithra, or Jether the Ishmaelite, because he had lived among the Ishmaelites, as severall others upon the same ground were called Hittites and Gittites, &c. nor can there indeed be any probable reason conceived, why this should be so particularly expressed here, that he was an Israelite, but onely this that it was to intimate, that however he was indeed generally called Ithra, or Jether the Ishmaelite, yet he was indeed of the stock of Israel as others were; as for his mo∣ther Abigail (of whom Ithra begat this Amasa, but not in lawfull marriage, for so much the words seem to import, that he went in to Abigail,) it is said here, that she was the daughter of Nahash sister to Zeruiah Joabs mother: now because it is evident, 1. Chron, 2.16 17. that both this Abigail the mother of Amasa, and Zeruiah the mother of Joab, were the daughters of Jesse, and sisters of David: (so that Joab and Amasa were cousin-germans, and David was uncle to them both.) either Jesse the father of David, Zeruiah, and Abigail, was also called Nahash; or rather, this Nahash was the wife of Jesse, the mother of Abigail.

Vers. 27. And it came to passe when David was come to Mahanaim, that Shobi the sonne of Nahash of Rabbah, &c.] Three chief men are here recorded that brought in store of provision to David, when he was in the wildernesse: the first is Shobi the sonne of Nahash of Rabbah: the most generall and probable opi∣nion is that this Shobi was a second brother to Hanun the sonne of Nahash. chap. 10.2. whom David for his fathers sake established in the kingdome after Hanuns overthrow; in thankfull remembrance whereof, he relieved David now in this his extremitie: the second is, Machir the sonne of Ammiel of Lo-debar: now consi∣dering that he was guardian to Mephibosheth, and had secretly kept him in his house when David came to the crown, chap. 9.4. not knowing then how David might deal with him, because he was of the house of Saul, it may well be, that when he came to see afterwards, that contrary to what he had feared, David did so much good to Mephibosheth the grandchild of his deadly enemy, this made Machir high∣ly

to esteem of David for ever after, and so consequently, the readier to commiserate him now in this time of his troubles, and to bring him relief: the third was, Bar∣zillai the Gileadite, of whom much more is spoken afterwards, in the nineteenth chapter.