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Absalom's outrage. Flight of David from Jerusalem. 2 Samuel 15:1. After this, Absalom got himself chariots and horses and fifty fast walkers. After Amnon's death, Absalom found himself in the position of the king's eldest son, the most likely heir to his throne. There is nothing incredible in the fact that the prospect of this situation played a significant role in revenge against brother Amnon. Absalom's further actions have the goal of making the strongest impression on the people with the royal splendor of his surroundings, and with the ostentatious virtues of his character to attract the hearts of all Israel (see 2 Samuel 15:6). 2 Samuel 15:7. After forty years of David's reign, Absalom said to the king: I will go and fulfill my vow that I made to the Lord in Hebron; “After forty years of the reign of David.” It is assumed that a typo has crept in here. Instead of “forty years of the reign of David,” they read “four years” from the time of return to Jerusalem (or, according to Josephus, from the time of complete reconciliation with his father, (2 Sam. 14:33)) of Absalom. In the Hebrew text there are no words “reign of David”; Western commentators point out that there are none and in Syriac and Arabic texts (see “The Sacred Chronicle” by G. Vlastov, vol. IV, ed. 1893, p. 138, note). 2 Samuel 15:12. During the sacrifice, Absalom sent and called Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's advisor, from his city of Gilo. And a strong conspiracy was formed, and the people flocked and multiplied around Absalom. "Gilo" is a city south of Hebron. 2 Samuel 15:17. And the king and all the people went out on foot and stopped at Beth-merhat. “At Beth-Merhat”, in the Greek text - Ἐν οἴκω τῶ μακράν, i.e. in a distant dwelling. Philippson suggests that it was a country house or dacha (Lusthaus). In the Russian text this name is left without translation, as a proper name. Perhaps Beth-Merhat was not only a dacha, but an entire outskirts of the city, one of its “settlements”. 2 Samuel 15:18. And all his servants walked by his side, and all the Chelethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gathites, up to six hundred men, who had come with him from Gath, walked before the king. "chelethei" and "phelethei". See note. to (2 Samuel 8:18). "Gethites" - a detachment of Gathian Philistines under the command of the Gathite Ephtheus, who served in the service of David. 2 Samuel 15:19. And the king said to Ephthah the Gittite: Why are you coming with us? Go back and stay with that king; for you are a foreigner and came here from your own place; “You are a foreigner and came here from your place” - in order to earn money; and therefore join where it will be more profitable for you. 2 Samuel 15:23. And the whole earth cried with a loud voice. And all the people crossed over, and the king crossed over the brook Kidron; and all the people [and the king] went along the road to the wilderness. “The whole earth... all the people”, i.e. all who remained faithful to David. 2 Samuel 15:28. You see, I will tarry on the plain in the desert until news comes to me from you. “On the plain in the desert” - near the Jordan River. 2 Samuel 15:31. They reported to David and said: Ahithophel is also among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said: Lord [my God!] destroy the counsel of Ahithophel. Ahithophel's wise advice was valued as highly as if it were the advice of God himself (see 2 Samuel 16:23). 2 Samuel 15:32. When David ascended to the top of the mountain where he worshiped God, Hushai the Archite, a friend of David, came towards him; His clothes were torn, and dust was on his head. “Architian”, i.e. a resident of the city of Archi, located between Bethel and Atarof. 2 Samuel 15:33. And David said to him: If you go with me, you will be a burden to me; “You will be a burden to me,” since the sight of your unfeigned grief will only depress me. You might be interested in: