2 Samuel 18

A gracious soul thinks he can never kill sin enough. He deals with sin as Joab with Absalom (2 Samuel 18:14). He took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom.

For a great man, a man of great worth and usefulness I could perish, or die in his stead, that he might live and go free. We have a great example also of the importance of this expression in those words of David concerning Absolom (2 Samuel 18:33): [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] Wh…

1. The process of the story directs to another sense of words. Abraham was now returned with his forces to the Valley of Shaveh, which is the Kings Dale (ver. 17), a place not far from Jerusalem, called, as it is likely, the Kings Dale, from Melchisedec, to whom it belonged; whe…

We may open our mouths in confessions of sin, humble narratives pleading of promises, but not in self justifications, stormings against providence, or words of unbelief and impatience, so we must be dumb and not once open our mouths. Secondly, for what we have lost, we complain…

For then Paul and diverse of the saints of God, should have done works of supererogation, more than the law requires, in loving their neighbors more than themselves (Romans 9:1). And if it were a rule, it were but a leaden and false rule: for we are in some cases bound to love o…

Some instances on each word will illustrate our intention. Thus David expresses his desire to have died in the stead of Absolom, that he might have been preserved alive (2 Samuel 18:33), [⟨in non-Latin alphabet⟩], who will grant me to die; I for you my son Absolom; that is, in y…

Yet I cannot admit this of Job's children: surely he who had bestowed so much care in their upbringing, and had them still under his eye, could not suspect them of degenerating so soon into such palpable idolatry. [in non-Latin alphabet] (Psalm 46:2). (2 Samuel 18:18). Secondly,…

The other word trembling added to fear, adds emphasis, showing that it is no small fear that is required of servants: and it gives them to know that their masters having a power to punish them, they must so carry themselves as they provoke not their master to wrath, but be very…

When David suffered not Hushai his good friend, and wise counselor, to go with him when he fled from Absalom, but bade him return to the city and there abide, he had an eye to the good consequence that might follow thereupon (2 Samuel 15:33-34). And when Joab commanded Cushi rat…

He tasted death. And to die for another, is to undergo that death which that other should have undergone (2 Samuel 18:33). It is true, this death may be considered either in respect of its essence, (if I may be allowed so to speak) which is called the pains of Hell which Christ…

2. In deep sorrow, as Job 3:3, Elijah, 1 Kings 19:4: He requested for himself, that he might die; and he said, It is enough, now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am not better than my fathers. (3.) From the peevishness of fond and doting love (2 Samuel 18:33): And the King was…

It is a great remedy against all temptation of gain, and worldly profit, and temporal convenience. Look as that man that had a fear of the King upon his heart (2 Samuel 18:12): "Why did you not smite him to the ground?" says Joab; and the man answered, "Though I should receive a…

For his: the meaning of that particle is [reconstructed: in] two things. - 1. In their room, in their stead, (2 Samuel 18, last verse) would God I had died for you: (Romans 5:7-8) Christ [reconstructed: died] for us: we being sinners should have died and suffered ourselves; but…

Though others may outrun us, yet if we hold on to the end of the race we shall receive the reward. Some saints are like Asahel, light of foot as a roe (2 Samuel 2:18); they run swifter in the race of obedience, as Ahimaaz outran Cushi (2 Samuel 18:23). But this is the comfort of…

[In non-Latin alphabet] for notes most frequently vice, loco, in the place and stead. As also, [in non-Latin alphabet] (2 Samuel 18:33): would God I had died for you, Absalom. The Septuagint, the Syriac version, and the Chaldee paraphrase: in your stead, I would I had died, and…

He who is surety for another (as Christ was for us, Hebrews 7:22) is to undergo the danger that the other might be delivered. So David, wishing he had died for his son Absalom (2 Samuel 18:33), intended a commutation and substitution of his life for Absalom's, so that Absalom mi…

Who would plead for him that seeks his life? We are ready to say to the Minister concerning sin, as David to Joab concerning Absalom, 2 Samuel 18:5. Deal gently with the young man.

Washing in Jordan must do it, and there be better rivers in his own land, in Damascus: Not only God, but all his instruments, that he works by, must be eye-sweet to us, and carry God and omnipotency on their foreheads, else the mercy is no mercy to us. 2. Mercies cease to be mer…

1 By reason of their office, they stand in God's room, and bear God's image; and in that respect are called, God's sons, indeed, Gods (Psalm 82:6). 2 They are of greatest use, and in place to do most good; and in that respect are (as David's servants said of him) worth ten thous…

Evidently he changes turns with us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. Yes, in other things, it is plain in the Scripture, that to die for another, is to take his place and room, with an intention that he should live (2 Samuel 18:33; Romans 5). So that Christ…