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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comKeil and Delitzsch Commentary - 2 Samuel 17:15 - 17:15
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David is informed of what has occurred. - 2Sa 17:15, 2Sa 17:16. Hushai communicated without delay to the priests Zadok and Abiathar the advice which had been given to Absalom both by Ahithophel and himself, and requested them to make it known to David as quickly as possible. “Stay not the night,” he said, “by the ferries (עַבְרֹות, as in 2Sa 15:28) of the desert; but rather go over, lest the king and all the people with him be destroyed.” וְגַם, “and indeed,” or after a negative clause, “but rather.” לַמֶּלֶךְ יְבֻלַּע is either “there will be a devouring,” i.e., destruction, to the king, it will fall upon him; of if we supply the subject from the previous clause תַּעֲבֹור עָבֹור as Böttcher proposes, “that it (the crossing over) may not be swallowed up or cut off from the king.” There is nothing to justify Ewald's explanation, “it (misfortune) is swallowed by him.” Hushai recommended of course an immediate crossing of the Jordan; because he did not know whether Absalom would really act upon his advice, although he had expressed his approval of it, or whether he might not change his mind and follow Ahithophel's counsel.