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The Insurrection Begun
v. 1. And it came to pass after this, shortly after Absalom had received the pardon of his father, that Absalom prepared him chariots, a state-chariot, and horses, and fifty men to run before him, to be runners or footmen. He thus appeared before the people in royal state and influenced their minds to think of him as the coming ruler.
v. 2. And Absalom rose up early, in order to impress people with his zeal in their behalf, and stood beside the way of the gate, at the entrance to the royal palace; and it was so that, when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, if he had a matter in which he sought the king's decision, then Absalom, with every show of winning condescension, called unto him and said, of what city art thou? Such an inquiry on the part of a royal prince was, of course, very flattering to the average member of the nation. And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel, a member of the Israelitish nation, belonging to this or that specific tribe.
v. 3. And Absalom, who had inquired also about his business, said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right, his decision being made without a thorough investigation of the matter; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee. The "hearers" of Oriental kings were judicial officers whose duty it was to investigate the matters brought to the king's court, the king usually deciding on the basis of their findings. It is possible that neglect and partiality had crept in without the knowledge of David, so that Absalom could avail himself of a dissatisfaction already existing.
v. 4. Absalom said moreover, in following up the advantage of the good impression made by this bid for the people's favor, Oh that I were made judge in the land, literally, "Who will establish me as judge in the land?" that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice! Absalom's imagination causes him to see the people crowding around him as he sits on the throne of judgment before them, eager to correct all the faults which had crept into the judicial procedure of the kingdom
v. 5. And it was so that, when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, to fall down before him and render him homage, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him, thus feigning an affability which was ready to acknowledge all men as brothers.
v. 6. And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment; so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel, secretly, by guile, gained them for himself, made everything ready for the insurrection which he had planned.
v. 7. And it came to pass after forty years, about four gears after Absalom's return to Jerusalem, that Absalom said unto the king, I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow which I have vowed unto the Lord in Hebron. He pretended that his vow required a sacrifice in the city of his birth, but in reality he considered Hebron a city peculiarly suited for his temporary capital after he had been proclaimed king.
v. 8. For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, during his banishment, saying, if the Lord shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the Lord, namely, by a special sacrifice.
v. 9. And the king said unto him, Go in peace. Since full order had not yet been restored in the religious observances of Israel and the strict law of Leviticus 2Sa_17:3-4, was not in practical operation, such sacrifices, especially in priestly cities, were not unusual at that time. So he arose and went to Hebron, to carry out his intention of gaining the kingdom.
v. 10. But Absalom, having gained the hearts of the people by the methods described above, sent spies, emissaries, through out all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron. The sound of the trumpet was to be a signal to all those who favored him to proclaim him as king over the entire nation.
v. 11. And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem that were called, members of the king's household; such as usually accompanied the royal princes, invited to the sacrificial feast; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not anything, they were in total ignorance of Absalom's intentions.
v. 12. And Absalom sent for Ahithophel, the Gilonite, David's counselor, from his city, even from Giloh, a city near Hebron, while he offered sacrifices, for he felt that the time for the open insurrection had now come. Ahithophel had probably joined Absalom's party some time before, turning traitor to David either from motives of ambition or on account of the affair with Bathsheba, who apparently was his relative. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom. His venture seemed to be very successful. Absalom is a type of a rebel who disregards the Fourth Commandment. Such people are disobedient to their parents and oppose the lawfully constituted government. Their stock in trade consists of deceits and treason, and they end by being murderers.