Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 8. As a bear robbed of her whelps] All wild beasts are very furious when robbed of their young; but we have some remarkable instances of the maternal affection of the bear in such circumstances; see one at the end of the chapter.
John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 8. For (said Hushai) thou knowest thy father and his men, that they [be] mighty men , etc.] Men of courage and valour, and not such weakhanded and weak-hearted men, and so easily intimidated, as Ahithophel suggests: and they [be] chafed in their minds ; or “bitter in soul” f280 ; not merely filled with trouble and anguish, and depressed in their spirits, on account of that, as the phrase sometimes signifies; but enraged and full of wrath at the rebellion raised against their prince, which obliged them with him to leave their habitations; and now being desperate, their all lying at stake, their wives
and children, their families and estates, they would fight furiously in the defence of the king and themselves, and not so soon flee as Ahithophel had represented: as a bear robbed of her whelps in the field ; a bear is a very furious creature, especially a she bear, and the more when it has whelps, and more so when deprived of them f281 , when it ranges about in the field, and in its fury attacks whomsoever it meets with; (see Gill on “ Hosea 13:8”); and thy father [is] a man of war ; not only bold and courageous, but expert and skilful in all the arts of war and not easy to be surprised and circumvented, as Ahithophel intimated: and will not lodge with the people ; in the camp, but at some distance from it; partly to prevent any traitorous design upon him in it, and partly that he might not be surprised by the enemy, knowing that their chief view was to seize his person; and therefore as it would not be easy to find him where he was, he could not be smitten alone, as Ahithophel proposed.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-21 - Here was a wonderful effect of Divine Providence blinding Absalom' mind and influencing his heart, that he could not rest in Ahithophel' counsel, and that he should desire Hushai's advice. But there is n contending with that God who can arm a man against himself, and destro him by his own mistakes and passions. Ahithophel's former counsel wa followed, for God intended to correct David; but his latter counsel wa not followed, for God meant not to destroy him. He can overrule all counsels. Whatever wisdom or help any man employs or affords, the success is from God alone, who will not let his people perish.
Original Hebrew ויאמר559 חושׁי2365 אתה859 ידעת3045 את853 אביך1 ואת853 אנשׁיו376 כי3588 גברים1368 המה1992 ומרי4751 נפשׁ5315 המה1992 כדב1677 שׁכול7909 בשׂדה7704 ואביך1 אישׁ376 מלחמה4421 ולא3808 ילין3885 את854 העם׃5971
