John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 9. Behold, he is hid now in some pit, or in some [other] place , etc.] Some lurking place, as he was acquainted with many when he fled from Saul, and where he preserved himself from him; so that he could never take him, as he would now from Absalom, as he insinuates: but this is not all; not only by this means he would shelter himself, and be in safety; but lying thus concealed with others, and in ambush, there would be danger of his staring out of his hiding place when opportunity should offer, and falling on some of Absalom’s troops unawares: and it will come to pass, when some of them be overthrown at the first ; that is, some of Absalom’s party, on whom David and his men coming out of an ambush should fall, and make a slaughter among them first, before they could do anything of consequence; and so having got the first advantage, it would serve to animate them, and dishearten their enemies: that whosoever heareth it ; at that time, or the next day: will say, there is a slaughter among the people that follow Absalom ; there has been a defeat of them, and that may cause a defection.
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 הנה2009 עתה6258 הוא1931 נחבא2244 באחת259 הפחתים6354 או176 באחד259 המקומת4725 והיה1961 כנפל5307 בהם בתחלה8462 ושׁמע8085 השׁמע8085 ואמר559 היתה1961 מגפה4046 בעם5971 אשׁר834 אחרי310 אבשׁלם׃53
