John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 6. In that thou lovest thine enemies, and hatest thy friends , etc.] Which though not strictly true, there was some appearance of it, which is here greatly exaggerated; in that he expressed so much grief and sorrow for Absalom his enemy, who had rebelled against him, and showed so little regard to his friends, that had exposed their lives for him: for thou hast declared this day : by his conduct and behaviour, mourning for his rebellious son, and taking no notice of his faithful servants: that thou regardest neither princes nor servants ; neither the officers of the army, the generals and captains, nor the common soldiers: since neither the one were admitted into his presence privately, nor had the other public thanks as they entered the city, as might have been expected: or “that thou hast no princes and servants” f327 ; none that are accounted of as such; they are nothing with thee, in no esteem at all, as if thou hadst none: for this day I perceive that if Absalom had lived, and all we had died this day, then it had pleased thee well ; this was carrying the matter too far; for though it would have been agreeable to David if Absalom had lived, and not been slain, yet not that his army should perish, or his people be destroyed; it would have pleased him well if both had lived.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-8 - To continue to lament for so bad a son as Absalom, was very unwise, an very unworthy. Joab censures David, but not with proper respect an deference to his sovereign. A plain case may be fairly pleaded with those above us, and they may be reproved for what they do amiss, but it must not be with rudeness and insolence. Yet David took the reproof an the counsel, prudently and mildly. Timely giving way, usually prevent the ill effects of mistaken measures.
Original Hebrew לאהבה157 את853 שׂנאיך8130 ולשׂנא8130 את853 אהביך157 כי3588 הגדת5046 היום3117 כי3588 אין369 לך שׂרים8269 ועבדים5650 כי3588 ידעתי3045 היום3117 כי3588 לא3863 אבשׁלום53 חי2416 וכלנו3605 היום3117 מתים4191 כי3588 אז227 ישׁר3477 בעיניך׃5869
