John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 8. Than the king arose, and sat in the gate , etc.] Of the city, a public place, where the inhabitants met on divers accounts at times, and where there were always people passing and repassing: and they told unto all the people ; or it was reported to the soldiers particularly: saying, behold the king doth sit in the gate ; has laid aside his mourning, appears in public, and receives his friends, and attends to business: and all the people came before the king ; to congratulate him on the victory obtained, to receive his thanks and his favours: for Israel had fled every man to his tent : or to his city, as the Targum; that is, those that followed Absalom; which is observed not on account of what goes before, but of what follows after; (see 2 Samuel 18:17).
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 ויקם6965 המלך4428 וישׁב3427 בשׁער8179 ולכל3605 העם5971 הגידו5046 לאמר559 הנה2009 המלך4428 יושׁב3427 בשׁער8179 ויבא935 כל3605 העם5971 לפני6440 המלך4428 וישׂראל3478 נס5127 אישׁ376 לאהליו׃168
