2 Samuel 15:7 - Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

After forty years. Quest. Whence are these to be computed? Answ. Not from Absalom's birth; for he was born in Hebron some considerable time after David had begun his reign, 2 Samuel 3:3, much less from the time of his vow made, or of his return from banishment; but either, first, From the time of David's election or designation to the kingdom. 1 Samuel 16:13. Or, secondly, From the beginning of Saul's reign; which being a solemn time, and observable for the change of the government in Israel, might very fitly be made an epochs, from which the computation or account of times begin; as the Greeks and Romans began their accounts in the same manner, and upon the same ground. Or rather, thirdly, From the beginning of David's reign, who reigned forty years; and so the words may be rendered, about or towards the end of forty years, i. e. in the beginning of the fortieth year. And so this very phrase is used Deuteronomy 15:1, At the end of every seven years, i.e. in the seventh year, even from the beginning of it, as is manifested and confessed. So in a like expression, After three days will I rise again, Mark 8:31, i.e. on the beginning of the third day, when Christ did rise; the number of three days being then completed when the third day is begun. And the forty years are here expressed as one motive or inducement to Absalom to rebel, because now his father's end grew near; and one of the Hebrew doctors affirms, that there was a tradition, or rumour, or prediction, that David should reign but forty years. And Absalom might easily understand that David intended to decline him, and to make Solomon his successor, as well by the conscience of his own wickedness and unfitness for so great a trust, as by that eminent wisdom and piety which appeared in Solomon in his tender years, and that great respect and affection which his father must needs have and manifest to him upon this account, and by that promise and oath given to Bathsheba concerning his succession mentioned 1 Kings 1:30, but made before that time, which also might come to Absalom's ear. Against this opinion two things are objected: first, That David was in the time of this rebellion a strong man, for he marched on foot, 2 Samuel 15:30, whereas in his last year he was very infirm and bedrid. Secondly, That after this rebellion was ended divers other things happened, as the three years famine, 2 Samuel 21:1, and other things following in the history. But it may be answered to the first, that David might in the beginning of his last year have so much strength and vigour left as to march on foot, especially when he did so humble and afflict himself, as it is apparent he did, 2 Samuel 15:30; and yet through his tedious marches, and the tormenting cares, fears, and griefs of his soul for Absalom, might be so strangely and suddenly impaired, as in the end of the same year to be very feeble and bedrid, it being a very common accident, especially in old men, and upon extraordinary occasions, to languish and decline exceedingly, and to fall from some competent degree of health and rigour, to be very infirm and bedrid, and that in the space of a few months. And to the second objection, That those histories related 2Sa 21, &c., though they be placed after this rebellion, yet indeed were done before it; the proof of which see on 2 Samuel 21:1. For it is so confessed and evident, that things are not always placed in the same order in which they were done, that it is a rule of the Hebrews, and approved by other learned men, Non datur pri us et posterius in Saetia literis; that is, There is no first and last in the order of Scripture relations. And here is a plain reason for this transplacing of this history, which is allowed in other like cases, that when once the history of Tamar's rape had been mentioned, it was very fit to subjoin the relation of all the mischiefs which followed upon that occasion. If any infidel will yet cavil with this text and number of years, let him know, that instead of forty, the Syriac, and Arabic, and Josephus the Jew read four years; and that it is much more rational to acknowledge an error of the scribe, who copied out the sacred text, than upon so frivolous a ground to question the Divine authority of the Holy Scriptures. And that some men choose the latter way rather than the former, is an evidence that they are infidels by the choice of their wills, more than by the strength of their reasons. Let me go and pay my vow: he pretends piety, which he knew would please his father, and easily procure his consent. Hebron is mentioned as the place, not where the vow was made, for that was at Geshur, 2 Samuel 15:8, but where he intended to perform it. The pretence for which was, that he was born in this place, 2 Samuel 3:3, and that here was a famous high place; and, till the temple was built, it was permitted to sacrifice upon the high places.