And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was [so], that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city [art] thou? And he said, Thy servant [is] of one of the tribes of Israel.
Ver. 2. And Absalom rose up early.] As ambition is restless, and like the crocodile, groweth as long as it liveth. Hereby, also, he would make the people believe that he was very solicitous of their good, since up so early for the purpose.
That when any man that had a controversy.] So he showeth himself, as Jerome a calleth Crates, Gloriae animal, popularis aurae vile mancipium, basely popular.
a Epist. ad Julian. Consolator.