And the king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, [Deal] gently for my sake with the young man, [even] with Absalom. And all the people heard when the king gave all the captains charge concerning Absalom.
Ver. 5. Deal gently for my sake.] Heb., Leniter propter me, sc., agite. Though he hath deserved no favour, yet do something for me, who cannot grow out of kind, though he doth, who cannot choose but love him after all the unkindness, and am much afraid lest he should die in his sins. This is said to be the best line in all Terence,
“ Pro peccato magno paulum supplicii satis est patri. ”
A little punishment for a great offence seemeth to a father to be enough. It doth so surely to our heavenly Father. Laudent alii pietatem Dei, ego misericordiam. a
And all the people heard.] But no man ever heard David threaten, that if they slew Absalom, he would slay himself, as Josephus falsely saith that he did.
a August.