And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.
Prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him, х raatsiym (H7323)] - running footmen. Persons of quality, who ride on horseback, and still more those who are conveyed in splendid vehicles, are preceded by one servant, or by several, who run before their masters, carrying a stick or baton, which they constantly wave about them, and strike right and left to clear the way, especially in the streets of Oriental cities, which are always narrow and crowded. These avant-couriers are called sais in Egypt. They are accustomed to run, and can keep on at a rapid pace with the equipage which they precede, for many miles without stoppage, their feet covered with dust, and frequently bleeding from wounds. In ancient times fifty of these runners formed the usual attendance upon royalty (see the notes at 1 Kings 1:5; 18:48). Absalom's engagement of this number of attendants was assuming the state and equipage of a prince. The chariot, since the Hebrew х merkaabaah (H4818)] indicates, was of a magnificent style; it is the word commonly applied to vehicles used by persons of rank and dignity (Genesis 41:43; Genesis 46:29; 1 Samuel 8:11); and the horses, a novelty among the Hebrew people, only introduced in that age as an appendage of royalty (Psalms 32:9; Psalms 66:12), formed a splendid retinue, which would make him 'the observed of all observers.'