Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary

Adam Clarke Commentary

Went two hundred men - These were probably soldiers, whom he supposed would be of considerable consequence to him. They had been seduced by his specious conduct, but knew nothing of his present design.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were called,.... Invited by him to go with him and partake of his peace offerings, as the payment of his vow in Hebron; part of which was made a feast of for his friends, whomsoever he should think fit to invite, as he did to the number of two hundred, and for the entertainment of whom a large provision ought to be made; the Jews^F8Bemidbar Rabba, sect. 9. fol. 194. 4. have a tradition, that he had leave of his father only to invite two to go with him, and that he asked two more unknown to the first, and so on, two after two, until they amounted to two hundred:

and they went in their simplicity; to partake of the feast of the peace offerings, to which they were invited; being quite harmless and upright in their intentions, having no thought of disloyalty and rebellion in their breasts:

and they knew not anything; of an intended conspiracy; howbeit, doubtless many of them were drawn into it when got thither; and as these may be supposed to be some of the principal men of Jerusalem, it was a great weakening of David's interest, and laid a considerable foundation for Absalom to begin upon.

Geneva Study Bible

(g) And bid to his feast in Hebron.

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

with Absalom went two hundred men … that were called — From their quality, reputation, and high standing, such as would create the impression that the king patronized the movement and, being aged and infirm, was willing to adopt his oldest and noblest son to divide with him the cares and honors of government.

Wesley's Explanatory Notes

And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing.

Called — Such as Absalom had picked out as fit for his purpose; such as were of some reputation with the king and people, which would give a countenance to his undertaking, and give occasion to people at first to think that this was done by his father's consent, as being now aged, and infirm, and willing to resign the kingdom to him. It is no new thing, for good men to be made use of by designing men to put a colour upon ill practices.

John Trapp Complete Commentary

2 Samuel 15:11 And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, [that were] called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing.

Ver. 11. And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem.] These were, doubtless, the principal men of the city; and this was likewise done by the policy of Ahithophel, (1.) That the plot might be the better concealed, since such confiding men were invited; (2.) That other cities, thinking that Jerusalem was for Absalom, might the sooner be drawn to follow him also.

And they went in their simplicity.] So did many of our forefathers after Antichrist, by whom, being kept in gross ignorance, they had the happiness not to know those depths of Satan, that is, the chief and most pernicious corruptions of Popery, God’s providence so disposing, Ut sub Antichristi sacerdotibus Christi populus non accideret, as Hillary hath it, that the people of Christ should not perish under the priests of Antichrist.

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible

2 Samuel 15:11. With Absalom went two hundred men— But there followed Absalom two hundred men, who, called from Jerusalem, went after him with a simple heart, and who were entirely ignorant of the whole affair. Houbigant.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

That were called; such as Absalom had picked out as fit for his purpose; such as were of some quality and reputation with the king and people, which would give a great countenance to his undertaking, and give occasion to people at first to think that this was done by his father’s consent or connivance, as being now aged, and infirm, and willing to resign the kingdom to him, as his eldest son, and the noblest too, as being descended from a king by both parents; and such as by their wisdom and interest in the people might have done David much service in this needful time; yet such as were not very martial men, nor likely with violence to oppose his proceedings. They knew not any thing concerning Absalom’s design.

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

11.Two hundred men’ called — Persons who had been personally and privately invited or “bidden” to attend the sacrificial festival which he proposed to make at Hebron. Compare marginal references.

In their simplicity — In complete innocence, not knowing the designs of Absalom. This helped to hide from the inhabitants of Jerusalem the conspiracy of the prince.

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments

2 Samuel 15:11. With Absalom went two hundred men that were called — That is, that were invited by him to feast with him on his sacrifice, and were such as he had picked out as fit for his purpose; principal persons of the city, no doubt, and of some reputation with the king and people. These he took with him that they might give a countenance to his undertaking, and cause the people at first to think that he was acting in all this by his father’s consent and approbation, as being now aged and infirm, and willing to resign the kingdom to his son. They went in their simplicity, and knew not anything — Of his design, but only went to attend him, and pay him respect as the king’s son, who did them the honour to invite them to a holy feast. It is no new thing for good men to be made use of by designing men, to put a colour on ill practices.

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

Design. Their hearts had been stolen, ver. 6. They only meant to do honour to the prince, but by no means to join in his rebellion, like the rest. (Calmet)

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Unabridged

And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing.

Two hundred men ... that were called - from their quality, reputation, and high standing, such as would create an impression that the king patronized the movement, and, being aged and infirm, was willing to adopt his oldest and noblest son to divide with him the cares and honours of government.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(11) Went in their simplicity.—The two hundred guests whom Absalom had invited to take part with him in his sacrifices, were doubtless prominent and influential citizens of Jerusalem. That they were entirely ignorant of Absalom’s purposes shows the extreme secrecy with which the affair was managed. Absalom, no doubt, hoped when he once had them at Hebron, to secure them for his side, or, failing this, forcibly to prevent their opposition. In any case it would appear to the people that they were with him, and he would thus secure additional prestige.

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

called

1 Samuel 9:13; 16:3-5

their simplicity

Genesis 20:5; 1 Samuel 22:15; Proverbs 14:15; 22:3; Matthew 10:16; Romans 16:18,19