Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary

Adam Clarke Commentary

While I abode at Geshur in Syria - Geshur, the country of Talmai, was certainly not in Syria, but lay on the south of Canaan, in or near Edom, as is evident from Judges 1:10; 1 Samuel 27:8; 2 Samuel 13:37. Hence it is probable that ארם Aram, Syria, is a mistake for אדם Edom; ד daleth and ר resh being easily interchangeable. Edom is the reading both of the Syriac and Arabic.

I will serve the Lord - Here he pretended to be a strict follower of Jehovah, even while he was in a heathen country; and now he desires liberty to go and perform a vow at Hebron, which he pretends to have made while he was resident at Geshur. And all this was the more perfectly to organize his system of rebellion against his venerable father.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria,.... When at his grandfather's court there:

saying, if the Lord will bring me again indeed to Jerusalem; which he might be sincerely desirous of:

then I will serve the Lord; but it is a question whether he ever made a vow to this purpose, or concerned himself about serving the Lord; but it rather may be, this was a lie of his, now framed in order to get leave of the king to go to Hebron.

Geneva Study Bible

(f) By offering a peace-offering, which was lawful to do in any place.

John Trapp Complete Commentary

2 Samuel 15:8 For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the LORD shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD.

Ver. 8. Then I will serve the Lord,] viz., With gratulatory oblations and peace offerings; when in truth his design was, not to serve the Lord, but to serve himself upon the Lord, by pretending his worship to his own wicked practices, and by drawing together as guests at that feast of his - usual at such sacrifices - as many as he thought meet to join with him in his intended conspiracy.

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible

2 Samuel 15:8. Thy servant vowed a vow— This vow is conceived exactly in the patriarchal style, and, if true, shews, that however he might have been tempted by his grandfather to serve the gods of Geshur, yet he continued determined against idolatry; which David, we may assure ourselves, was highly delighted to hear, and accordingly gave a ready consent to the performance of his vow.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

i.e. Worship him by the offering of sacrifices of thanksgiving to God, for restoring me to the place of his presence and service, and to my father’s favour. But why should not this service have been performed at Zion, or at Gibeon? Here was some ground of suspicion; but God blinded David’s eyes, that he might bring upon David and upon Absalom the judgments which they deserved, and he designed.

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

Lord. The pretext seemed very bad, since he ought not to have delayed so long to perform his vow. Moreover, the usual places for sacrifice were Gabaon or Sion. But Absalom might plead a respect for the patriarchs, who were buried at Hebron. (St. Jerome, Trad.) (Menochius)

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

vowed a vow = made a solemn vow. Figure of speech Polyptoton. App-6.

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

thy servant

Genesis 28:20,21; 1 Samuel 1:11; 16:2; Psalms 56:12; Ecclesiastes 5:4

Geshur

13:37,38; 14:23,32

I will serve

Joshua 24:15; Isaiah 28:15; Jeremiah 9:3-5; 42:20