Historical chapter commentary
Verse 1. David. It alludes to some of his persecutions, particularly to that of Absalom, as well as to that of the Church, and of Jesus Christ. Bede explains it of Onias: who, being excluded from the high priesthood, retired into Egypt, and built the temple of Onion. 2 Maccabees 13. Calmet.
Verse 3. Hear me. He repeats the same petition four times, ( Bible.) to testify his fervour, and humility. Sirach 25:21.—Exercise, among the wicked, (Saint Augustine) or while I consider the sufferings of Christ. Euseb.—David was perplexed what course to take, when he first heard of his son’s revolt. Our Saviour was sorrowful unto death. Matthew 26:37. Calmet.—This life is a warfare. Worthington.—Λδολεσχια. Hebrew sichi, denotes serious ( Bible.) meditation. Genesis 24:63. Menochius.
Verse 4. Upon me. When a person has fallen into distress, the world is ever ready to attribute it it some fault. Absalom accused his father of neglecting to judge, &chapter 2 Kennicott. 15:2. The Jews calumniated and sought the death of Christ, whose agony in the garden is well described, (verse 5) as well as the consternation of David, at the sight of such a general revolt, ( Calmet.) which almost overwhelmed him. Worthington.
Verse 5. Troubled, like a woman in labour, ( Menochius.) as yachil implies, ( Calmet.) in Hiphel. Menochius.
Verse 7. Dove, which flies swiftly. He now adored the judgments of God, which chastised him, as he had threatened; (2 Kennicott. 12:11) though, while innocent, he had rejected a similar proposal. Psalms 10:1. The event shewed, that he acted wisely in retiring beyond the Jordan. Calmet.—O that I could fly, and in the simplicity of the dove, be removed from these afflictions! Worthington.—As I could not go to heaven, I retired into the wilderness. Menochius.
Verse 9. Storm. The first fury of the rebels, which is most dangerous, is thus specified. David was convinced, that his son’s party would dwindle away, when he was informed that he did not pursue him, following the advice of Chusai. Calmet.—Hebrew “I would hasten my escape from the impetuous wind and tempest.” But the Septuagint may be equally correct. Bert.—God protected his weak servant in the greatest dangers. Worthington.
Verse 10. Cast down. Hebrew “swallow up,” as the earth did Dathan. Calmet.—Septuagint “drown.” Bible.—Tongues, as at Babel, that they may not know how to proceed. Calmet.—Hebrew “swallow up … the torrent of their tongue.” Bate.—Pallag, means also to “divide.” Absalom was accordingly infatuated by David’s friend. 2 Kennicott. 15:31 and 17:7. Menochius.—City of Hebron, or even of Jerusalem, which caused the king to leave no garrison in it. The city was still more abandoned in our Saviour’s regard. Calmet.—Contradiction. Their counsels agree not. They have their troubles, yet will not amend; but strive to oppress the poor. Worthington.
Verse 13. From him. But how shall we guard against a traitor? Calmet.—The injury received from a friend is most cutting. Worthington.
Verse 14. Guide, the prime minister, (Bert.) and chief of the council. Menochius.—Such was Achitophel, who had nevertheless been long ( Calmet.) secretly disaffected. See 2 Kennicott. 15:12 and 16:23. He professed the same religion, and was trusted with the most important affairs, as Judas carried the purse. Bible.
Verse 15. Consent, or with expedition, as the Rabbins order people to go to the temple, though they must return slowly. All this designates Judas. Calmet.—Dreadful lesson for all sacred ministers, who prove faithless! (Bert.) participating of the holy sacraments of the Catholic Church, ( Worthington.) and yet betraying themselves, and their master! Achitophel had probably to attend David in the temple, as Naaman did Benadad. 4 Kennicott. 5:18. Bible.
Verse 16. Let death, and so forth This, and such like imprecations, which occur in the psalms, are delivered prophetically; that is, by way of foretelling the punishments which shall fall upon the wicked from divine justice, and approving the righteous ways of God: but not by way of ill-will, or uncharitable curses, which the law of God disallows. Challoner.—David shewed even too much tenderness towards the rebels, in the opinion of Joab, and so forth He would not hurt Saul. His predictions were verified; as Achitophel became a suicide, Absalom perished miserably, suspended between heaven and earth, as an object of horror to both, while many of his accomplices were either slain, or fell into precipices. 2 Kennicott. 17:23 and 18:8. Bible.—Hell, by a sudden death, like Antiochus, Core, and so forth Numbers 16:30. They just are already dead to this world. Bert.—Those who sin on purpose, descend, as it were, alive into hell. Worthington.
Verse 18. Evening. The Hebrew then began the day. Calmet. Genesis 1:5. Bible.—They had three times allotted for prayer, (Daniel 6:10) as the Church had afterwards. Const. Ap. vii. 25. Calmet.—Evening song, matins, and the sacrifice of the mass, are the principal times for divine service. Worthington.—David comprises all times, because his prayer was continual. Bert. Calmet.
Verse 19. Among many, and so forth That is, they that drew near to attack me, were many in company, all combining to fight against me. Challoner.—Or, many also joined themselves to me with Joab, and the holy angels, (4 Kennicott. 6:16) though almost all Israel followed Absalom. 2 Kennicott. 15:13. Calmet.—In many things, schismatics agree with the Church; but their crime is the breaking of unity. Saint Augustine
Verse 20. Change, or redemption for them, (Psalms 43:13. Euseb.) or they will not amend, ( Worthington.) nor cease to blaspheme God, and to calumniate me. Calmet.—Eternal. Lit. “He who is before ages.” Bible.
Verse 21. Repay. Hebrew bishlomaiv, “in his tribulations,” or “against his peaceable ones.” Houbigant too arbitrarily translates, “they have sent forth their hand against, “and so forth Bert.
Verse 22. They are divided, and so forth Dispersed, scattered, and brought to nothing, by the wrath of God, who looks with indignation on their wicked and deceitful ways. Challoner.—They are separated from the good, (Saint Jerome) slain by a look. 2 Thessalonians 2:8.—Near, or fought, verse 19. Calmet.—Some translate, “they have divided the butter, like words of his mouth.” But this is less accurate, and the same idea is conveyed in the next words. Bert.—Prot. “The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart. His words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.” Bible.—My enemy has violated every law, under his appearance of friendship. Calmet.—Darts. Absalom kissed the men of Israel to delude them, (2 Kennicott. 15:2) and the traitor gave this sign to those who came to seize our Saviour. Matthew 26:48. Calmet.—The words of God are most excellent in themselves, but they seem hard to the incredulous. Thus the Capharnaites gave rise to the first heresy against the words of Christ, which Saint Peter piously believed, though, as yet, he did not comprehend their meaning. John 6. Saint Augustine Worthington.—His heart and words may thus be understood of God: but they more probably relate to any one of David’s numerous enemies, who is thus singled out. Bible.
Verse 23. Cast. The prophet had experienced the happy effect of this conduct. Calmet.—In all troubles and doubts, we must have recourse to God. Worthington. 1 Peter 5:7.
Verse 24. Destruction; “into gehenna,” (Chal.) or “hell,” (Saint Jerome) to which the judge sentences the reprobate, without promoting their crimes. Saint Augustine Calmet.—Days. It is rare that murderers and notorious malefactors escape punishment in this world; but in the next, they will surely be requited. Absalom perished in the flower of his age. Bert.—Achitophel, and may others, have been suddenly cut off. God sometimes permits such to reign for a time, to exercise his servants, or that they may repent. Saint Augustine—The Scripture often threatens sinners in this manner. Job 21:21. Isaiah 65:20. Calmet.—Their days are indeed spent, when they die. But if they had altered their conduct, they might have prolonged their life, ( Bible.) according to the usual course of nature. Worthington. Menochius.