15  Absalom steals the hearts of the people, Sa2 15:1-6.
He conspires against David, Sa2 15:7-12.
David flies from Jerusalem, Sa2 15:13-18.
He confers with Ittai, and passes over Kidron, Sa2 15:19-23.
Sends back Zadok with the ark, Sa2 15:24-29.
His prayer on this occasion, Sa2 15:30-31.
He concerts with Hushai, Sa2 15:32-37.

15:14 Let us flee - For though the fort of Zion was strong, and he might have defended himself there; yet he had not laid in provisions for a long siege; and, if he had been once besieged there, Absalom would have got speedy possession of his whole kingdom; whereas if he marched abroad, he might raise a considerable army for his defence. Besides, the greatest part of Jerusalem could not be well defended against him.

16  David is deceived by Ziba, Sa2 16:1-4.
And cursed by Shemei, Sa2 16:5-14.
Absalom receives Hushai, Sa2 16:15-19.
Lies with his father's concubines, Sa2 16:20-23.

16:8 Of Saul - Either,

1. The blood of Abner and Ishbosheth; which he imputes to David, as if they had been killed by David's contrivance: or,
2. the death of Saul's seven sons, chap.Sa2 21:8, which, though related after this, seems to have been done before.

16:10 What have I, etc - In this matter I ask not your advice, nor will I follow it; nor do I desire you should at all concern yourselves in it.The Lord - God did not put any wickedness into Shimei's heart, for he had of himself an heart full of malignity against David; but only left him to his own wickedness; and brought David into so distressed a condition, that he might seem a proper object of his scorn. And this is ground enough for this expression, the Lord said, not by the word of his precept, but by the word of his providence, in respect whereof he is said to command the ravens, Ki1 17:4, and to send forth his word to senseless creatures, Psa 147:15, Psa 147:18. Who shall reproach God's providence for permitting this? Or, who shall restrain him from executing his just judgment against me?

16:11 My life - Which is a greater mischief, than to reproach me with words. Benjamites - Of that tribe and family from which God hast taken away the kingdom, and given it to me. Let him - Do not now hinder him violently from it, nor punish him for it. It is meet I should bear the indignation of the Lord, and submit to his pleasure.

5 

5:1  Mat 8:28; Luk 8:26.

5:2 There met him a man with an unclean spirit - St. Matthew mentions two. Probably this, so particularly spoken of here, was the most remarkably fierce and ungovernable.

5:9 My name is Legion! for we are many - But all these seem to have been under one commander, who accordingly speaks all along, both for them and himself.

5:15 And they were afraid - It is not improbable they might otherwise have offered some rudeness, if not violence.

5:18  Mat 9:1; Luk 8:37;

5:19 Tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee - This was peculiarly needful there, where Christ did not go in person.

5:20 He published in Decapolis - Not only at home, but in all that country where Jesus himself did not come.