Teks -- 2 Samuel 15:2 (NET)

15:2 Now Absalom used to get up early and stand beside the road that led to the city gate. Whenever anyone came by who had a complaint to bring to the king for arbitration, Absalom would call out to him, “What city are you from?” The person would answer, “I, your servant, am from one of the tribes of Israel.”

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per frasa)

Wesley: 2Sa 15:2 - Early

Thereby making a shew of solicitude for the good of the public, and of every private person.

Wesley: 2Sa 15:2 - Called him

Preventing him with the offers of his assistance. And as if he were ready to make particular enquiry into the state of his cause.

JFB: 2Sa 15:2-6 - Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate

Public business in the East is always transacted early in the morning--the kings sitting an hour or more to hear causes or receive petitions, in a court held anciently, and in many places still, in the open air at the city gateway; so that, as those whose circumstances led them to wait on King David required to be in attendance on his morning levees, Absalom had to rise up early and stand beside the way of the gate. Through the growing infirmities of age, or the occupation of his government with foreign wars, many private causes had long lain undecided, and a deep feeling of discontent prevailed among the people. This dissatisfaction was artfully fomented by Absalom, who addressed himself to the various suitors; and after briefly hearing their tale, he gratified everyone with a favorable opinion of his case. Studiously concealing his ambitious designs, he expressed a wish to be invested with official power, only that he might accelerate the course of justice and advance the public interests. His professions had an air of extraordinary generosity and disinterestedness, which, together with his fawning arts in lavishing civilities on all, made him a popular favorite. Thus, by forcing a contrast between his own display of public spirit and the dilatory proceedings of the court, he created a growing disgust with his father's government, as weak, careless, or corrupt, and seduced the affections of the multitude, who neither penetrated the motive nor foresaw the tendency of his conduct.

TSK: 2Sa 15:2 - rose up // came

rose up : Job 24:14; Pro 4:16; Mat 27:1

came : Heb. to come, Exo 18:14, Exo 18:16, Exo 18:26; 1Ki 3:16-28

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per Ayat)

Poole: 2Sa 15:2 - Rose up early // Beside the way of the gate // Absalom called unto him // Of what city art thou? // Of one of the tribes of Israel

Rose up early thereby making a show of self-denial, and diligence, and solicitude for the good of the public, and of every private person, as he had opportunity.

Beside the way of the gate either, first, Of the king’ s palace. Or rather, secondly, Of the city; for that was the place of judicature or judgment, for which these men came.

Absalom called unto him preventing him with the offers of his assistance.

Of what city art thou? as if he were ready to make particular inquiry into the state of his cause.

Of one of the tribes of Israel or rather, of one city (which word is easily understood out of the foregoing question) of the tribes of Israel , i.e. of an Israelitish city, either this or that; of such or such a city.

Haydock: 2Sa 15:2 - Israel

Israel. Absalom rises early for wickedness. He assumes the character of a more zealous and disinterested judge, as if to contrast his conduct with the remissness of some appointed by the king; though the Holy Ghost bears witness to the integrity of David, chap. viii. 15. Who would not be deceived by such appearances, if the arts of hypocrites had not taught us to examine things to the bottom, and to be upon our guard? If thy eye be evil, thy whole body will be darksome. [Matthew vi. 23.] The intention decides all. (Haydock)

Gill: 2Sa 15:2 - And Absalom rose up early // and stood beside the way of the gate // and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment // then Absalom called unto him, and said, of what city art thou // and he said, thy servant is of one of the tribes

And Absalom rose up early,.... Every morning, to show how diligent and industrious he should be, and closely apply himself to business, was he in any office trader the king, and especially when he should be king himself; this he did to ingratiate himself into the affections of the people:

and stood beside the way of the gate; either of the king's palace, so Josephus ^d, or of the city, where courts of judicature are held: the former seems most probable by what follows:

and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment; that had a controversy with another man on any account, and came to the king to have it decided according to law, or the rules of justice and equity:

then Absalom called unto him, and said, of what city art thou? which question he asked, only to lead on to some further discourse:

and he said, thy servant is of one of the tribes; that is, of one of the cities of the tribes of Israel, and not of a city of another nation.