2 Samuel 15:30

“And David went up by the ascent of [Mount] Olivet, etc.] So called from the olive trees that grew upon it, which is often mentioned in the New Testament, and where our Lord Jesus Christ, the antitype of David, often was, in his state of humiliation, (<402630>Matthew 26:30 <411426>Mark 14:26) (<422239>Luke 22:39), and from whence he ascended to heaven after his resurrection, (<440112>Acts 1:12); it was about a mile from Jerusalem, to the east of it: and wept as he went up; thinking perhaps of the wickedness and rebellion of his son, of his own hard case, to be obliged to quit his metropolis and palace, and make his flight afoot; and perhaps also of his own sins, which were the cause of his…”

“David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet--The same pathway over that mount has been followed ever since that memorable day. had his head covered--with a mourning wrapper. The humility and resignation of David marked strongly his sanctified spirit, induced by contrition for his transgressions. He had fallen, but it was the fall of the upright; and he rose again, submitting himself meekly in the meantime to the will of God [CHALMERS].”

“His head covered - See the marginal references and Jeremiah 14:3-4; Ezekiel 24:17; the sign of deep mourning. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Barefoot - In testimony of his deep sorrow, and humiliation and shame for his sins. 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 15:34”

“the ascent: Zac 14:4; Luk 19:29, Luk 19:37, Luk 21:37, Luk 22:39; Act 1:12 mount Olivet: Mount Olivet, so called from its abounding with olive trees, is situated east of Jerusalem, being separated from it only by the valley of Jehoshaphat and the brook Kidron. Josephus says it is five stadia, i.e., 625 geometrical paces from Jerusalem; and St. Luke ( Act 1:12) says it is a Sabbath day's journey, or about eight stadia distant, i.e., to the summit. It forms part of a ridge of limestone hills, extending from north to south for about a mile; and it is described as having three, or, according to others, four summits; the central and highest of which overlooks the whole of the city, over whose…”

“Ahithophel and Hushai. - Sa2 15:30, Sa2 15:31. When David was going by the height of the olive-trees, i.e., the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went, with his head covered, and barefooted, as a sign of grief and mourning (see Est 6:12; Eze 24:17), and with the people who accompanied him also mourning, he received intelligence that Ahithophel (see at Sa2 15:12) was with Absalom, and among the conspirators. הגּיד ודוד gives no sense; for David cannot be the subject, because the next clause, "and David said," etc., contains most distinctly an expression of David's on receiving some information. Thenius would therefore alter הגּיד into the Hophal הגּד, whilst Ewald (131, a) would change it into…”