151 As time went on, Absalom took to riding in a horse-drawn chariot, with fifty men running in front of him. 2 Early each morning he would take up his post beside the road at the city gate. When anyone showed up with a case to bring to the king for a decision, Absalom would call him over and say, "Where do you hail from?" And the answer would come, "Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel." 3 Then Absalom would say, "Look, you've got a strong case; but the king isn't going to listen to you." 4 Then he'd say, "Why doesn't someone make me a judge for this country? Anybody with a case could bring it to me and I'd settle things fair and square." 5 Whenever someone would treat him with special honor, he'd shrug it off and treat him like an equal, making him feel important. 6 Absalom did this to everyone who came to do business with the king and stole the hearts of everyone in Israel.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Samuel 15:1-6
Commentary on 2 Samuel 15:1-6
(Read 2 Samuel 15:1-6)
David allows Absalom's pomp. Those parents know not what they do, who indulge a proud humour in their children: many young people are ruined by pride. And those commonly are most eager for authority who least understand its duties.