2Sa 18:1
18:1 And David {a} numbered the people that [were] with him, and
     set captains of thousands and captains of hundreds over
     them.

     (a) For certain of the Reubenites, Gadites, and of the half
         tribe could not bear the insolence of the son against
         the father, and therefore joined with David.

2Sa 18:3
18:3 But the people answered, Thou shalt not go forth: for if we
     flee away, they will not care for us; neither if half of us
     die, will they care for us: but {b} now [thou art] worth
     ten thousand of us: therefore now [it is] better that thou
     succour us out of the city.

     (b) Signifying that a good governor is so dear to his
         people that they would rather lose their lives than
         have anything happen to him.

2Sa 18:6
18:6 So the people went out into the field against Israel: and
     the battle was in the {c} wood of Ephraim;

     (c) So called, because the Ephraimites (as some say) fed
         their cattle beyond Jordan in this wood.

2Sa 18:16
18:16 And Joab {d} blew the trumpet, and the people returned
      from pursuing after Israel: for Joab held back the people.

      (d) For he had pity on the people, who were seduced by
          Absalom's flattery.

2Sa 18:17
18:17 And they took Absalom, and cast him into a great {e} pit
      in the wood, and laid a very great heap of stones upon
      him: and all Israel fled every one to his tent.

      (e) Thus God turned his vain glory to shame.

2Sa 18:18
18:18 Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and reared up for
      himself a pillar, which [is] in the king's dale: for he
      said, I have no {f} son to keep my name in remembrance:
      and he called the pillar after his own name: and it is
      called unto this day, Absalom's place.

      (f) It seemed that God had punished him by taking away his
          children, 2Sa 14:27.

2Sa 18:20
18:20 And Joab said unto him, Thou {g} shalt not bear tidings
      this day, but thou shalt bear tidings another day: but
      this day thou shalt bear no tidings, because the king's
      son is dead.

      (g) For Joab bore a good affection to Ahimaaz and doubted
          how David would take the report of Absalom's death.

2Sa 18:24
18:24 And David sat between the two {h} gates: and the watchman
      went up to the roof over the gate unto the wall, and
      lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold a man running
      alone.

      (h) He sat in the gate of the city of Mahanaim.

2Sa 18:27
18:27 And the watchman said, Me thinketh the running of the
      foremost is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok.
      And the king said, He [is] a {i} good man, and cometh with
      good tidings.

      (i) He had experienced his fidelity, 2Sa 17:21.

2Sa 18:29
18:29 And the king said, Is the young man Absalom safe? And
      Ahimaaz answered, When Joab sent the king's {k} servant,
      and [me] thy servant, I saw a great tumult, but I knew not
      what [it was].

      (k) That is, Cushi, who was an Ethiopian.

2Sa 18:33
18:33 And the king was much {l} moved, and went up to the
      chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he
      said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God
      I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!

      (l) Because he considers both the judgment of God against
          his sin, and could not otherwise hide his fatherly
          affection for his son.