David’s Grief for Absalom (II Samuel 18:24-19:8)

The sacred writer now takes us again to Mahanaim across the Jordan, the sight of David's encampment. The city had an outer and inner gate with a roof sup­porting an upper chamber. On the roof was a watch­man on the outlook for messengers. For the day was well spent, so that reports on the battle could be com­ing in at any time now. David was seated in the space between the two gates below. Here he may have been sitting all the day long waiting for this hour. For it was the same place in which...