[311] Absalom's rebellion cannot have taken place till the latter years of David. Absalom was born in Hebron, and therefore, at the least, after David's thirtieth year, 2 Sam. v. 4. He must at the least have been towards 20 years old when he caused Amnon to be murdered. Five years passed before David would allow him to enter his presence, 2 Sam. xiii. 38, and xiv. 28. Lastly, his efforts to gain popularity, and the preparations for rebellion, must have occupied two years. If it is stated in 2 Sam. xv. 7 that after Absalom's return from Geshur 40 years elapsed till his rebellion, Absalom must have been 63 years old at the time of his rebellion, and David at the least 93 years old. Hence in the passage quoted four years must be read instead of 40. [312] 2 Sam. xv. 1-6; xvii. 25; 1 Chron. ii. 17. [313] 2 Sam. xv. 5-14. [314] 2 Sam. xvii. 27. [315] 2 Sam. xix. 11-13. [316] 2 Sam. xix. 18-33; 1 Kings ii. 8. [317] 2 Sam. xvi. 3-5; xix. 24-30. [318] 2 Sam. xix. 40. [319] 2 Sam. xx. 8-13; 1 Kings ii. 5. [320] 2 Sam. xx. 15-22. [321] 2 Sam. xii. 15-24; 1 Chron. xxii. 9. [322] 1 Kings i. 17, 20. [323] 1 Kings ii. 15, 22. [324] 1 Kings ii. 5-9. [325] 1 Kings ii. 5-9. The verses 2 Sam. xxiii. 1-7 may have been a speech of David's at some former time, if they are not an addition of the prophet's. Contrasted with the very definite and realistic colouring of the passage quoted from the Book of Kings, they can hardly be considered the last words. CHAPTER VIII. KING SOLOMON.