Charles Ellicott Commentary 2 Samuel 19:10

"And Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. Now therefore why speak ye not a word of bringing the king back?" — 2 Samuel 19:10 (ASV)

We anointed over us. —There is no other mention of the anointing of Absalom, and it certainly would not have been performed by the high priests. It may have been done by some prophet, or this may be a mere form of expression taken from the custom of anointing, and only mean “whom we appointed over us.”

Why speak ye not? —There was evidently a hesitation and delay, arising probably from a mere lack of organization, but yet of dangerous tendency. It is under these circumstances that David shows that politic power which had so often before stood him in good stead. The Septuagint very unnecessarily places at the end of this verse the clause which is found at the end of 2 Samuel 19:11.