2 Samuel
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2 Samuel 15
2 Samuel 15
1And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him a chariot and horses, and fifty men to run before him.
1And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.
Commentary · verse 1
2And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that, when any man had a suit which should come to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel.
3And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee.
4Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man who hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice!
2And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel.
3And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee.
4Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice!
Commentary · verses 2-4
Absalom started judging the people at the gate. Absalom was trying to reach the people before they could get to David. Absalom had set himself up as a leader here.
5And it was so, that, when any man came nigh to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took hold of him, and kissed him.
6And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
5And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him.
6And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
Commentary · verses 5-6
Absalom put himself in the path between the people and their king, stealing their hearts.
7And it came to pass at the end of forty years, that Absalom said unto the king, I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto Jehovah, in Hebron.
7And it came to pass after forty years, that Absalom said unto the king, I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto the LORD, in Hebron.
Commentary · verse 7
Several sources stated: "...at the end of four years..." This commentary will side with the "four years" timeline.
This would have been four years after returning from exile, which was two years after he saw David's face. Basically, Absalom spent two years turning the hearts of Israel towards himself.
8For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If Jehovah shall indeed bring me again to Jerusalem, then I will serve Jehovah.
9And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron.
10But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom is king in Hebron.
8For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the LORD shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD.
9And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron.
10But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron.
Commentary · verses 8-10
Absalom sent out spies to proclaim that he was king in Hebron. Hebron was a city approximately twenty miles south of Jerusalem. Absalom deceived David by telling him he was leaving to accomplish a vow he established in Geshur. Unlike David, here was a man putting forth effort to make himself king.
11And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were invited, and went in their simplicity; and they knew not anything.
12And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counsellor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he was offering the sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.
11And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing.
12And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counsellor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.
Commentary · verses 11-12
Ahithophel was David's counselor and Bath-sheba's grandfather (2 Samuel 11:3; 23:34).
13And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.
14And David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for else none of us shall escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us quickly, and bring down evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword.
13And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.
14And David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not else escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword.
Commentary · verses 13-14
Absalom swayed David's counselor, so Absalom would know David's strategy. David found out about the men of Israel being towards Absalom. David told his servants that they would all flee so that they could escape Absalom.
Commentary · verse 14
Was David afraid of Absalom? Was David afraid of Ahithophel? Or was David focused on protecting his people? Again, one of the great things that set David apart from other kings is that he did not facilitate his own authority, God gave him the throne. Did David maintain that perspective? Meaning, did David have faith that God would not only set him up as king but God would keep David there?
15And the king’s servants said unto the king, Behold, thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall choose.
16And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, that were concubines, to keep the house.
15And the king’s servants said unto the king, Behold, thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint.
16And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, which were concubines, to keep the house.
Commentary · verses 15-16
All of David's house went with him except for ten of his concubines. Remember, someone would "lie" with David's wives in the sight of the sun.
17And the king went forth, and all the people after him; and they tarried in Beth-merhak.
18And all his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men that came after him from Gath, passed on before the king.
17And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off.
18And all his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men which came after him from Gath, passed on before the king.
Commentary · verses 17-18
The Cherethites and the Pelethites were David's personal bodyguards. The Gittites followed David from his time among the Philistines.
Commentary · verse 18
David wrote Psalm 55:4-8, Psalm 3:1-6, Psalms 41, 61, 62, and 63 during this time.
19Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Wherefore goest thou also with us? return, and abide with the king: for thou art a foreigner, and also an exile; return to thine own place.
19Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Wherefore goest thou also with us? return to thy place, and abide with the king: for thou art a stranger, and also an exile.
Commentary · verse 19
David wondered why this foreigner took a risk by staying with David.
20Whereas thou camest but yesterday, should I this day make thee go up and down with us, seeing I go whither I may? return thou, and take back thy brethren; mercy and truth be with thee.
21And Ittai answered the king, and said, As Jehovah liveth, and as my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether for death or for life, even there also will thy servant be.
20Whereas thou camest but yesterday, should I this day make thee go up and down with us? seeing I go whither I may, return thou, and take back thy brethren: mercy and truth be with thee.
21And Ittai answered the king, and said, As the LORD liveth, and as my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will thy servant be.
Commentary · verses 20-21
David told Ittai, who had just recently joined him, to go home. Ittai refused and said his place was with David.
22And David said to Ittai, Go and pass over. And Ittai the Gittite passed over, and all his men, and all the little ones that were with him.
23And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness.
24And, lo, Zadok also came, and all the Levites with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God; and they set down the ark of God; and Abiathar went up, until all the people had done passing out of the city.
22And David said to Ittai, Go and pass over. And Ittai the Gittite passed over, and all his men, and all the little ones that were with him.
23And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness.
24And lo Zadok also, and all the Levites were with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God: and they set down the ark of God; and Abiathar went up, until all the people had done passing out of the city.
Commentary · verses 22-24
They took the Ark of the Covenant with them. The priests, Zadok and Abiathar, stayed with David.
25And the king said unto Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city: if I shall find favor in the eyes of Jehovah, he will bring me again, and show me both it, and his habitation: 26but if he say thus, I have no delight in thee; behold, here am I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him.
25And the king said unto Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city: if I shall find favour in the eyes of the LORD, he will bring me again, and shew me both it, and his habitation:
26But if he thus say, I have no delight in thee; behold, here am I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him.
Commentary · verses 25-26
David commanded the Ark to go back to Jerusalem. David believed that if God had favor on him, God would bring him back. David considered that God could have been behind this and his faith was proven out in his actions.
27The king said also unto Zadok the priest, Art thou not a seer? return into the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz thy son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar.
28See, I will tarry at the fords of the wilderness, until there come word from you to certify me.
29Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem: and they abode there.
30And David went up by the ascent of the mount of Olives, and wept as he went up; and he had his head covered, and went barefoot: and all the people that were with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.
31And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O Jehovah, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.
27The king said also unto Zadok the priest, Art not thou a seer? return into the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz thy son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar.
28See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until there come word from you to certify me.
29Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem: and they tarried there.
30And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.
31And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.
Commentary · verses 27-31
David and the people with him were weeping. David was distressed. David found out about Ahithophel and prayed that Ahithophel's counsel would be turned into foolishness. Was this a prayer God could Justly answer? Was David praying for something that would be against the will of another person? How would God answer this prayer?
Doctrines on this passage
32And it came to pass, that, when David was come to the top of the ascent, where God was worshipped, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat rent, and earth upon his head.
32And it came to pass, that when David was come to the top of the mount, where he worshipped God, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat rent, and earth upon his head:
Commentary · verse 32
Archi was a town on the southern boundary of Ephraim and Benjamin.
33And David said unto him, If thou passest on with me, then thou wilt be a burden unto me: 34but if thou return to the city, and say unto Absalom, I will be thy servant, O king; as I have been thy father’s servant in time past, so will I now be thy servant; then wilt thou defeat for me the counsel of Ahithophel.
33Unto whom David said, If thou passest on with me, then thou shalt be a burden unto me:
34But if thou return to the city, and say unto Absalom, I will be thy servant, O king; as I have been thy father’s servant hitherto, so will I now also be thy servant: then mayest thou for me defeat the counsel of Ahithophel.
Commentary · verses 33-34
David wanted Hushai to deceive Absalom so he could defeat the counsel of Ahithophel. Was David's prayer not enough? Now he was trying to make his own prayer be answered.
35And hast thou not there with thee Zadok and Abiathar the priests? therefore it shall be, that what thing soever thou shalt hear out of the king’s house, thou shalt tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests.
36Behold, they have there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz, Zadok’s son, and Jonathan, Abiathar’s son; and by them ye shall send unto me everything that ye shall hear.
37So Hushai, David’s friend, came into the city; and Absalom came into Jerusalem.
35And hast thou not there with thee Zadok and Abiathar the priests? therefore it shall be, that what thing soever thou shalt hear out of the king’s house, thou shalt tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests.
36Behold, they have there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz Zadok’s son, and Jonathan Abiathar’s son; and by them ye shall send unto me every thing that ye can hear.
37So Hushai David’s friend came into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem.
Commentary · verses 35-37
Absalom took Jerusalem and Hushai (mentioned as David's friend) went to Absalom.
Commentary · verse 37
2 Samuel 13-15 covered the rape of Tamar and Absalom's attempt to take the kingdom from David.
Men honored kings by running before their chariots. God stated this in 1 Samuel 8:11 through Samuel to the people about the kings He would give Israel. This was Absalom's way of appearing to be a king.