2 Samuel15
American Standard Version · Public Domain
1And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him a chariot and horses, and fifty men to run before him.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 2 Samuel 15.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Absalom's ambition. (1–6). His conspiracy. (7–12). David leaves Jerusalem. (13–23). David sends back the ark. (24–30). He prays against Ahithophel's counsel. (31–37).
vv1-6
David allows Absalom's pomp. Those parents know not what they do, who indulge a proud humour in their children: many young people are ruined by pride. And those commonly are most eager for authority who least understand its duties.
vv7-12
See how willing tender parents are to believe the best concerning their children. But how easy and how wicked is it, for children to take advantage of good parents, and to deceive them with the show of religion! The principal men of Jerusalem joined Absalom's feast upon his sacrifice. Pious persons are glad to see others appear religious, and this gives occasion for deceptions. The policy of wicked men, and the subtlety of Satan, are exerted to draw good persons to countenance base designs.
vv13-23
David determined to quit Jerusalem. He took this resolve, as a penitent submitting to the rod. Before unrighteous Absalom he could justify himself, and stand out; but before the righteous God he must condemn himself, and yield to his judgments. Thus he accepts the punishment of his sin. And good men, when they themselves suffer, are anxious that others should not be led to suffer with them. He compelled none; those whose hearts were with Absalom, to Absalom let them go, and so shall their doom be. Thus Christ enlists none but willing followers. David cannot bear to think that Ittai, a stranger and an exile, a proselyte and a new convert, who ought to be encouraged and made easy, should meet with hard usage. But such value has Ittai for David's wisdom and goodness, that he will not leave him. He is a friend indeed, who loves at all times, and will adhere to us in adversity. Let us cleave to the Son of David, with full purpose of heart, and neither life nor death shall separate us from his love.
Key Words
אַחַר: properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
אֲבִישָׁלוֹם: Abshalom, a son of David; also (the fuller form) a later Israelite
עָשָׂה: to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
מֶרְכָּבָה: a chariot
סוּס: a horse (as leaping); also a swallow (from its rapid flight)
חֲמִשִּׁים: fifty
אִישׁ: a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
רוּץ: to run (for whatever reason, especially to rush)
פָּנִים: the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.)
שָׁכַם: literally, to load up (on the back of man or beast), i.e. to start early in the morning
Cross References
2 Samuel 15Ahithophel's betrayal of David directly foreshadows Judas's betrayal of the Son of David.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
David crossing the brook Kidron in rejection foreshadows Christ crossing Kidron to His agony in Gethsemane.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Adonijah mimics Absalom's royal presumption, preparing chariots, horses, and fifty men to run before him.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
David's personal prayer and lament composed specifically during his flight from Absalom.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Leaving ten concubines to keep the house directly prepares for the fulfillment of Nathan's judgment prophecy.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Ahithophel counsels Absalom to go in unto David's concubines left behind to keep the house.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Identifies the Cherethites and Pelethites as David's loyal royal bodyguard from his early reign.
Supported by Matthew Poole
David refuses to treat the Ark as a superstitious talisman, unlike Israel at Aphek.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Parallels Abimelech's demagoguery and self-promotion to steal power from legitimate authority.
Supported by Matthew Henry
One proposed epocha for the 'forty years' is David's original anointing by Samuel.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Confirms Absalom's mother was from Geshur, explaining his place of exile.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Zadok and Abiathar remain key intermediaries in Jerusalem, later carrying David's message to Judah.
Supported by Matthew Poole
David ascends Mount Olivet weeping, where Christ later wept over Jerusalem's rejection.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Absalom's flattering, fair speeches illustrate those who deceive the hearts of the simple.
Supported by Matthew Henry
David echoes Eli's absolute resignation to the sovereign will and judgment of God.
Supported by Matthew Henry