2 Samuel15
English Standard Version
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1 himself a and , and to him.
2 And used to rise and the of the . And when any had a to before the for , would to him and , are you? And when he , Your is such and a in ,
3 would to him, , your are and , but there is man designated the to you.
4 Then would , that I in the ! Then a or might me, and I would give him .
5 And whenever a came to pay to him, he would his and take hold and him.
6 to of who to the for . So the of the of .
7 the of to the , let me and my , I have to the Lord, in .
8 your a while I at in , , the Lord will indeed to , then I will to the Lord.
9 The to him, in . So he and to .
10 But throughout the of , , As soon as you the of the , then , is at !
11 With who were guests, and they in their and .
12 And while was the , he for the , , his . And the , and the with .
13 And a to , , The of the of have gone .
14 Then to his were with him at , , and let us , or there will be for us . , he us and on us and the with the of the .
15 And the to the , , your are ready to do my the .
16 So the , and his him. And the to the .
17 And the , and the him. And they at the .
18 And his him, and the , and the , and the had him , the .
19 Then the to the , do you with us? Go and the , you are a and an your .
20 You , and shall I make you us, since I I know not ? Go and your you, and may the Lord show and to you.
21 But the , As the Lord , and as my the , my the shall , for for , also will your be.
22 And to , then, . So the with his and the were with him.
23 And the as the , and the the , and the the .
24 And , and , came with the , the of the of . And they the of the had all out the .
25 Then the to , the of into the . I in the of the Lord, he will and let me both it and his .
26 But he , I have in you, , here I am, let him to me to him.
27 The also to the , Are you not a ? Go to the in , with your , your , and the of .
28 , I will at the of the you to me.
29 So and the of to , and they .
30 But the of the Mount of , as he , and with his . And the were with him , and they , as they .
31 And it was , is among the . And , O Lord, the of into .
32 While was the , was , , the him with his and on his .
33 to him, you go with me, you will be a me.
34 But you to the and to , I will be your , O ; as I have been your in , so I will be your , then you will for me the of .
35 Are not and the you ? So you the , it to and the .
36 , their are them , , son, and , son, and you shall to me you .
37 So , , came the , just as was .
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2 Samuel 15Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 2 Samuel 15. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.
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