2 Samuel 15:5

5 When a person approached to bow down to him, Absalom reached out his hand, took hold of him, and kissed him.

2 Samuel 15:5 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 15:5

And it was [so], that when any man came nigh [to him] to do him
obeisance
To pay his respects, and bow to him, as being the king's son, a prince of the blood, and heir to the crown, as was supposed:

he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him;
he put out his hand and shook hands with him, or took him about the neck and kissed him, and by this free, familiar, affable, and courteous manner, strangely won upon and gained the affections of the people, as follows. Fortunatus Schacchus ^F5 thinks he put forth his hand to be kissed by them, and then kissed them, which was more than was usual.

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FOOTNOTES:

F5 Eloeochrism. Myrothec. l. 3. c. 34. col. 964.

2 Samuel 15:5 In-Context

3 Absalom said to him, "Look, your claims are good and right, but the king does not have anyone to listen to you."

4 He added, "If only someone would appoint me judge in the land. Then anyone who had a grievance or dispute could come to me, and I would make sure he received justice."

5 When a person approached to bow down to him, Absalom reached out his hand, took hold of him, and kissed him.

6 Absalom did this to all the Israelites who came to the king for a settlement. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.

7 When four years had passed, Absalom said to the king, "Please let me go to Hebron to fulfill a vow I made to the Lord.