2 Samuel 15:5

5 And whenever a man came near to pay homage to him, he would put out his hand and take hold of him and kiss 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 would say to him, "See, your claims are good and right, but there is no man designated by the king to hear you."

4 Then Absalom would say, "Oh that I were judge in the land! Then every man with a dispute or cause might come to me, and I would give him justice."

5 And whenever a man came near to pay homage to him, he would put out his hand and take hold of him and kiss him.

6 Thus Absalom did to all of Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.

7 And at the end of four years Absalom said to the king, "Please let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed to the LORD, in Hebron.