2 Samuel 15:4

4 Then Absalom would say, "{Oh, that someone would} appoint me as judge in the land, that {anyone} might come to me who had a legal dispute or a case, and I would give him justice."

2 Samuel 15:4 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 15:4

Absalom said, moreover
To the same persons, at the same time:

oh that I were made judge in the land;
by which it appears that he had no office under the king; partly either because of his crime, and so not thought fit, and partly because he appeared to be an ambitious aspiring man, and so it was thought not safe to put him into any office:

that every man that hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I
would do him justice;
at once, without any further trouble, or coming often, and in vain, and to no purpose.

2 Samuel 15:4 In-Context

2 Absalom used to rise early in the morning, and he stood {beside} the road [at] the gate; {anyone} who had a legal dispute to bring to the king for judgment Absalom would call to him and say, "{Where are you from?}" And he would say, "Your servant [is] from one of the tribes of Israel."

3 Then Absalom would say to him, "Look, your case [is] good and right, but for you there is no hearing with the king."

4 Then Absalom would say, "{Oh, that someone would} appoint me as judge in the land, that {anyone} might come to me who had a legal dispute or a case, and I would give him justice."

5 It happened whenever anyone drew near to do obeisance to him, that he would stretch his hand and take hold of him and kiss him.

6 Absalom did like this to all of Israel who came to the king for judgment; so Absalom stole the hearts of the people of Israel.

Footnotes

• [a]. Literally "Who will ...?"
• [b]. Literally "every man"