2 Samuel 15:14

14 “Then we must flee at once, or it will be too late!” David urged his men. “Hurry! If we get out of the city before Absalom arrives, both we and the city of Jerusalem will be spared from disaster.”

2 Samuel 15:14 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 15:14

And David said unto all his servants that [were] with him at
Jerusalem
His courtiers and ministers of state, the officers of his household, as many of them as were with him in the city; for some of them very probably were in the country, as Ahithophel was, and some might be along with Absalom, whom he had invited to his peace offerings:

arise, and let us flee;
it is much that a man of such courage and valour as David should be so intimidated at once as to make a flight as soon as he heard of a conspiracy forming against him:

for we shall not [else] escape from Absalom;
his fears ran so high, that he fancied he would be upon them presently:

make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly;
which still more clearly shows the panic he was in:

and bring evil upon us;
kill them, or make them prisoners:

and smite the city with the edge of the sword;
the inhabitants of it, should they make resistance.

2 Samuel 15:14 In-Context

12 While Absalom was offering the sacrifices, he sent for Ahithophel, one of David’s counselors who lived in Giloh. Soon many others also joined Absalom, and the conspiracy gained momentum.

13 A messenger soon arrived in Jerusalem to tell David, “All Israel has joined Absalom in a conspiracy against you!”

14 “Then we must flee at once, or it will be too late!” David urged his men. “Hurry! If we get out of the city before Absalom arrives, both we and the city of Jerusalem will be spared from disaster.”

15 “We are with you,” his advisers replied. “Do what you think is best.”

16 So the king and all his household set out at once. He left no one behind except ten of his concubines to look after the palace.