2 Samuel 15

Absalom’s Conspiracy

1 In the course of time, Absalom provided himself with a chariot and horses and with fifty men to run ahead of him.
2 He would get up early and stand by the side of the road leading to the city gate. Whenever anyone came with a complaint to be placed before the king for a decision, Absalom would call out to him, “What town are you from?” He would answer, “Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel.”
3 Then Absalom would say to him, “Look, your claims are valid and proper, but there is no representative of the king to hear you.”
4 And Absalom would add, “If only I were appointed judge in the land! Then everyone who has a complaint or case could come to me and I would see that they receive justice.”
5 Also, whenever anyone approached him to bow down before him, Absalom would reach out his hand, take hold of him and kiss him.
6 Absalom behaved in this way toward all the Israelites who came to the king asking for justice, and so he stole the hearts of the people of Israel.
7 At the end of four[a] years, Absalom said to the king, “Let me go to Hebron and fulfill a vow I made to the LORD.
8 While your servant was living at Geshur in Aram, I made this vow: ‘If the LORD takes me back to Jerusalem, I will worship the LORD in Hebron.[b] ’ ”
9 The king said to him, “Go in peace.” So he went to Hebron.
10 Then Absalom sent secret messengers throughout the tribes of Israel to say, “As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpets, then say, ‘Absalom is king in Hebron.’ ”
11 Two hundred men from Jerusalem had accompanied Absalom. They had been invited as guests and went quite innocently, knowing nothing about the matter.
12 While Absalom was offering sacrifices, he also sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, to come from Giloh, his hometown. And so the conspiracy gained strength, and Absalom’s following kept on increasing.

David Flees

13 A messenger came and told David, “The hearts of the people of Israel are with Absalom.”
14 Then David said to all his officials who were with him in Jerusalem, “Come! We must flee, or none of us will escape from Absalom. We must leave immediately, or he will move quickly to overtake us and bring ruin on us and put the city to the sword.”
15 The king’s officials answered him, “Your servants are ready to do whatever our lord the king chooses.”
16 The king set out, with his entire household following him; but he left ten concubines to take care of the palace.
17 So the king set out, with all the people following him, and they halted at the edge of the city.
18 All his men marched past him, along with all the Kerethites and Pelethites; and all the six hundred Gittites who had accompanied him from Gath marched before the king.
19 The king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why should you come along with us? Go back and stay with King Absalom. You are a foreigner, an exile from your homeland.
20 You came only yesterday. And today shall I make you wander about with us, when I do not know where I am going? Go back, and take your people with you. May the LORD show you kindness and faithfulness.”[c]
21 But Ittai replied to the king, “As surely as the LORD lives, and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king may be, whether it means life or death, there will your servant be.”
22 David said to Ittai, “Go ahead, march on.” So Ittai the Gittite marched on with all his men and the families that were with him.
23 The whole countryside wept aloud as all the people passed by. The king also crossed the Kidron Valley, and all the people moved on toward the wilderness.
24 Zadok was there, too, and all the Levites who were with him were carrying the ark of the covenant of God. They set down the ark of God, and Abiathar offered sacrifices until all the people had finished leaving the city.
25 Then the king said to Zadok, “Take the ark of God back into the city. If I find favor in the LORD’s eyes, he will bring me back and let me see it and his dwelling place again.
26 But if he says, ‘I am not pleased with you,’ then I am ready; let him do to me whatever seems good to him.”
27 The king also said to Zadok the priest, “Do you understand? Go back to the city with my blessing. Take your son Ahimaaz with you, and also Abiathar’s son Jonathan. You and Abiathar return with your two sons.
28 I will wait at the fords in the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me.”
29 So Zadok and Abiathar took the ark of God back to Jerusalem and stayed there.
30 But David continued up the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went; his head was covered and he was barefoot. All the people with him covered their heads too and were weeping as they went up.
31 Now David had been told, “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” So David prayed, “LORD, turn Ahithophel’s counsel into foolishness.”
32 When David arrived at the summit, where people used to worship God, Hushai the Arkite was there to meet him, his robe torn and dust on his head.
33 David said to him, “If you go with me, you will be a burden to me.
34 But if you return to the city and say to Absalom, ‘Your Majesty, I will be your servant; I was your father’s servant in the past, but now I will be your servant,’ then you can help me by frustrating Ahithophel’s advice.
35 Won’t the priests Zadok and Abiathar be there with you? Tell them anything you hear in the king’s palace.
36 Their two sons, Ahimaaz son of Zadok and Jonathan son of Abiathar, are there with them. Send them to me with anything you hear.”
37 So Hushai, David’s confidant, arrived at Jerusalem as Absalom was entering the city.

2 Samuel 15 Commentary

Chapter 15

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)

Verses 1-6 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.

Verses 7-12 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.

Verses 13-23 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.

Verses 24-30 David is very careful for the safety of the ark. It is right to be more concerned for the church's prosperity than our own; to prefer the success of the gospel above our own wealth, credit, ease, and safety. Observe with what satisfaction and submission David speaks of the Divine disposal. It is our interest, as well as our duty, cheerfully to acquiesce in the will of God, whatever befalls us. Let us see God's hand in all events; and that we may not be afraid of what shall be, let us see all events in God's hand. David's sin was ever before him, ( Psalms 51:3 ) ; but never so plain, nor ever appearing so black as now. He never wept thus when Saul hunted him, but a wounded conscience makes troubles lie heavy, ( Psalms 38:4 ) .

Verses 31-37 David prays not against Ahithophel's person, but against his counsel. He prayed this, in firm belief that God has all hearts in his hand, and tongues also. But we must second our prayers with endeavours, and David did so, else we tempt God. But we do not find wisdom and simplicity so united in any mere man, that we can perceive nothing which needs forgiveness. Yet, when the Son of David was treated with all possible treachery and cruelty, his wisdom, meekness, candour, and patience, were perfect. Him let us follow, cleave to, and serve, in life and in death.

Cross References 47

  • 1. S 2 Samuel 12:11
  • 2. S 1 Samuel 8:11; 1 Kings 1:5
  • 3. S Genesis 23:10; 2 Samuel 19:8
  • 4. Proverbs 12:2
  • 5. Judges 9:29
  • 6. Romans 16:18
  • 7. S 2 Samuel 3:3; 2 Samuel 13:37-38
  • 8. S Genesis 28:20
  • 9. 1 Kings 1:34,39; 2 Kings 9:13
  • 10. ver 31,34; 2 Samuel 16:15,23; 2 Samuel 17:14; 2 Samuel 23:34; 1 Chronicles 27:33
  • 11. Job 19:14; Psalms 41:9; Psalms 55:13; Jeremiah 9:4
  • 12. Joshua 15:51
  • 13. Psalms 3:1
  • 14. 2 Samuel 12:11; 1 Kings 2:26; Psalms 3 Title; Psalms 132:1
  • 15. 2 Samuel 19:9
  • 16. 2 Samuel 16:21-22; 2 Samuel 20:3
  • 17. S 1 Samuel 30:14; 2 Samuel 8:18; 2 Samuel 20:7,23; 1 Kings 1:38,44; 1 Chronicles 18:17
  • 18. 2 Samuel 18:2
  • 19. S Genesis 31:15
  • 20. S 1 Samuel 22:2; 1 Samuel 23:13
  • 21. 2 Samuel 2:6
  • 22. Ruth 1:16-17; Proverbs 17:17
  • 23. 1 Samuel 11:4; Job 2:12
  • 24. 1 Kings 2:37; 2 Kings 23:12; 2 Chronicles 15:16; 2 Chronicles 29:16; 2 Chronicles 30:14; Jeremiah 31:40
  • 25. John 18:1
  • 26. S 2 Samuel 8:17; 2 Samuel 19:11
  • 27. Numbers 4:15; S Numbers 10:33; 1 Kings 2:26
  • 28. S 1 Samuel 22:20
  • 29. Exodus 15:13; S Leviticus 15:31; Psalms 43:3; Psalms 46:4; Psalms 84:1; Psalms 132:7; Jeremiah 25:30
  • 30. S Judges 10:15; 1 Samuel 3:18; 2 Samuel 22:20; 1 Kings 10:9
  • 31. S 1 Samuel 9:9
  • 32. ver 36; 2 Samuel 17:17; 1 Kings 1:42
  • 33. 2 Samuel 17:16
  • 34. S Numbers 25:6; S Psalms 30:5; 2 Samuel 19:4; Psalms 126:6
  • 35. Esther 6:12; Isaiah 20:2-4
  • 36. S ver 12; 2 Samuel 16:23; 2 Samuel 17:14,23
  • 37. ver 37; 2 Samuel 16:16; 2 Samuel 17:5; 1 Kings 4:16
  • 38. Joshua 16:2
  • 39. S Joshua 7:6; 2 Samuel 1:2
  • 40. 2 Samuel 19:35
  • 41. 2 Samuel 16:19
  • 42. 2 Samuel 17:14; Proverbs 11:14
  • 43. 2 Samuel 17:15-16
  • 44. 2 Samuel 18:19
  • 45. S ver 27; 2 Samuel 17:17; 1 Kings 1:42
  • 46. 2 Samuel 16:16-17; 1 Chronicles 27:33
  • 47. 2 Samuel 16:15

Footnotes 3

  • [a]. Some Septuagint manuscripts, Syriac and Josephus; Hebrew "forty"
  • [b]. Some Septuagint manuscripts; Hebrew does not have "in Hebron."
  • [c]. Septuagint; Hebrew "May kindness and faithfulness be with you"

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO SECOND SAMUEL 15

This chapter relates how that Absalom by various artful methods stole away the hearts of the people of Israel, 2Sa 15:1-6; that pretending a vow he had made, he got leave of the king to go to Hebron to perform it, 2Sa 15:7-9; where he formed a considerable conspiracy, 2Sa 15:10-12; of which David having information, thought it advisable to depart from Jerusalem, both for his own safety, and the good of the city, which he did with his family, and guards, and much people, 2Sa 15:13-18; though he would have persuaded Ittai the Gittite to have returned, but could not prevail upon him, 2Sa 15:19-23; however, he sent back the priests and the Levites with the ark, lest any harm should come to that, 2Sa 15:24-29; and as he and the people went up the mount of Olives weeping, it was told him that Ahithophel was among the conspirators, on which he put up a prayer that his counsel might be infatuated, 2Sa 15:30,31; and Hushai the Archite coming to him at that juncture, he sent him back to Jerusalem to defeat the counsel of Ahithophel, and to send him word by the priests what he should hear there from time to time, 2Sa 15:32-37.

2 Samuel 15 Commentaries

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