2 Samuel 15:5

5 Also, when anyone approached to bow down to him, Absalom would reach out his hand, 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, “Look, your claims are good and right, but the king has no deputy to hear you.”

4 And he would add, “If only someone would appoint me judge in the land, then everyone with a grievance or dispute could come to me, and I would give him justice.”

5 Also, when anyone approached to bow down to him, Absalom would reach out his hand, take hold of him, and kiss him.

6 Absalom did this to all the Israelites who came to the king for justice. In this way he stole the hearts of the men of Israel.

7 After four years had passed, Absalom said to the king, “Please let me go to Hebron to fulfill a vow I have made to the LORD.