2 Samuel 15:5

5 Moreover, whenever any man came close to prostrate himself before him, he would put 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 Avshalom would say to him, "Look, your cause is good and just; but the king hasn't deputized anyone to hear your case."

4 Then Avshalom would continue, "Now if I were made judge in the land, anyone with a suit or other cause could come to me, and I would see that he gets justice!"

5 Moreover, whenever any man came close to prostrate himself before him, he would put out his hand, take hold of him and kiss him.

6 This is how Avshalom behaved toward anyone in Isra'el who came to the king for judgment, and in this way Avshalom stole the hearts of the people of Isra'el.

7 At the end of forty years, Avshalom said to the king, "Please let me go to Hevron and fulfill the vow I made to ADONAI.