2 Samuel 15:8

Listen to 2 Samuel 15:8
8 For your servant 1vowed a vow 2while I lived at Geshur in Aram, saying, ā€˜If the Lord will indeed bring me back to Jerusalem, then I will offer worship to[a] the Lord. ā€™ā€

2 Samuel 15:8 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 15:8

For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria,
&c.] When at his grandfather's court there:

saying, if the Lord will bring me again indeed to Jerusalem;
which he might be sincerely desirous of:

then I will serve the Lord;
but it is a question whether he ever made a vow to this purpose, or concerned himself about serving the Lord; but it rather may be, this was a lie of his, now framed in order to get leave of the king to go to Hebron.

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2 Samuel 15:8 In-Context

6 Thus Absalom did to all of Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
7 And at the end of four years Absalom said to the king, ā€œPlease let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed to the Lord, in Hebron.
8 For your servant vowed a vow while I lived at Geshur in Aram, saying, ā€˜If the Lord will indeed bring me back to Jerusalem, then I will offer worship to the Lord. ā€™ā€
9 The king said to him, ā€œGo in peace. ā€ So he arose and went to Hebron.
10 But Absalom sent secret messengers throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, ā€œAs soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then say, ā€˜Absalom is king at Hebron! ā€™ā€

Cross References 2

  • 1. 15:8 Gen. 28:20, 21; 1 Sam. 1:11
  • 2. 15:8 ch. 13:38

Footnotes 1

  • [a] 15:8 Or 'will serve'
The Holy Bible, English Standard VersionĀ® (ESVĀ®) Ā© 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2025