2 Samuel 15:14

14 So David said to all his officials who were with him in Jerusalem, "We must get away at once if we want to escape from Absalom! Hurry! Or else he will soon be here and defeat us and kill everyone in the city!"

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 And while he was offering sacrifices, Absalom also sent to the town of Gilo for Ahithophel, who was one of King David's advisers. The plot against the king gained strength, and Absalom's followers grew in number.

13 A messenger reported to David, "The Israelites are pledging their loyalty to Absalom."

14 So David said to all his officials who were with him in Jerusalem, "We must get away at once if we want to escape from Absalom! Hurry! Or else he will soon be here and defeat us and kill everyone in the city!"

15 "Yes, Your Majesty," they answered. "We are ready to do whatever you say."

16 So the king left, accompanied by all his family and officials, except for ten concubines, whom he left behind to take care of the palace.