2 Samuel 15:14

14 Then David spoke to all of his officials who were with him in Jerusalem. He said, "Come on! We have to leave right away! If we don't, none of us will escape from Absalom. He'll move quickly to catch up with us. He'll destroy us. His men will kill everyone in the city with their swords."

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 While Absalom was offering sacrifices, he sent for Ahithophel. Ahithophel was David's adviser. He came to Absalom from Giloh, his hometown. The number of people who followed Absalom kept growing. So he became more and more able to carry out his plans against David.

13 A messenger came and spoke to David. He told him, "The hearts of the people are turned toward Absalom."

14 Then David spoke to all of his officials who were with him in Jerusalem. He said, "Come on! We have to leave right away! If we don't, none of us will escape from Absalom. He'll move quickly to catch up with us. He'll destroy us. His men will kill everyone in the city with their swords."

15 The king's officials answered him, "You are our king and master. We're ready to do anything you want."

16 The king started out. Everyone in his whole family went with him. But he left ten concubines behind to take care of the palace.