2 Samuel 15:1-11

1 And it came to pass after this that Absalom prepared himself chariots and horses and fifty men to run before him.

2 And Absalom rose up early and stood beside the way of the gate; and it was so that, when any man who had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him and said, "Of what city art thou?" And he said, "Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel."

3 And Absalom said unto him, "See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed by the king to hear thee."

4 Absalom said moreover, "Oh, that I were made judge in the land, that every man who hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice!"

5 And it was so that, when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand and took him and kissed him.

6 And in this manner did Absalom to all Israel who came to the king for judgment; so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.

7 And it came to pass after forty years, that Absalom said unto the king, "I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow which I have vowed unto the LORD in Hebron.

8 For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, `If the LORD shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD.'"

9 And the king said unto him, "Go in peace." So he arose and went to Hebron.

10 But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, "As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, `Absalom reigneth in Hebron.'"

11 And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem who were called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing.

2 Samuel 15:1-11 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO SECOND SAMUEL 15

This chapter relates how that Absalom by various artful methods stole away the hearts of the people of Israel, 2Sa 15:1-6; that pretending a vow he had made, he got leave of the king to go to Hebron to perform it, 2Sa 15:7-9; where he formed a considerable conspiracy, 2Sa 15:10-12; of which David having information, thought it advisable to depart from Jerusalem, both for his own safety, and the good of the city, which he did with his family, and guards, and much people, 2Sa 15:13-18; though he would have persuaded Ittai the Gittite to have returned, but could not prevail upon him, 2Sa 15:19-23; however, he sent back the priests and the Levites with the ark, lest any harm should come to that, 2Sa 15:24-29; and as he and the people went up the mount of Olives weeping, it was told him that Ahithophel was among the conspirators, on which he put up a prayer that his counsel might be infatuated, 2Sa 15:30,31; and Hushai the Archite coming to him at that juncture, he sent him back to Jerusalem to defeat the counsel of Ahithophel, and to send him word by the priests what he should hear there from time to time, 2Sa 15:32-37.