2 Samuel 15:1

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

2 Samuel 15:1 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 15:1

And it came to pass after this
After the reconciliation of David and Absalom, and the latter was admitted to court again:

that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses;
to make himself look grand and respectable among the people; perhaps he got these from his grandfather at Geshur in Syria:

and fifty men to run before him;
which added to his pomp and magnificence; and such great personages in later time have had; Nero the Roman emperor never went on a journey with less than a thousand calashes or chariots, and a great number of men that ran before him {c}: and this was tacitly setting himself up for king, at least preparing for it, as Adonijah afterwards did in the same way and manner, ( 1 Kings 1:5 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F3 Suetonius in Vit. Neron. c. 30. Vid. Senecae, Ep. 87. & 123.

2 Samuel 15:1 In-Context

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.