Lux Domini

2 Samuel 15

Chapter context

What is happening in 2 Samuel 15?

Davidic covenantsin and judgmentmercykingship

2 Samuel 15 belongs to the middle movement of the book, especially the section often described as David’s adultery and judgment. Second Samuel narrates David’s consolidation of rule, the covenant promise to his house, his sin with Bathsheba, and the convulsions that follow within his family and kingdom. Read this chapter with the wider themes of Davidic covenant, sin and judgment, and mercy in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.

1 And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him 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 that 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 of the king to hear thee.   4 Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which 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 on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that 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, that were called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing.   12 And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counsellor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.   13 And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.   14 And David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not else escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword.   15 And the king’s servants said unto the king, Behold, thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint.   16 And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, which were concubines, to keep the house.   17 And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off.   18 And all his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men which came after him from Gath, passed on before the king.   19 Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Wherefore goest thou also with us? return to thy place, and abide with the king: for thou art a stranger, and also an exile.   20 Whereas thou camest but yesterday, should I this day make thee go up and down with us? seeing I go whither I may, return thou, and take back thy brethren: mercy and truth be with thee.   21 And Ittai answered the king, and said, As the LORD liveth, and as my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will thy servant be.   22 And David said to Ittai, Go and pass over. And Ittai the Gittite passed over, and all his men, and all the little ones that were with him.   23 And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness.   24 And lo Zadok also, and all the Levites were with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God: and they set down the ark of God; and Abiathar went up, until all the people had done passing out of the city.   25 And the king said unto Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city: if I shall find favour in the eyes of the LORD, he will bring me again, and shew me both it, and his habitation:   26 But if he thus say, I have no delight in thee; behold, here am I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him.   27 The king said also unto Zadok the priest, Art not thou a seer? return into the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz thy son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar.   28 See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until there come word from you to certify me.   29 Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem: and they tarried there.   30 And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.   31 And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.   32 And it came to pass, that when David was come to the top of the mount, where he worshipped God, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat rent, and earth upon his head:   33 Unto whom David said, If thou passest on with me, then thou shalt be a burden unto me:   34 But if thou return to the city, and say unto Absalom, I will be thy servant, O king; as I have been thy father’s servant hitherto, so will I now also be thy servant: then mayest thou for me defeat the counsel of Ahithophel.   35 And hast thou not there with thee Zadok and Abiathar the priests? therefore it shall be, that what thing soever thou shalt hear out of the king’s house, thou shalt tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests.   36 Behold, they have there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz Zadok’s son, and Jonathan Abiathar’s son; and by them ye shall send unto me every thing that ye can hear.   37 So Hushai David’s friend came into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem.  

Study helps

Glossary

Absalom Person v. 1-4, 6-7, 10-14, 31, 34, 37

Father of peace; i. e., “peaceful” David’s son by Maacah ( 2 Sam. 3:3 ; comp. 1 Kings 1:6 ). He was noted for his personal beauty and for the extra-ordinary profusion of the hair of his head ( 2 Sam. 14:25 ,26).

City People v. 2, 12, 14, 24-25, 27, 34, 37

The earliest mention of city-building is that of Enoch, which was built by Cain ( Gen. 4:17 ). After the confusion of tongues, the descendants of Nimrod founded several cities (10:10-12).

Hebron Place v. 7-10

A community; alliance. (1. ) A city in the south end of the valley of Eshcol, about midway between Jerusalem and Beersheba, from which it is distant about 20 miles in a straight line. Modern identification: Tel Rumeida.

Aram Place v. 8

Biblical region. Modern identification: Damascus.

Geshur Place v. 8

Bridge, the name of a district or principality of Syria near Gilead, between Mount Hermon and the Lake of Tiberias ( 2 Sam. 15:8 ; 1 Chr. 2:23 ). Modern identification: Fiq.

Jerusalem Place v. 8, 11, 13-14, 29, 34, 37

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Jerusalem.

Ahithophel Person v. 12, 31, 34

Brother of insipidity or impiety, a man greatly renowned for his sagacity among the Jews. At the time of Absalom’s revolt he deserted David ( Ps. 41:9 ; 55:12-14 ) and espoused the cause of Absalom ( 2 Sam. 15:12 ).

Giloh Place v. 12

Exile, a city in the south-west part of the hill-country of Judah ( Josh. 15:51 ). It was the native place or residence of the traitor Ahithophel “the Gilonite”. Modern identification: Khirbet Rabud.

David Person v. 13-14, 22, 30-33

Beloved, the eighth and youngest son of Jesse, a citizen of Bethlehem. His father seems to have been a man in humble life. His mother’s name is not recorded. Some think she was the Nahash of 2 Sam. 17:25 .

Gath Place v. 18-19, 22

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Tell es Safi.

Exile People v. 19

(1. ) Of the kingdom of Israel. In the time of Pekah, Tiglath-pileser II. carried away captive into Assyria ( 2 Kings 15:29 ; comp. Isa. 10:5 , 6) a part of the inhabitants of Galilee and of Gilead (B. C. 741).

Kidron Place v. 22-23

Biblical river. Modern identification: Kidron River.

Abiathar Person v. 24, 27, 29, 35

Father of abundance, or my father excels, the son of Ahimelech the high priest. He was the tenth high priest, and the fourth in descent from Eli.

Ark Object v. 24-25, 29

Noah’s ark, a building of gopher-wood, and covered with pitch, 300 cubits long, 50 cubits broad, and 30 cubits high.

Zadok Person v. 24-25, 27, 29, 35

Righteous. (1. ) A son of Ahitub, of the line of Eleazer ( 2 Sam. 8:17 ; 1 Chr. 24:3 ), high priest in the time of David ( 2 Sam. 20:25 ) and Solomon ( 1 Kings 4:4 ).

Ahimaaz Person v. 27, 36

Brother of anger = irascible. (1. ) The father Ahinoam, the wife of Saul ( 1 Sam. 14:50 ). (2. ) The son and successor of Zadok in the office of high priest ( 1 Chr. 6:8 , 53).

Jonathan Person v. 27, 36

Whom Jehovah gave, the name of fifteen or more persons that are mentioned in Scripture. The chief of these are, (1. ) A Levite descended from Gershom ( Judg. 18:30 ). His history is recorded in 17:7-13 and 18:30.

Jordan Place v. 28

Biblical river. Modern identification: Jordan River.

Mount of Olives Place v. 30, 32

Biblical hill. Modern identification: Mount of Olives.