2 Samuel 15

King James Version

Full text for 2 Samuel Chapter 15

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

2And 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.

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

4Absalom 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!

5And 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.

6And 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.

8For 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.

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

10But 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.

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

12And 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.

14And 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.

15And the king's servants said unto the king, Behold, thy servants [are ready to do] whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint.

16And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, [which were] concubines, to keep the house.

17And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off.

18And 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.

19Then 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.

20Whereas 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.

21And 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.

22And 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.

23And 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.

25And 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:

26But if he thus say, I have no delight in thee; behold, [here am] I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him.

27The 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.

28See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until there come word from you to certify me.

29Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem: and they tarried there.

30And 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.

32And 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:

33Unto whom David said, If thou passest on with me, then thou shalt be a burden unto me:

34But 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.

35And [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.

36Behold, [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.

37So Hushai David's friend came into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Absalom subtly gains popular support by discrediting King David's administration and feigning concern for the people's grievances, thereby "stealing the hearts" of Israel. He then obtains permission to go to Hebron under the guise of fulfilling a vow, where he publicly declares himself king, drawing many, including David's trusted counsellor Ahithophel, to his side. Upon learning of the widespread rebellion, David and his loyalists flee Jerusalem, demonstrating humility and trust in God's providence while strategically sending Hushai back to counter Ahithophel's counsel.

Medium Summary

Absalom initiates a calculated campaign to usurp his father's throne, first by charming the people and subtly undermining King David's judicial authority, effectively "stealing the hearts of the men of Israel." He then obtains permission to go to Hebron under the guise of fulfilling a vow, which serves as a deceptive pretext to orchestrate his public declaration as king, sending spies throughout the land to announce his reign. The conspiracy gains significant momentum, attracting many, including Ahithophel, David's highly esteemed counsellor. Informed of the rebellion's strength, David decides to evacuate Jerusalem with his household and loyal followers to prevent bloodshed, crossing the Kidron Valley in sorrow. He sends the Ark of the Covenant back to the city, trusting in God's will for his return, and instructs priests Zadok and Abiathar to remain as intelligence gatherers. David also dispatches Hushai, his loyal friend, to infiltrate Absalom's court and deliberately frustrate Ahithophel's strategic advice.

Long Summary

The chapter details Absalom's calculated and successful rebellion against his father, King David. Absalom begins by preparing a retinue of chariots and men, then strategically positions himself at the city gate to intercept those seeking royal judgment. He feigns concern for their grievances, lamenting the lack of a royal representative to hear their cases, and expresses a desire to provide justice himself, thereby "stealing the hearts of the men of Israel" through flattery and false promises. After four years, Absalom requests permission from David to travel to Hebron to fulfill a vow to the LORD, a deceptive pretext for initiating his coup. Upon arriving in Hebron, he dispatches spies throughout Israel to proclaim his kingship upon the sound of a trumpet. Two hundred unsuspecting men from Jerusalem accompany him, and crucially, Absalom secures the allegiance of Ahithophel, David's highly esteemed counsellor, signifying the conspiracy's growing strength. When news reaches David that "the hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom," he immediately decides to flee Jerusalem with his household and loyal servants to avoid a direct confrontation and the city's destruction. During their exodus, David tests the loyalty of Ittai the Gittite, a foreign mercenary, who pledges unwavering devotion, choosing to remain with the king in exile. As they depart, the entire land weeps, and David and his people cross the Brook Kidron. David instructs Zadok and Abiathar, who bring the Ark of the Covenant, to return it to Jerusalem, expressing his submission to God's will concerning his future. He further tasks the priests with remaining in the city to gather intelligence, using their sons, Ahimaaz and Jonathan, as messengers. Ascending the Mount of Olives, David weeps, his head covered and barefoot, a profound display of grief and humility. Upon learning of Ahithophel's involvement, David prays for God to confound his counsel. He then encounters Hushai the Archite and instructs him to return to Jerusalem, feign loyalty to Absalom, and actively work to undermine Ahithophel's advice, thereby serving as a crucial counter-intelligence agent. The chapter concludes with Hushai entering Jerusalem as Absalom arrives.

Core Concepts

  • Absalom's Usurpation StrategyAbsalom systematically undermines David's authority by charming the populace, feigning concern for their grievances, and then using a false religious pretext to launch his rebellion from Hebron, effectively "stealing the hearts of the men of Israel."
  • David's Flight and HumilityFaced with widespread rebellion, King David chooses to flee Jerusalem to prevent bloodshed, demonstrating a posture of humility and submission to God's will, as evidenced by his weeping ascent of the Mount of Olives, covered head, and bare feet.
  • Loyalty Amidst BetrayalDespite the widespread defection, figures like Ittai the Gittite and David's personal guard (Cherethites, Pelethites, Gittites) demonstrate unwavering loyalty to the king, contrasting sharply with the betrayal of Absalom and Ahithophel.
  • Divine Providence and TrustDavid's decision to send the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem, stating "if I shall find favour in the eyes of the LORD, he will bring me again," illustrates his profound trust in God's ultimate control over his destiny, even in dire circumstances.
  • Strategic Counter-IntelligenceDavid actively employs strategic measures to counter Absalom's conspiracy, notably by praying for Ahithophel's counsel to be turned into foolishness and by sending Hushai back to Jerusalem to infiltrate Absalom's court and frustrate Ahithophel's advice.
  • The Role of Priests as InformantsZadok and Abiathar, the priests, are instructed by David to remain in Jerusalem, not only to care for the Ark but also to serve as vital intelligence gatherers, using their sons as messengers to relay information back to the exiled king.
  • Ahithophel's BetrayalAhithophel, formerly David's trusted and wise counsellor, joins Absalom's conspiracy, a significant blow to David and a testament to the depth of the rebellion, prompting David's specific prayer for his counsel to be thwarted.