But David continued up the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went up. His head was covered, and he was walking barefoot. And all the people with him covered their heads and went up, weeping as they went. But David continued up the Mount of OlivesThe phrase "continued up" indicates a deliberate and determined action. David, despite his sorrow and the betrayal he faced, chose to ascend the Mount of Olives. The Mount of Olives holds significant historical and spiritual importance, being a place of refuge and prayer. In Hebrew, "Mount of Olives" is "Har HaZeitim," a place later associated with Jesus' own prayers and ascension. David's ascent symbolizes a journey towards God, seeking solace and guidance amidst turmoil. weeping as he went
David's weeping is a profound expression of his grief and repentance. The Hebrew word for weeping, "bakah," conveys a deep, lamenting cry. This public display of emotion reflects David's genuine sorrow over the rebellion of his son Absalom and the consequences of his own past sins. It is a moment of vulnerability, showing that even a king is not immune to the pains of life and the need for God's mercy. his head was covered
Covering the head is a traditional sign of mourning and humility in ancient Near Eastern cultures. In Hebrew, the word "kaphar" can mean to cover or atone. David's covered head signifies his acknowledgment of sin and his submission to God's will. It is a physical manifestation of his inner contrition and a plea for divine forgiveness and protection. and he was walking barefoot
Walking barefoot is another sign of mourning and penance. In the ancient world, removing one's sandals was a gesture of humility and respect, often done in sacred spaces. David's barefoot journey up the Mount of Olives is an act of reverence and submission to God, reminiscent of Moses at the burning bush. It underscores his recognition of the gravity of the situation and his dependence on God's grace. And all the people with him covered their heads
The people following David also cover their heads, sharing in his grief and supporting their king. This collective act of mourning demonstrates solidarity and loyalty. It reflects the communal nature of Israelite society, where the fate of the leader deeply impacts the people. Their shared sorrow and humility before God highlight the unity and faith of the community in times of crisis. and were weeping as they went up
The communal weeping as they ascend the Mount of Olives signifies a shared lamentation and a collective turning towards God. The ascent is not just physical but spiritual, as they seek divine intervention and comfort. This journey of tears is a powerful reminder of the importance of seeking God together, especially in times of distress, and trusting in His ultimate plan and purpose. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe King of Israel, who is fleeing from his son Absalom's rebellion. His actions in this verse reflect deep sorrow and humility. 2. Mount of OlivesA significant location east of Jerusalem, often associated with prayer and mourning. It is a place of refuge and reflection for David during his time of distress. 3. Absalom's RebellionThe backdrop of this event, where David's son Absalom has conspired to overthrow him, causing David to flee Jerusalem. 4. The People with DavidLoyal followers of David who share in his sorrow and demonstrate solidarity by covering their heads and weeping. 5. Weeping and MourningThe emotional response of David and his followers, symbolizing grief, repentance, and the gravity of the situation. Teaching Points Humility in LeadershipDavid's actions demonstrate humility. Leaders should be willing to show vulnerability and seek God's guidance in times of crisis. The Power of LamentLamenting is a biblical response to suffering. It allows us to express our grief and seek comfort in God. Solidarity in SufferingThe people with David shared in his sorrow, illustrating the importance of community support during difficult times. Seeking Refuge in GodThe Mount of Olives serves as a place of refuge and prayer, reminding us to seek God's presence when facing trials. Repentance and ReflectionCovering the head and going barefoot were signs of mourning and repentance, encouraging us to reflect on our actions and seek forgiveness. Bible Study Questions 1. How does David's response to his situation in 2 Samuel 15:30 demonstrate humility and reliance on God? 2. In what ways can we find comfort and strength in God during times of personal crisis, as David did? 3. How does the Mount of Olives serve as a significant location in both the Old and New Testaments, and what can we learn from its symbolism? 4. What role does community play in supporting us through difficult times, as seen in the actions of the people with David? 5. How can we incorporate the practice of lament into our spiritual lives, and what benefits might it bring in our relationship with God? Connections to Other Scriptures Psalm 3This Psalm is traditionally attributed to David during his flight from Absalom, expressing trust in God amidst adversity. Matthew 26:30-46Jesus' prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives, where He also experiences deep sorrow and distress, drawing a parallel to David's experience. John 11:35Jesus weeping at Lazarus' tomb, showing that even the Son of God expressed deep emotion, similar to David's weeping. People Abiathar, Absalom, Ahimaaz, Ahithophel, Aram, Arkite, Cherethites, David, Gittites, Hushai, Israelites, Ittai, Jonathan, Kerethites, Levites, Pelethites, ZadokPlaces Aram, Gath, Geshur, Giloh, Hebron, Jerusalem, Kidron, Mount of OlivesTopics Ascent, Barefoot, Barefooted, Continued, Covered, Covering, David, Heads, Mount, Olives, Olivet, Shoes, Slopes, Walked, Weeping, WeptDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Samuel 15:30 5157 head
5158 head-covering
5179 sandal
5195 veil
5198 weeping
5567 suffering, emotional
5945 self-pity Library A Loyal Vow
'And the king's servants said unto the king, Behold, thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint.'--2 SAMUEL xv. 15. We stand here at the darkest hour of King David's life. Bowed down by the consciousness of his past sin, and recognising in the rebellion of his favourite son the divine chastisement, his early courage and buoyant daring seem to have ebbed from him wholly. He is forsaken by the mass of his subjects, he is preparing to abandon Jerusalem, and to flee as an …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureIttai of Gath
'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.'--2 SAMUEL xv. 21. It was the darkest hour in David's life. No more pathetic page is found in the Old Testament than that which tells the story of his flight before Absalom. He is crushed by the consciousness that his punishment is deserved--the bitter fruit of the sin that filled all his later life …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Pardoned Sin Punished
'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 …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Loyal to the Core
On the other hand, look at Ittai, perfectly free to go, but in order to end the controversy once for all, and to make David know that he does not mean to leave him, he takes a solemn oath before Jehovah his God, and he doubles it by swearing by the life of David that he will never leave him; in life, in death, he will be with him. He has cast in his lot with him for better and for worse, and he means to be faithful to the end. Old Master Trapp says, "All faithful friends went on a pilgrimage years …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 26: 1880 Following Christ
"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."--2 Samuel 15:21. SOME men have a very remarkable power of creating and sustaining friendship in others. David was a man brimming over with affection--a man, notwithstanding all his rough soldier-life, of an exceedingly tender heart--a man, I was about to say--the word was on my tongue--a man of vast …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 62: 1916 The Will of God
"Here am I, let Him do to me as seemeth good unto Him."--2 Sam. xv. 26. G. Ter Steegen. tr., Emma Frances Bevan, 1899 Thou sweet beloved Will of God, My anchor ground, my fortress hill, The Spirit's silent fair abode, In Thee I hide me and am still. O Will, that willest good alone, Lead Thou the way, Thou guidest best; A silent child, I follow on, And trusting, lean upon Thy Breast. God's Will doth make the bitter sweet, And all is well when it is done; Unless His Will doth hallow it, The glory …
Frances Bevan—Hymns of Ter Steegen and Others (Second Series) A Light to Lighten the Gentiles
P. G. 2 Sam. xv. 19-22; John xii. 26 "Wherefore goest thou with me?" Said the king disowned-- Said the king despised, rejected, Disenthroned. "Go, return unto thy place, To thy king of yore-- Here a pilgrim and a stranger, Nothing more. "Not for thee the cities fair, Hills of corn and wine-- All was portioned ere thou camest, Nought is thine. "Wandering forth where'er I may, Exiled from mine own, Shame, rejection I can grant thee; That alone. "Turn and take thy brethren back, With thy people …
Frances Bevan—Hymns of Ter Steegen, Suso, and Others The Daily Walk with Others (iii. ).
Thrice happy they who at Thy side, Thou Child of Nazareth, Have learnt to give their struggling pride Into Thy hands to death: If thus indeed we lay us low, Thou wilt exalt us o'er the foe; And let the exaltation be That we are lost in Thee. Let me say a little on a subject which, like the last, is one of some delicacy and difficulty, though its problems are of a very different kind. It is, the relation between the Curate and his Incumbent; or more particularly, the Curate's position and conduct …
Handley C. G. Moule—To My Younger Brethren And V the Kingdom Undivided and the Kingdom Divided
THE HISTORICAL BOOKS: I and II Samuel. I and II Kings. I and II Chronicles. NOTE.--As these three pairs of books are so closely related in their historical contents, it is deemed best to study them together, though they overlap the two divisions of IV and V. I. CHARTS Chart A. General Contents +--+ " I AND II SAMUEL " +-------------+-----+------+ "Samuel "Saul "David " +-------------+-----+------+----------+ " " " " I AND II KINGS "NOTE.--Biblical …
Frank Nelson Palmer—A Bird's-Eye View of the Bible That Whereas the City of Jerusalem had Been Five Times Taken Formerly, this was the Second Time of Its Desolation. A Brief Account of Its History.
1. And thus was Jerusalem taken, in the second year of the reign of Vespasian, on the eighth day of the month Gorpeius [Elul]. It had been taken five [34] times before, though this was the second time of its desolation; for Shishak, the king of Egypt, and after him Antiochus, and after him Pompey, and after them Sosius and Herod, took the city, but still preserved it; but before all these, the king of Babylon conquered it, and made it desolate, one thousand four hundred and sixty-eight years and …
Flavius Josephus—The Wars of the Jews or History of the Destruction of Jerusalem King of Kings and Lord of Lords
And He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, K ING OF K INGS AND L ORD OF L ORDS T he description of the administration and glory of the Redeemer's Kingdom, in defiance of all opposition, concludes the second part of Messiah Oratorio. Three different passages from the book of Revelation are selected to form a grand chorus, of which Handel's title in this verse is the close --a title which has been sometimes vainly usurped by proud worms of this earth. Eastern monarchs, in particular, …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2 Samuel
Alike from the literary and the historical point of view, the book[1] of Samuel stands midway between the book of Judges and the book of Kings. As we have already seen, the Deuteronomic book of Judges in all probability ran into Samuel and ended in ch. xii.; while the story of David, begun in Samuel, embraces the first two chapters of the first book of Kings. The book of Samuel is not very happily named, as much of it is devoted to Saul and the greater part to David; yet it is not altogether inappropriate, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 2 Samuel 15:30 NIV2 Samuel 15:30 NLT2 Samuel 15:30 ESV2 Samuel 15:30 NASB2 Samuel 15:30 KJV
2 Samuel 15:30 Commentaries
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