Everyone in the countryside was weeping loudly as all the people passed by. And as the king crossed the Kidron Valley, all the people also passed toward the way of the wilderness. Everyone in the countrysideThis phrase highlights the widespread impact of the events unfolding in Israel. The Hebrew word for "countryside" is "ha'aretz," which often refers to the land or territory. This indicates that the sorrow and lamentation were not confined to a small group but were felt throughout the land. The collective mourning suggests a deep connection between the people and their king, David, as well as the gravity of the situation, which was Absalom's rebellion. was weeping loudly
The Hebrew root for "weeping" is "bakah," which conveys a sense of deep, audible lamentation. This public display of grief underscores the emotional turmoil and distress experienced by the people. In the ancient Near Eastern culture, such expressions of sorrow were common during times of national crisis or personal loss, reflecting the communal nature of their society. as all the people passed by
This phrase indicates a procession, a movement of the people alongside their king. The Hebrew word "abar" for "passed by" suggests crossing over or moving through. This movement is symbolic of transition and change, as the people are leaving behind the familiar and entering into uncertainty. It also reflects their loyalty and solidarity with David, despite the circumstances. The king also crossed the Kidron Valley
The Kidron Valley, or "Nachal Kidron" in Hebrew, is a significant geographical location east of Jerusalem. It often served as a boundary marker and was associated with moments of crisis and decision in Israel's history. David's crossing of the Kidron Valley is symbolic of his departure from Jerusalem, a city he had established as the political and spiritual center of Israel. This act signifies a humbling moment for David, as he leaves the city he once conquered and ruled. and all the people moved on toward the wilderness
The "wilderness," or "midbar" in Hebrew, is a place of testing, refuge, and divine encounter in the biblical narrative. It is where Israel wandered for forty years and where prophets like Elijah found solace. The movement toward the wilderness suggests a retreat from the immediate threat posed by Absalom, but it also opens the possibility for renewal and divine intervention. The wilderness is a place where God often meets His people, providing guidance and sustenance in times of need. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe King of Israel, who is fleeing from his son Absalom's rebellion. This moment marks a significant emotional and spiritual trial for David. 2. AbsalomDavid's son, who has initiated a rebellion against his father, seeking to usurp the throne of Israel. 3. Kidron ValleyA valley east of Jerusalem, significant in biblical history as a place of crossing during times of distress and transition. 4. The PeopleThe citizens of Israel who are loyal to David, accompanying him in his flight, expressing their sorrow and loyalty through their weeping. 5. The WildernessRepresents a place of refuge and testing, often associated with God's provision and presence in times of trial. Teaching Points The Reality of TrialsLife often brings unexpected challenges, even for those who are faithful to God. David's experience reminds us that trials are a part of the Christian journey. God's Presence in DistressJust as God was with David in the wilderness, He is with us in our times of trouble. We can trust in His presence and provision. The Importance of LamentThe weeping of the people signifies the importance of expressing grief and seeking God in times of sorrow. Lament is a biblical response to suffering. Leadership in CrisisDavid's leadership is tested in this moment. True leadership is demonstrated not in times of ease but in how one responds to adversity. Faithfulness Despite BetrayalDavid's experience foreshadows Christ's own betrayal. We are called to remain faithful, trusting in God's ultimate plan and justice. Bible Study Questions 1. How does David's response to Absalom's rebellion reflect his character and faith in God? 2. In what ways can the Kidron Valley symbolize the trials we face in our own lives? 3. How does the concept of lament, as seen in this passage, help us process our own grief and suffering? 4. What lessons can we learn from David's leadership during this crisis that can be applied to our own roles of influence? 5. How does the parallel between David's and Jesus' experiences in the Kidron Valley deepen our understanding of God's faithfulness in times of betrayal and distress? Connections to Other Scriptures Psalm 3David's prayer during his flight from Absalom, expressing trust in God despite the overwhelming circumstances. John 18:1Jesus crosses the Kidron Valley on the night of His betrayal, drawing a parallel to David's experience of betrayal and distress. Exodus 14The Israelites' crossing of the Red Sea, symbolizing God's deliverance in times of dire need, similar to David's crossing into the wilderness. 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 Aloud, Brook, Crossed, Desert, Direction, Edge, Front, Kidron, Loud, Moved, Olive-tree, Passed, Passing, Torrent, Towards, Valley, Voice, Waiting, Waste, Weeping, Wept, WildernessDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Samuel 15:23 4290 valleys 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 15:23 NIV2 Samuel 15:23 NLT2 Samuel 15:23 ESV2 Samuel 15:23 NASB2 Samuel 15:23 KJV
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