Absalom would say, "Look, your claims are good and right, but the king has no deputy to hear you." Then Absalom would say to himThis phrase introduces us to Absalom, the son of King David, who is engaging with the people of Israel. The Hebrew root for "say" is "אָמַר" (amar), which often implies not just speaking but conveying a message with intent. Absalom's words are strategic, as he seeks to win the hearts of the Israelites. Historically, Absalom is known for his charm and charisma, which he uses to manipulate and gain favor among the people. This reflects a deeper theme of the dangers of ambition and the misuse of influence. Look, your claims are good and right
Here, Absalom acknowledges the grievances of the people. The Hebrew word for "claims" is "דְּבָרִים" (devarim), meaning words or matters. By affirming that their claims are "good and right," Absalom is positioning himself as a sympathetic and just figure. This phrase highlights the importance of justice and the perception of fairness in leadership. In a historical context, this reflects the societal need for accessible justice, which Absalom exploits to undermine his father, King David. but the king has no deputy to hear you
Absalom points out a perceived flaw in King David's administration. The term "deputy" in Hebrew is "שֹׁמֵעַ" (shomea), meaning one who listens or hears. Absalom suggests that there is a lack of accessibility to the king, implying that the people's needs are not being met. This statement is a strategic move to sow discontent and present himself as a solution. It underscores the biblical principle that leaders must be attentive and responsive to their people's needs. Historically, this reflects the political maneuvering that often occurs in monarchies, where rivals seek to exploit any perceived weaknesses in leadership. Persons / Places / Events 1. AbsalomThe third son of King David, known for his handsome appearance and charismatic personality. He is central to this passage as he seeks to undermine his father’s authority and win the hearts of the people of Israel. 2. King DavidThe reigning king of Israel at the time, known for his heart after God but also for his family troubles and political challenges. His leadership is being subtly challenged by his son Absalom. 3. The Gate of the CityA significant place in ancient Israelite society where legal matters were often addressed, and where Absalom positioned himself to intercept those seeking justice. 4. The People of IsraelThe citizens who come to seek justice from the king, representing the broader nation that Absalom is attempting to sway to his side. 5. The Event of Undermining AuthorityAbsalom's strategic move to gain favor with the people by suggesting that their grievances are valid but neglected by the current administration. Teaching Points The Danger of ManipulationAbsalom's actions remind us of the destructive power of manipulation and deceit. As believers, we must guard against using charm or deceit to achieve our ends. Respect for God-Ordained AuthorityAbsalom's rebellion against his father, the king, serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of respecting those whom God has placed in positions of authority. The Importance of Justice and FairnessAbsalom capitalized on perceived injustices. This highlights the need for leaders to ensure justice and fairness in their governance to prevent discontent. Guarding Our Hearts Against PrideAbsalom's pride and ambition led to his downfall. We must be vigilant in keeping our hearts humble before God. The Consequences of Family DiscordThe strife within David's family serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing family issues before they escalate. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Absalom's approach to gaining favor with the people reflect the tactics of manipulation and deceit seen elsewhere in Scripture? 2. In what ways can we ensure that we are respecting and supporting God-ordained authority in our lives, as instructed in Romans 13? 3. What steps can we take to promote justice and fairness in our communities to prevent the kind of discontent that Absalom exploited? 4. How can we guard our hearts against pride and ambition, learning from Absalom's example? 5. What lessons can we learn from the family dynamics of David and Absalom about addressing and resolving conflicts within our own families? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 3The serpent's deception of Eve parallels Absalom's manipulation, as both involve undermining authority and sowing seeds of doubt. Proverbs 6:16-19This passage lists things the Lord hates, including a heart that devises wicked schemes, which can be related to Absalom's actions. Romans 13:1-2This New Testament passage emphasizes the importance of respecting authority, contrasting with Absalom's rebellion. 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 Absalom, Ab'salom, Appointed, Behold, Cause, Claims, Deputed, Deputized, Hearing, Hearkening, Listens, Matters, Named, None, Proper, Representative, Straightforward, ValidDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Samuel 15:3 8402 claims 2 Samuel 15:1-4 5383 lawsuits
5786 ambition, negative
5822 criticism, against believers 2 Samuel 15:1-6 5554 status
5804 charm
5919 popularity 2 Samuel 15:1-13 5937 rivalry 2 Samuel 15:2-4 5265 complaints 2 Samuel 15:2-6 5863 flattery 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 15:3 NIV2 Samuel 15:3 NLT2 Samuel 15:3 ESV2 Samuel 15:3 NASB2 Samuel 15:3 KJV
2 Samuel 15:3 Commentaries
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