For your servant made a vow while dwelling in Geshur of Aram, saying: 'If indeed the LORD brings me back to Jerusalem, I will worship the LORD in Hebron.'" For your servant made a vowThe phrase "your servant" reflects a posture of humility and submission, often used in the Old Testament to denote one's relationship to God or a king. The Hebrew word for "servant" is "ebed," which implies a bondservant or one who is in service to another. This reflects the biblical principle of servanthood, where one's life is dedicated to the service of God and others. The act of making a vow, or "neder" in Hebrew, was a solemn promise or commitment made before God, often in times of distress or need, signifying a deep spiritual commitment and reliance on divine intervention. when I dwelt in Geshur of Aram
Geshur was a small Aramean kingdom located northeast of the Sea of Galilee. The historical context here is significant, as Geshur was the homeland of Absalom's mother, Maacah, making it a place of refuge for Absalom after he fled from his father, King David. The phrase "dwelt in Geshur" indicates a period of exile and separation from the covenant community of Israel, highlighting themes of alienation and the longing for restoration. This geographical and familial connection underscores the complex political and personal dynamics at play in Absalom's life. saying, ‘If the LORD really brings me back to Jerusalem
The conditional "if" introduces a statement of hope and trust in God's providence. The Hebrew name for God used here is "Yahweh," the covenant name of God, emphasizing His faithfulness and sovereignty. The phrase "brings me back" suggests a return from exile, a theme prevalent throughout the Bible, symbolizing repentance, restoration, and reconciliation with God and His people. Jerusalem, the city of David, represents the center of worship and the heart of the Israelite nation, making the return not just a physical journey but a spiritual homecoming. I will worship the LORD in Hebron
"Worship" in Hebrew is "shachah," meaning to bow down or prostrate oneself, indicating an act of reverence and submission to God. Hebron holds significant historical and spiritual importance as one of the oldest cities in the region, associated with the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It was also the first capital of King David's reign, symbolizing a place of covenantal promise and divine encounter. Absalom's vow to worship in Hebron reflects a desire to honor God in a place rich with ancestral and spiritual heritage, highlighting the importance of fulfilling vows and maintaining a heart of worship. Persons / Places / Events 1. AbsalomThe son of King David, who is speaking in this verse. He is known for his rebellion against his father and his attempt to usurp the throne of Israel. 2. GeshurA region in Aram (modern-day Syria) where Absalom fled after killing his brother Amnon. It was the home of his maternal grandfather, King Talmai. 3. JerusalemThe capital city of Israel and the spiritual center for the Israelites. It is where Absalom desires to return and fulfill his vow to the LORD. 4. VowA solemn promise made to God, which in this context, Absalom claims to have made while in exile. 5. The LORDThe covenant name of God, Yahweh, to whom Absalom claims to have made his vow. Teaching Points The Seriousness of VowsVows made to God are not to be taken lightly. They require sincere intention and faithful fulfillment. Absalom's vow, whether genuine or manipulative, reminds us of the weight of our promises to God. Motives MatterAbsalom's actions suggest ulterior motives behind his vow. This teaches us to examine our hearts and ensure our commitments to God are made with pure intentions. The Consequences of DeceptionAbsalom's deceitful use of a vow to further his rebellion against David serves as a warning against using spiritual commitments for personal gain. God's Sovereignty in Our PlansWhile Absalom attempts to manipulate circumstances, God's sovereign plan ultimately prevails. We are reminded to trust in God's timing and purposes rather than our schemes. Repentance and RestorationAbsalom's return to Jerusalem could have been an opportunity for genuine repentance and restoration. This highlights the importance of seeking reconciliation with God and others. Bible Study Questions 1. What does Absalom's vow reveal about his character and intentions, and how can we ensure our vows to God are sincere? 2. How does the concept of making and fulfilling vows to God appear in other parts of the Bible, and what can we learn from these examples? 3. In what ways might we be tempted to use spiritual commitments for personal gain, and how can we guard against this? 4. How does God's sovereignty play a role in the unfolding events of Absalom's life, and how can we apply this understanding to our own lives? 5. What steps can we take to ensure that our return to God, like Absalom's return to Jerusalem, leads to genuine repentance and restoration? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 28:20-22Jacob makes a vow to God, promising to serve Him if God brings him back safely. This parallels Absalom's vow, highlighting the biblical tradition of making vows in times of distress. Ecclesiastes 5:4-5Discusses the importance of fulfilling vows made to God, emphasizing the seriousness of such commitments. Psalm 66:13-14The psalmist speaks of fulfilling vows made to God, reflecting a heart of gratitude and obedience. 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 Abode, Aram, Bring, Certainly, Dwelling, Dwelt, Geshur, Hebron, Indeed, Jerusalem, Lets, Oath, Offer, Saying, Servant, Serve, Served, Syria, Takes, Vow, Vowed, WorshipDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Samuel 15:1-13 5937 rivalry 2 Samuel 15:7-8 5741 vows 2 Samuel 15:7-10 5276 crime 2 Samuel 15:7-12 5468 promises, human
8830 suspicion 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 15:8 NIV2 Samuel 15:8 NLT2 Samuel 15:8 ESV2 Samuel 15:8 NASB2 Samuel 15:8 KJV
2 Samuel 15:8 Commentaries
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