"Go in peace," said the king. So Absalom got up and went to Hebron. Go in peaceThis phrase, spoken by King David, is a common Hebrew farewell, "לך לשלום" (lekh l'shalom), which means more than just a simple goodbye. It carries a blessing of safety, prosperity, and divine favor. In the context of the Bible, peace (shalom) is not merely the absence of conflict but a holistic state of well-being and harmony with God. David's use of this phrase indicates a desire for Absalom's well-being, despite the underlying tension and deceit in Absalom's heart. It reflects David's character as a man after God's own heart, who wishes peace even for those who may be plotting against him. said the king
The title "king" here refers to David, the anointed ruler of Israel. David's kingship is significant in biblical history as it represents the establishment of a united Israel and the Davidic line, which is central to the messianic prophecy. The authority of the king in ancient Israel was both political and spiritual, as the king was seen as God's chosen leader. David's words carry weight not only because of his position but also because of his relationship with God. His role as king is a reminder of the covenantal promises God made to Israel and the future hope of a Messiah from David's lineage. So he set out
This phrase indicates action and decision. Absalom's departure is not just a physical journey but a pivotal moment in the narrative. The Hebrew root for "set out" (הלך, halakh) often implies a purposeful journey or mission. Absalom's setting out is laden with intention, as he is not merely traveling to Hebron but is beginning his rebellion against his father, David. This action sets in motion a series of events that will lead to significant conflict and turmoil within the kingdom, highlighting the themes of ambition, betrayal, and the consequences of sin. and went to Hebron
Hebron is a city of great historical and spiritual significance in the Bible. It is one of the oldest cities in the region and was the place where Abraham settled and where David was first anointed king over Judah. Absalom's choice of Hebron is strategic; it is a city with deep roots in Israel's history and a place where he could garner support for his rebellion. Theologically, Hebron represents a place of covenant and promise, yet here it becomes a backdrop for Absalom's treachery. This juxtaposition serves as a reminder of the tension between God's plans and human actions, and the ways in which God can work through even the most challenging circumstances to fulfill His purposes. Persons / Places / Events 1. King DavidThe reigning king of Israel, known for his heart after God, but also for his personal and familial struggles. In this passage, he is the one granting Absalom permission to go to Hebron. 2. AbsalomThe third son of David, known for his handsome appearance and charismatic personality. He harbors resentment against his father and is plotting to usurp the throne. 3. HebronA significant city in the history of Israel, previously the capital before Jerusalem. It is where Absalom goes under the pretense of fulfilling a vow but is actually planning his rebellion. 4. RebellionThe event that is set into motion by Absalom's departure to Hebron, where he plans to declare himself king and gather support against David. 5. DeceptionAbsalom's deceitful plan to overthrow his father, which begins with his request to go to Hebron under false pretenses. Teaching Points The Consequences of Unresolved ConflictUnresolved issues within families can lead to deep-seated resentment and destructive actions. Absalom's rebellion is rooted in unresolved conflict with his father, David. The Deceptive Nature of SinSin often begins with deception, both of oneself and others. Absalom's outward appearance of piety masks his true intentions, reminding us to be wary of deceit in our own lives. The Importance of DiscernmentDavid's lack of discernment in this situation serves as a cautionary tale. We must seek God's wisdom to discern the true intentions of those around us. Trusting God's Sovereignty in BetrayalEven in the face of betrayal, we can trust in God's sovereign plan. David's life demonstrates that God can work through even the most painful circumstances for His purposes. The Role of Repentance and ForgivenessThe account of Absalom and David underscores the need for repentance and forgiveness within families. Healing and restoration are possible when we turn to God. Bible Study Questions 1. What unresolved conflicts in your life might lead to larger issues if not addressed? How can you seek resolution in a biblical manner? 2. How can you guard against deception in your own heart and in your relationships with others? 3. In what ways can you cultivate discernment to better understand the intentions of those around you? 4. How can you find comfort in God's sovereignty when facing betrayal or difficult family dynamics? 5. What steps can you take towards repentance and forgiveness in your relationships, following the biblical model? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 37The account of Joseph and his brothers, highlighting themes of familial betrayal and jealousy, similar to Absalom's betrayal of David. Psalm 55David's lament over betrayal by a close friend, which can be seen as reflective of his feelings towards Absalom's rebellion. Matthew 10:36Jesus speaks of familial betrayal, which resonates with the conflict between David and Absalom. Proverbs 6:16-19Lists things the Lord hates, including a heart that devises wicked schemes, which relates to Absalom's actions. 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 Got, Hebron, Peace, Riseth, RoseDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Samuel 15:1-13 5937 rivalry 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 15:9 NIV2 Samuel 15:9 NLT2 Samuel 15:9 ESV2 Samuel 15:9 NASB2 Samuel 15:9 KJV
2 Samuel 15:9 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
