History · Chapter 15 of 24

2 Samuel 15

Absalom spends years stealing the hearts of Israel by flattery at the city gate, then launches a revolt from Hebron. As the conspiracy spreads, David flees Jerusalem with his household and loyal followers to spare the city. He sends the ark back with Zadok, submitting to God's will, and dispatches his friend Hushai to counter the counsel of the traitor Ahithophel. Weeping, David ascends the Mount of Olives barefoot.

What happens in 2 Samuel 15

Absalom sets up chariots and runners, then stations himself at the gate, telling every petitioner their cause is good but unheard, and wishing he were judge to do them justice. By such flattery he steals the hearts of Israel. Under a religious pretext he goes to Hebron and has himself proclaimed king; even David's counselor Ahithophel joins him, and the conspiracy grows. Warned, David flees Jerusalem to spare it, leaving ten concubines to keep the house. His loyal guard and the Gittite Ittai, who refuses to turn back, go with him.

The priests bring the ark, but David sends it back, saying if he finds favor God will return him, and if not, let God do as he sees good. He crosses the brook Kidron toward the wilderness, weeping, head covered and feet bare, climbing the Mount of Olives. Learning Ahithophel has joined, David prays that his counsel be turned to foolishness and sends Hushai back as his informer.

2 Samuel 15 in context

This is the sword rising against David from his own house, as Nathan foretold. Absalom's revolt is a slow-built coup, exploiting real grievances about justice and David's neglected administration. David's flight retraces the vulnerability of his early years.

The route is striking: across the Kidron valley and up the Mount of Olives, the very path Jesus would later take. David's submission over the ark shows a faith that trusts God rather than treating the sacred object as a magic guarantee.

Main themes of 2 Samuel 15

2 Samuel 15 (KJV)

1And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him. 2And 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. 3And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee. 4Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice! 5And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him. 6And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel. 7And it came to pass after forty years, that Absalom said unto the king, I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto the LORD, in Hebron. 8For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the LORD shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD. 9And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron. 10But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron. 11And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing. 12And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counsellor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom. 13And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom. 14And David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not else escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword. 15And the king’s servants said unto the king, Behold, thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint. 16And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, which were concubines, to keep the house. 17And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off. 18And all his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men which came after him from Gath, passed on before the king. 19Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Wherefore goest thou also with us? return to thy place, and abide with the king: for thou art a stranger, and also an exile. 20Whereas thou camest but yesterday, should I this day make thee go up and down with us? seeing I go whither I may, return thou, and take back thy brethren: mercy and truth be with thee. 21And 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. 22And David said to Ittai, Go and pass over. And Ittai the Gittite passed over, and all his men, and all the little ones that were with him. 23And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness. 24And lo Zadok also, and all the Levites were with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God: and they set down the ark of God; and Abiathar went up, until all the people had done passing out of the city. 25And the king said unto Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city: if I shall find favour in the eyes of the LORD, he will bring me again, and shew me both it, and his habitation: 26But if he thus say, I have no delight in thee; behold, here am I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him. 27The king said also unto Zadok the priest, Art not thou a seer? return into the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz thy son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar. 28See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until there come word from you to certify me. 29Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem: and they tarried there. 30And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up. 31And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness. 32And it came to pass, that when David was come to the top of the mount, where he worshipped God, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat rent, and earth upon his head: 33Unto whom David said, If thou passest on with me, then thou shalt be a burden unto me: 34But if thou return to the city, and say unto Absalom, I will be thy servant, O king; as I have been thy father’s servant hitherto, so will I now also be thy servant: then mayest thou for me defeat the counsel of Ahithophel. 35And hast thou not there with thee Zadok and Abiathar the priests? therefore it shall be, that what thing soever thou shalt hear out of the king’s house, thou shalt tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests. 36Behold, they have there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz Zadok’s son, and Jonathan Abiathar’s son; and by them ye shall send unto me every thing that ye can hear. 37So Hushai David’s friend came into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem.

Verses to carry from 2 Samuel 15

“And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.”2 Samuel 15:6

“And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness.”2 Samuel 15:23

“But if he thus say, I have no delight in thee; behold, here am I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him.”2 Samuel 15:26

Reflection

David's darkest road, across Kidron and up the weeping mount, became the very path his greater Son would walk to redeem us. When you are betrayed or dispossessed, notice David's posture: not clutching at guarantees but praying, let God do as seems good. Trust in the dark is a costly, Christlike faith.

A prayer from 2 Samuel 15