2 Samuel 15:11 - Printer Friendly

ESV: With Absalom went two hundred men from Jerusalem who were invited guests, and they went in their innocence and knew nothing.

NIV: Two hundred men from Jerusalem had accompanied Absalom. They had been invited as guests and went quite innocently, knowing nothing about the matter.

NASB: Then two hundred men went with Absalom from Jerusalem, who were invited and went innocently, for they did not know anything.

CSB: Two hundred men from Jerusalem went with Absalom. They had been invited and were going innocently, for they did not know the whole situation.

NLT: He took 200 men from Jerusalem with him as guests, but they knew nothing of his intentions.

KJV: And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing.

NKJV: And with Absalom went two hundred men invited from Jerusalem, and they went along innocently and did not know anything.

Absalom has spent four years manipulating the people of Israel. He drives a chariot behind fifty running men to the city gates where he meets men from around the nation who have come with serious legal issues only David can solve. Before they can get too far, Absalom intercepts them and asks their story. He explains that David could help them but refuses to. And that he, Absalom, would help them, if only he had the authority. Then, Absalom, the royal prince, humbles himself and shows them honor. The travelers walk away resentful of David, impressed with Absalom, and no better off legally (2 Samuel 15:1–6).

Some of these men are convinced that David is no longer a good king, and Absalom would lead the nation better. They know Absalom is planning a coup. They wait until he goes to Hebron, a significant city in Judah and his birthplace (2 Samuel 3:2–3), and sends the signal. Once they hear the rams' horns, they announce, "Absalom is king at Hebron!" (2 Samuel 15:10).

Absalom can't start his coup in Jerusalem. It's truly David's city (2 Samuel 5:7). He must amass his people outside the city and march in. He tells David he needs to go to Hebron to fulfill a vow to God. Somehow, he convinces two hundred men from Jerusalem to accompany him. Once the movement begins, these men accompany him and his co-conspirators back into Jerusalem.

That these men know nothing about Absalom's plan to overthrow David reveals three things. First, Absalom's network effectively kept the secret of his plan to take the throne by force. Second, perhaps Absalom knew that these men would have protected David from attack if they had remained in Jerusalem. By bringing them with him to Hebron, they leave David with less support in the capital city. Further, Absalom must know David doesn't want to fight his own people if he can at all avoid it. When Absalom marches in, David gathers his household and those loyal to him and flees the city (2 Samuel 15:13–23).

In Second Samuel 15:7–12, David's son prepares treason. Absalom has been manipulating visitors to Jerusalem for four years. He claims David won't give them justice, but Absalom would if he had the authority. Absalom goes to Hebron, where David was crowned king of Judah (2 Samuel 2:4), and calls on his supporters to declare him king. Afraid of a battle in Jerusalem, David gathers his household and staff and flees the city. Along the way, David discovers who his friends are (2 Samuel 15:13–37).

God's curses against David continue (2 Samuel 12:10–12). David's son Absalom stages a coup. His followers declare him king and escort him to Jerusalem. David and those faithful to him flee the city for the wilderness. He leaves behind two priests, their sons, and an advisor to thwart Absalom's plans. As he travels, David willingly endures every humiliation, not knowing which are from God. Joab kills Absalom, and the kingdom is restored (2 Samuel 16—18). Absalom's betrayal is not recorded in 1 Chronicles.

Second Samuel 15 continues the fulfillment of God's curse on David. As he betrayed his friend Uriah, so someone from David's house will betray him (2 Samuel 12:11). David's son Absalom steals the people's hearts and declares himself king. David and his household flee the city, leaving behind ten concubines and five spies. The spies protect David until Joab can kill Absalom in battle. David is humbled and forgives his enemies (2 Samuel 16—19).