2 Samuel 15:12 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And while Absalom was offering the sacrifices, he sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David 's counselor, from his city Giloh. And the conspiracy grew strong, and the people with Absalom kept increasing.

NIV: While Absalom was offering sacrifices, he also sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, to come from Giloh, his hometown. And so the conspiracy gained strength, and Absalom’s following kept on increasing.

NASB: And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, from his city Giloh, while he was offering the sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong, for the people continually increased with Absalom.

CSB: While he was offering the sacrifices, Absalom sent for David’s adviser Ahithophel the Gilonite, from his city of Giloh. So the conspiracy grew strong, and the people supporting Absalom continued to increase.

NLT: While Absalom was offering the sacrifices, he sent for Ahithophel, one of David’s counselors who lived in Giloh. Soon many others also joined Absalom, and the conspiracy gained momentum.

KJV: And 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.

NKJV: Then Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, from his city—from Giloh—while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy grew strong, for the people with Absalom continually increased in number.

Many years of careful planning and support-gathering went into staging Absalom's coup. He has quietly gained a pledge of support for his kingship from many influential people throughout Israel, while others remain completely in the dark (2 Samuel 15:11).

Absalom can't begin his coup in Jerusalem. David's hold on the city is strong (2 Samuel 5:7). He's told his father he needs to go to Hebron, to offer sacrifices to fulfill a vow (2 Samuel 15:7–8). In truth, the sacrifices are for his coronation (1 Samuel 11:14–15; 1 Kings 1:9–11). Hebron is where David was first made king (2 Samuel 2:4). But it's also Absalom's birthplace (2 Samuel 3:2–3), which might explain how Absalom won over Judah's elders (2 Samuel 19:11).

Now we learn that David's counselor, Ahithophel, is part of Absalom's conspiracy. Ahithophel, who may have been Bathsheba's grandfather, was deeply respected for his great wisdom and counsel by both David and Absalom (2 Samuel 16:23). When David learns Absalom has won Ahithophel over to his side, David leaves two priests, their sons, and Hushai, a trusted friend, to spy on Absalom and his new counselor. Ahithophel convinces Absalom to have sex with the concubines David leaves to care for his house. This is a show of dominance over the "former" king (2 Samuel 16:20–23).

But Hushai manages to deflect Ahithophel's military advice, convincing Absalom not to attack while David and his people are vulnerable. Hushai is even able to send David a warning through the priests. When Ahithophel realizes Absalom is leaning on Hushai's counsel, and not his own, he kills himself (2 Samuel 17:1–23).

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).

Second Samuel continues the story of David, who will become king over Judah. The other tribes of Israel are resistant, eventually sparking a civil war. David wins and makes Jerusalem his capital. Early success is followed by moral failure and controversy in David's house. The book of 1 Kings will begin by detailing David's decline and death.