What does 2 Samuel 15:17 mean?
ESV: And the king went out, and all the people after him. And they halted at the last house.
NIV: So the king set out, with all the people following him, and they halted at the edge of the city.
NASB: The king left, and all the people with him, and they stopped at the last house.
CSB: So the king set out, and all the people followed him. They stopped at the last house
NLT: The king and all his people set out on foot, pausing at the last house
KJV: And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off.
NKJV: And the king went out with all the people after him, and stopped at the outskirts.
Verse Commentary:
David and his remaining loyal servants are fleeing Jerusalem with their families. Absalom is coming with the support of many in Israel to take the throne from David. Everyone knows that to truly rule as king without threat of an uprising, Absalom will have to kill David and all those loyal to him. David has ordered them all to get as far from Jerusalem as possible before Absalom arrives (2 Samuel 15:14).
They stop at the last house on the way out of town and reorganize the growing number of refugees before they pass through the gate of the city and head toward the wilderness.
As they do, David has the chance to find out who is truly loyal to him. Besides his servants, the first group includes three units of Philistine soldiers. The Cherethites and Pelethites are his personal guard. The Gittites are hired mercenaries who have only recently come into his employ. When David urges Ittai, their leader, to stay and serve Absalom, he refuses. He swears by God that he will fight to the death for his king (2 Samuel 15:18–22). David rewards him by placing him in charge of a third of the army (2 Samuel 18:2).
Next are the priests and keepers of the ark of the covenant, Abiathar and Zadok, with their sons. The priests bring the ark, fully intending to follow David wherever he goes. David's understanding is higher than theirs. He knows Absalom's rebellion is punishment for his own sin against Uriah (2 Samuel 12:11). He will not use the ark as some kind of talisman that can manipulate God. And the priests are much more useful as spies (2 Samuel 15:24–29).
Sadly, David learns that his trusted advisor Ahithophel has aligned with Absalom. God replaces him, however, with David's friend Hushai. David also sends Hushai back, in hopes he can spoil Ahithophel's counsel. He does and, with the help of the priests and their sons, saves David and his people (2 Samuel 17:5–21).
David has lost much, however. Most of the army stays with Absalom (2 Samuel 17:25). The elders of Judah have betrayed David (2 Samuel 19:11–12). But Joab and his brother Abishai remain faithful (2 Samuel 18:2). And Mephibosheth, Jonathan's son, will be inconsolable until he sees David return safely (2 Samuel 19:24)
Verse Context:
Second Samuel 15:13–17 describes David gathering his household to flee Jerusalem. As part of God's curse for sinning against Uriah, David's son Absalom has declared himself king and is marching with his followers to Jerusalem. David would rather run than risk the safety of the city. He leaves ten concubines to care for his house. As he flees, he meets a loyal Philistine and priests willing to spy for him (2 Samuel 15:18–37). As a display of dominance over his father and authority over his father's kingdom, Absalom will publicly have sex with the concubines David leaves (2 Samuel 16:20–22).
Chapter Summary:
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.
Chapter Context:
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).
Book Summary:
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.
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