2 Samuel 15:2 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And Absalom used to rise early and stand beside the way of the gate. And when any man had a dispute to come before the king for judgment, Absalom would call to him and say, "From what city are you?" And when he said, "Your servant is of such and such a tribe in Israel,"

NIV: He would get up early and stand by the side of the road leading to the city gate. Whenever anyone came with a complaint to be placed before the king for a decision, Absalom would call out to him, "What town are you from?" He would answer, "Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel."

NASB: And Absalom used to rise early and stand beside the road to the gate; and when any man who had a lawsuit was to come before the king for judgment, Absalom would call out to him and say, 'From what city are you?' And he would say, 'Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel.'

CSB: He would get up early and stand beside the road leading to the city gate. Whenever anyone had a grievance to bring before the king for settlement, Absalom called out to him and asked, "What city are you from?" If he replied, "Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel,"

NLT: He got up early every morning and went out to the gate of the city. When people brought a case to the king for judgment, Absalom would ask where in Israel they were from, and they would tell him their tribe.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: Now Absalom would rise early and stand beside the way to the gate. So it was, whenever anyone who had a lawsuit came to the king for a decision, that Absalom would call to him and say, “What city are you from?” And he would say, “Your servant is from such and such a tribe of Israel.”

Absalom spent two years carefully planning his revenge against Amnon (2 Samuel 13:23), three years waiting for the heat to die from his murder investigation (2 Samuel 13:37–38), and another two years living quietly in Jerusalem before his father agreed to reconcile (2 Samuel 14:28). Absalom is patient and strategic, and he knows now is the time to act.

Restored to his father's good graces, Absalom takes advantage of his position as prince to ride around in a chariot with a guard of fifty men (2 Samuel 15:1). He sits at the city gates where people come to conduct business and legal affairs. As they enter, Absalom intercepts them. He convinces them David doesn't care about their little towns or their concerns, which is a lie (2 Samuel 8:15). He also claims that if he were king, he would give justice to everyone who deserves it (2 Samuel 15:3–4).

Absalom doesn't stop there. When a petitioner reaches out to pay him respect, Absalom again takes control of the narrative: takin the part of the submissive party and offering a kiss. The Israelites see Absalom as a humble, beautiful (2 Samuel 14:25), caring prince eager to promote justice and honor (2 Samuel 15:3–6). They see David as a king who doesn't have time for his people. Before long, Absalom has enough followers to help him take the crown.

The "way" of the gate or "beside the road to the gate" (NASB) is a space set aside next to the city entrance where elders and judges could hear petitions. Boaz went there to speak with Naomi's closer relative about Ruth (Ruth 4:1). Absalom isn't at the gate to David's residence, where royal court officials would be. Nor does he wait until the city elders have arrived. He goes early and controls the narrative of the men who come as soon as the gate is opened.

Second Samuel 15:1–6 explains how David's son, Absalom, wins enough support to overthrow his father (2 Samuel 15:7–17). He makes the most of his newly restored honor after literal and relational exile for five years after murdering his brother. Finally reconciled to David, Absalom assumes the role of crowned prince and champion of the people. He flatters the common people as he tells them his father won't hear their petitions. After four years, Absalom will be ready to make a direct move.

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).