2 Samuel

Focuses on King David's reign, his troubles, successes, and the promise of his dynasty.

Chapter 15

1 And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.

*After this, Absalom got chariots, horses, and 50 men to go ahead of him.

2 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.

*Early in the morning, Absalom stood near the entrance gate. When people with disputes went to the king for help, Absalom asked them which city they were from. They replied that they were from one of the tribes of Israel.

3 And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee.

*And Absalom told him, "Your work is fine and fair, but the king hasn't assigned anyone to listen to you."

4 Absalom 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!

*Absalom wished to be a judge so everyone with a problem could come to him, and he would fairly resolve their issues.

5 And 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.

*So whenever someone approached him to show respect, he would reach out, grab them, and kiss them.

6 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.

*In this way, Absalom won over the people's affection when they came to the king for judgment.

7 And 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.

*After forty years, Absalom asked the king for permission to go to Hebron to fulfill a promise he made to God.

8 For 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.

*My servant made a promise when living in Geshur, Syria. They said, "If the LORD returns me to Jerusalem, I will serve the LORD."

9 And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron.

*The king told him, "Go in peace." So, he got up and went to Hebron.

10 But 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.

*But Absalom used messengers to check all over Israel's groups, telling them, When you hear the trumpet noise, then say, "Absalom is king in Hebron."

11 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.

*Absalom took 200 men from Jerusalem who were called, and they went without knowing anything.

12 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.

*Absalom asked for Ahithophel, David's advisor, from his town, Giloh, while he was sacrificing. The plan grew stronger as more people joined Absalom.

13 And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.

*A messenger told David that the people's hearts were with Absalom.

14 And 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.

*David told everyone with him in Jerusalem, "Get up and let's leave quickly because we won't be able to escape from Absalom. Hurry up and go away so he doesn't surprise us, cause harm, and attack the city with his sword."

15 And the king’s servants said unto the king, Behold, thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint.

*The king's helpers told the king, "Look, your helpers are prepared to do whatever you, the king, want us to do."

16 And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, which were concubines, to keep the house.

*The king and his family went out, and he left behind ten women who were not his wives to take care of the home.

17 And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off.

*The king and his people left and stayed at a distant location.

18 And 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.

*All of the king's helpers walked past him. This group included 600 men from Gath - the Cherethites, Pelethites, and Gittites - who followed and went in front of the king.

19 Then 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.

*Then the king told Ittai, "Why are you coming with us? Go back to your home and stay with the king because you're not from here and you're an exile."

20 Whereas 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.

*Even though you just arrived today, do I now make you come and go with us? Since I'm going wherever I please, go back and bring your brothers. May mercy and truth be with you.

21 And 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.

*Ittai told the king, "I swear by both your life and God's life that wherever you are, whether alive or dead, I will be there too as your servant."

22 And 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.

*David told Ittai, "Go across," so Ittai and his men, along with the little ones with them, crossed over.

23 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.

*Everyone in the land cried out loudly, and everyone crossed the Kidron Brook. The king joined them, and they all went towards the desert's path.

24 And 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.

*And look, Zadok and all the Levites were there too, carrying God's special box. They put the box down and then Abiathar climbed up. This happened while everyone left the city.

25 And 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:

*The king told Zadok to take the sacred box back into the city. If God likes what he does, he will return Zadok and show them the box and God's home.

26 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.

*But if he says, "I don't enjoy being with you," then let him do whatever he wants with me.

27 The 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.

*The king asked Zadok the priest, "Aren't you a prophet?" Go back to the city safely, along with your two sons - Ahimaaz and Jonathan.

28 See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until there come word from you to certify me.

*I will wait in the open land until I hear your message to confirm it.

29 Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem: and they tarried there.

*Zadok and Abiathar brought the God's box back to Jerusalem and stayed there.

30 And 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.

*David climbed Mount Olivet's path, crying while he walked, with his head covered and no shoes on. Everyone with him also covered their heads, cried, and walked together.

31 And 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.

*Someone told David that Ahithophel was plotting with Absalom. David then asked God to make Ahithophel's plans seem silly.

32 And 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:

*One day, when David reached the top of the mountain where he prayed, he saw Hushai, an Archite, coming towards him. Hushai had torn his clothes and put dirt on his head as a sign of mourning.

33 Unto whom David said, If thou passest on with me, then thou shalt be a burden unto me:

*David told him, "If you come with me, you will be a burden to me."

34 But 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.

*But if you go back to the city and tell Absalom, "I will be your servant, King," just like I was your father's servant before, I will now also be your servant. Then, you can overcome Ahithophel's plan for me.

35 And 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.

*Do you not have Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, with you? So, whatever you hear from the king's house, you must tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests.

36 Behold, 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.

*Look, they have their two sons with them - Ahimaaz, son of Zadok, and Jonathan, son of Abiathar. Use them to send me any news you can find.

37 So Hushai David’s friend came into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem.

*Hushai, David's friend, entered the city, while Absalom arrived in Jerusalem.

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