The big picture
2 Samuel 15 opens in verse 1 with “And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 19 with “Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Wherefore goest thou also with us? return to…”, and closes in verse 37 with “So Hushai David’s friend came into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem.” Repeated or prominent terms include king, Absalom, LORD, city, David. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
2 Samuel · King James Version · 372 Samuel 15:1-8
1–8: It came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and…
2 Samuel 15:1–8 opens with “And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to…” and reaches “For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the LORD shall bring me…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on 2 Samuel 15 develops its own movement around king, Absalom, LORD, city, David, with particular weight carried by Absalom, king, Israel.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.
“And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee.” Naming Absalom and See keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“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…” The line’s distinctive content terms include hand, kissed, nigh. Its relationship to verses 4 and 6 shows what work it does in this passage.
2 Samuel 15:1-8
King James Version1And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.
2And 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.
3And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee.
4Absalom 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!
5And 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.
6And 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.
7And 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.
8For 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 .
2 Samuel 15:9-16
9–16: The king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron.
2 Samuel 15:9–16 opens with “And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron.” and reaches “And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, which…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on 2 Samuel 15 develops its own movement around king, Absalom, LORD, city, David, with particular weight carried by Absalom, king, servants.
Context that brings the passage to life
“And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron.” Naming Hebron keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were called; and they went in their simplicity, and they…” The number two makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.
“And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.” Naming Absalom and David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
2 Samuel 15:9-16
King James Version9And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron.
10But 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.
11And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing.
12And 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.
13And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.
14And 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.
15And the king’s servants said unto the king, Behold, thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint.
16And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, which were concubines, to keep the house.
2 Samuel 15:17-24
17–24: The king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a…
2 Samuel 15:17–24 opens with “And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off.” and reaches “And lo Zadok also, and all the Levites were with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on 2 Samuel 15 develops its own movement around king, Absalom, LORD, city, David, with particular weight carried by king, passed, Ittai.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 2 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off.” The line’s distinctive content terms include king, people, place. Its relationship to verses 18 shows what work it does in this passage.
“Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Wherefore goest thou also with us? return to thy place, and abide with the…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.
“And Ittai answered the king, and said, As the LORD liveth, and as my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
2 Samuel 15:17-24
King James Version17And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off.
18And 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.
19Then 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.
20Whereas 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.
21And 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.
22And 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.
23And 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.
24And 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.
2 Samuel 15:25-32
25–32: The king said unto Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city: if I…
2 Samuel 15:25–32 opens with “And the king said unto Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city: if I shall find favour in…” and reaches “And it came to pass, that when David was come to the top of the mount, where he worshipped God…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on 2 Samuel 15 develops its own movement around king, Absalom, LORD, city, David, with particular weight carried by David, head, Zadok.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“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…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
“The king said also unto Zadok the priest, Art not thou a seer? return into the city in peace, and your two sons with…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.
2 Samuel 15:25-32
King James Version25And 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:
26But if he thus say, I have no delight in thee; behold, here am I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him.
27The 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.
28See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until there come word from you to certify me.
29Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem: and they tarried there.
30And 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.
31And 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.
32And 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:
2 Samuel 15:33-37
33–37: Unto whom David said, If thou passest on with me, then thou shalt be a…
2 Samuel 15:33–37 opens with “Unto whom David said, If thou passest on with me, then thou shalt be a burden unto me:” and reaches “So Hushai David’s friend came into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on 2 Samuel 15 develops its own movement around king, Absalom, LORD, city, David, with particular weight carried by servant, Abiathar, Absalom.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“Unto whom David said, If thou passest on with me, then thou shalt be a burden unto me:” Naming David and Unto keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
2 Samuel 15:33-37
King James Version33Unto whom David said, If thou passest on with me, then thou shalt be a burden unto me:
34But 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.
35And 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.
36Behold, 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.
37So Hushai David’s friend came into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
2 Samuel 15:1 begins with “And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.”
Where the chapter turns
2 Samuel 15:19 forms a natural hinge: “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…”
The final note
2 Samuel 15:37 leaves the reader with “So Hushai David’s friend came into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words king, Absalom, LORD, city, David, passed help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
What is Abram invited to trust?
God's promise of an heir and innumerable descendants despite his present childlessness.
Why does the delay matter?
The covenant is larger than one lifetime and includes suffering before deliverance.
KJV words made clear
- behold
- look, or pay close attention
- unto
- to
- thee
- you
- thou
- you
- thy
- your
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.