King James Version

What Does 2 Samuel 15:18 Mean?

2 Samuel 15:18 in the King James Version says “And all his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hu... — study this verse from 2 Samuel chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

2 Samuel 15:18 · KJV


Context

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. after: Heb. at his feet

17

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

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.

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.

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. go up: Heb. wander in going


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

This verse contributes to the narrative of Absalom's Rebellion, emphasizing betrayal, trusting God in exile. Absalom's conspiracy demonstrates calculating betrayal and political manipulation. David's flight from Jerusalem parallels later exile experiences, developing themes of trusting God during devastating reversals. The Hebrew emphasizes Absalom's patient, methodical undermining of David's authority. Cross-references to Psalms written during this period (Psalms 3, 63) reveal David's spiritual responses to political catastrophe.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The historical setting of 2 Samuel 15 occurs during David's reign (circa 1010-970 BCE) over Israel's united monarchy. Archaeological discoveries, including the Tel Dan inscription mentioning the 'House of David,' corroborate biblical historicity. Ancient Near Eastern customs regarding betrayal, trusting God in exile provide crucial background. The geopolitical situation involved regional powers—Philistines, Ammonites, Arameans, Moabites, Edomites—as David consolidated and expanded Israel's territory. Cultural practices concerning kingship, warfare, covenant relationships, family dynamics, and religious observance differed significantly from modern Western contexts, requiring careful attention to avoid anachronistic interpretation while extracting timeless theological principles applicable across cultures and eras.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage deepen your understanding of betrayal, trusting God in exile?
  2. What does this verse reveal about God's character, and how should that shape your worship and obedience?
  3. In what specific ways can you apply this truth to your current circumstances and relationships this week?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וְכָל1 of 22
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

עֲבָדָיו֙2 of 22

And all his servants

H5650

a servant

עֹֽבְרִ֖ים3 of 22

passed on

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

עַל4 of 22
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

יָד֔וֹ5 of 22

beside

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

וְכָל6 of 22
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַכְּרֵתִ֖י7 of 22

him and all the Cherethites

H3774

a kerethite or life-guardsman

וְכָל8 of 22
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַפְּלֵתִ֑י9 of 22

and all the Pelethites

H6432

a courier (collectively) or official messenger

וְכָֽל10 of 22
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַגִּתִּ֞ים11 of 22

and all the Gittites

H1663

a gittite or inhabitant of gath

שֵׁשׁ12 of 22

six

H8337

six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth

מֵא֣וֹת13 of 22

hundred

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

אִ֗ישׁ14 of 22

men

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אֲשֶׁר15 of 22
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

בָּ֤אוּ16 of 22

which came

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

בְרַגְלוֹ֙17 of 22

after

H7272

a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda

מִגַּ֔ת18 of 22

him from Gath

H1661

gath, a philistine city

עֹֽבְרִ֖ים19 of 22

passed on

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

עַל20 of 22
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

פְּנֵ֥י21 of 22

before

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃22 of 22

the king

H4428

a king


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Samuel 15:18 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Samuel 15:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study