King James Version

What Does 2 Samuel 15:2 Mean?

2 Samuel 15:2 in the King James Version says “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...” — study this verse from 2 Samuel chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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. came: Heb. to come”

2 Samuel 15:2 · King James Version


Context

1

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

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. there: or, none will hear thee from the king downward

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!


Commentaries2 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
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.

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?

Compare 2 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.


Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 31 words
וְהִשְׁכִּים֙1 of 31

“rose up early”

H7925

literally, to load up (on the back of man or beast), i.e., to start early in the morning

אַבְשָׁל֤וֹם2 of 31

“And Absalom”

H53

abshalom, a son of david; also (the fuller form) a later israelite

וְעָמַ֕ד3 of 31

“and stood”

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

עַל4 of 31
H5921

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

יַ֖ד5 of 31

“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

דֶּ֣רֶךְ6 of 31

“the way”

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

הַשָּׁ֑עַר7 of 31

“of the gate”

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

וַיְהִ֡י8 of 31
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

כָּל9 of 31
H3605

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

הָאִ֣ישׁ10 of 31

“and it was so that when any man”

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)

אֲשֶֽׁר11 of 31
H834

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

יִֽהְיֶה12 of 31
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לּוֹ13 of 31
H0
רִיב֩14 of 31

“that had a controversy”

H7379

a contest (personal or legal)

לָב֨וֹא15 of 31

“came”

H935

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

אֶל16 of 31
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ17 of 31

“to the king”

H4428

a king

לַמִּשְׁפָּ֗ט18 of 31

“for judgment”

H4941

properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind

וַיִּקְרָ֨א19 of 31

“called”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

אַבְשָׁל֤וֹם20 of 31

“And Absalom”

H53

abshalom, a son of david; also (the fuller form) a later israelite

אֵלָיו֙21 of 31
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

וַיֹּ֕אמֶר22 of 31

“art thou And he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵֽי23 of 31

“Of what”

H335

where? hence how?

מִזֶּ֥ה24 of 31
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

עִיר֙25 of 31

“city”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

אַ֔תָּה26 of 31
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

וַיֹּ֕אמֶר27 of 31

“art thou And he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

מֵֽאַחַ֥ד28 of 31

“is of one”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

שִׁבְטֵֽי29 of 31

“of the tribes”

H7626

a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל30 of 31

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

עַבְדֶּֽךָ׃31 of 31

“Thy servant”

H5650

a servant


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 15:2 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 15:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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