📖 2 Samuel — Chapter 15 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
2 Samuel 15:1 And it came to pass after this, that RAbsalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.
2 Samuel 15:2 And Absalom Rrose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy Tcame 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.
2 Samuel 15:3 And Absalom said unto him, See, Rthy matters are good and right; but Tthere is no man deputed of the king to hear thee.
2 Samuel 15:4 Absalom said moreover, ROh 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!
2 Samuel 15:5 And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and Rtook him, and kissed him.
2 Samuel 15:6 And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom Rstole the hearts of the men of Israel.
2 Samuel 15:7 And it came to pass after Rforty 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.
2 Samuel 15:8 For Rthy 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 And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron.
2 Samuel 15:10 But Absalom sent Rspies 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.
2 Samuel 15:11 And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were Rcalled; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing.
2 Samuel 15:12 And Absalom sent for RAhithophel 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.
2 Samuel 15:13 And there came a messenger to David, saying, RThe hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.
2 Samuel 15:14 And David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, RArise, and let us flee; for we shall not else escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and Tbring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword.
2 Samuel 15:15 And the king’s servants said unto the king, RBehold, thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall Tappoint.
2 Samuel 15:16 And the king went forth, and all his household RTafter him. And the king left ten women, which were concubines, to keep the house.
2 Samuel 15:17 And the king Rwent forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off.
2 Samuel 15:18 And all his servants passed on beside him; and all the RCherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men which came after him from Gath, passed on before the king.
2 Samuel 15:19 Then said the king to RIttai 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.
2 Samuel 15:20 Whereas thou camest but yesterday, should I this day make thee RTgo up and down with us? seeing I go whither I may, return thou, and take back thy brethren: mercy and truth be with thee.
2 Samuel 15:21 And Ittai answered the king, and said, RAs 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.
2 Samuel 15:22 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.
2 Samuel 15:23 And Rall the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook TKidron, and all the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness.
2 Samuel 15:24 And lo RZadok 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 And the king said unto Zadok, RCarry 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:
2 Samuel 15:26 But if he thus say, I have no delight in thee; behold, here am I, Rlet him do to me as seemeth good unto him.
2 Samuel 15:27 The king said also unto Zadok the priest, Art not thou Ra seer? return into the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz thy son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar.
2 Samuel 15:28 See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until there come word from you to certify me.
2 Samuel 15:29 Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem: and they tarried there.
2 Samuel 15:30 And David went up by Rthe ascent of mount Olivet, Tand 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.
2 Samuel 15:31 And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, RO LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.
2 Samuel 15:32 And it came to pass, that when David was come to Rthe 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 Unto whom David said, If thou passest on with me, Rthen thou shalt be a burden unto me:
2 Samuel 15:34 But if thou Rreturn 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.
2 Samuel 15:35 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, Rthou shalt tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests.
2 Samuel 15:36 Behold, they have there with them Rtheir 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.
2 Samuel 15:37 So Hushai David’s Rfriend came into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
2 Samuel 15:1–12 — Absalom builds a conspiracy
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Absalom cultivates public admiration, questions the king’s justice, and promises better treatment. He uses a claimed vow to gain permission to go to Hebron, where he announces his reign through spies. Two hundred invited men initially know nothing of the scheme, while Ahithophel joins it. Friendly gestures and religious language conceal an effort to seize power.
Key Truth: Popularity and warm words do not prove honest motives.
Check What You Remember
1. How many men ran before Absalom? (2 Samuel 15:1)
Find it in 2 Samuel 15:1 (KJV).
2. Where did he go under the stated purpose of paying a vow? (2 Samuel 15:7)
Find it in 2 Samuel 15:7 (KJV).
3. Which counsellor joined the conspiracy? (2 Samuel 15:12)
Find it in 2 Samuel 15:12 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
2 Samuel 15:13–23 — David leaves and Ittai remains loyal
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
David orders a departure from Jerusalem to avoid being overtaken and the city attacked. Ittai, though a recent arrival and foreigner, chooses to stay with David in life or death. Families and soldiers cross Kidron in tears. The passage contrasts a son’s betrayal with a stranger’s steadfast commitment.
Key Truth: Faithfulness is shown by choices under pressure.
Check What You Remember
1. Whom were the people’s hearts following? (2 Samuel 15:13)
Find it in 2 Samuel 15:13 (KJV).
2. Which Gittite pledged to remain with David? (2 Samuel 15:21)
Find it in 2 Samuel 15:21 (KJV).
3. Which brook did David cross? (2 Samuel 15:23)
Find it in 2 Samuel 15:23 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
2 Samuel 15:24–37 — Prayer and practical preparation
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
David sends the ark back to Jerusalem and submits his future to the LORD. He ascends Olivet weeping, prays against Ahithophel’s counsel, and sends Hushai back to oppose it through a network involving priests and messengers. Prayer accompanies careful action; David does not treat the ark as an object that guarantees his safety.
Key Truth: Depend on God while taking responsible steps in a crisis.
Check What You Remember
1. Who carried the ark back with Abiathar? (2 Samuel 15:29)
Find it in 2 Samuel 15:29 (KJV).
2. Whose counsel did David ask God to turn to foolishness? (2 Samuel 15:31)
Find it in 2 Samuel 15:31 (KJV).
3. Which friend returned to the city to help David? (2 Samuel 15:37)
Find it in 2 Samuel 15:37 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Psalms 3:3 — This psalm, associated with David’s flight from Absalom, expresses trust in the LORD.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
When trust is broken, how can you combine honest grief, prayer, and responsible action? Think of one loyalty you should honor without seeking praise.
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. How does Absalom win people’s loyalty through the disputes at the gate?
2. What contrast appears between the declared purpose of the Hebron journey and its use?
3. How does Ittai answer David’s permission to turn back?
4. Why does David tell Zadok to carry the ark back?
5. How is Hushai’s return intended to assist David?
Notes
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