2 Samuel 15 explained: Absalom Takes the Throne

Absalom wins hearts (vv. 1-6)

People brought disputes to the king early in the morning at the city gate, so Absalom waited there with his chariot and runners, told each one their case was good, and complained that the king had no one to hear them. When people bowed, he embraced and kissed them like equals, and the text bluntly says he stole their hearts.

The plot at Hebron (vv. 7-12)

Claiming he had a religious vow to keep, Absalom went to Hebron, his birthplace and the city where David first ruled, and arranged for trumpets to announce him as king. Two hundred guests came along without knowing the plan, and David's own trusted adviser, Ahithophel, joined the plot.

David leaves Jerusalem (vv. 13-18)

Rather than be trapped and see the city attacked, David left at once with his household, leaving ten concubines (secondary wives) to look after the palace. The Kerethites, Pelethites and Gittites were foreign soldiers in his personal guard, and the Gittites came from the Philistine city of Gath.

Ittai refuses to leave (vv. 19-23)

David urged Ittai, a foreign newcomer, to go back rather than share an uncertain exile, but Ittai swore to stay with him in life or death. A foreigner stays loyal while David's own son turns on him, and the whole countryside weeps as the king crosses the Kidron Valley east of the city.

The ark sent back (vv. 24-29)

The priests brought the ark, the sacred chest that stood for God's presence with Israel, but David sent it back and said God would either bring him home or not. He also had the priests and their sons stay in the city so they could send him news.

Weeping on the Mount of Olives (vv. 30-37)

David climbed the hill barefoot with his head covered, both signs of grief, and prayed that Ahithophel's advice would fail. He then sent his friend Hushai back to pretend loyalty to Absalom and secretly undermine him, and Christians have long noted that Jesus also crossed the Kidron to the Mount of Olives on the night a close friend betrayed him.

Key verse: 2 Samuel 15:6

Where Christians differ

Christians differ in emphasis on whether David here is mainly a model of humble trust in God or mainly a king living out the consequences of his own earlier wrongs and failures as a father.

Something to think about

When someone tells you exactly what you want to hear, what helps you tell real care from flattery?