2 Samuel 15:3
New International Version
Then Absalom would say to him, “Look, your claims are valid and proper, but there is no representative of the king to hear you.”

New Living Translation
Then Absalom would say, “You’ve really got a strong case here! It’s too bad the king doesn’t have anyone to hear it.

English Standard Version
Absalom would say to him, “See, your claims are good and right, but there is no man designated by the king to hear you.”

Berean Standard Bible
Absalom would say, “Look, your claims are good and right, but the king has no deputy to hear you.”

King James Bible
And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee.

New King James Version
Then Absalom would say to him, “Look, your case is good and right; but there is no deputy of the king to hear you.”

New American Standard Bible
Then Absalom would say to him, “See, your claims are good and right, but you have no one to listen to you on the part of the king.”

NASB 1995
Then Absalom would say to him, “See, your claims are good and right, but no man listens to you on the part of the king.”

NASB 1977
Then Absalom would say to him, “See, your claims are good and right, but no man listens to you on the part of the king.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Absalom would say to him, “See, your words are good and right, but no man listens to you on the part of the king.”

Amplified Bible
Then Absalom would say to him, “See, your claims are good and right, but there is no man appointed as the king’s agent to listen to you.”

Christian Standard Bible
Absalom said to him, “Look, your claims are good and right, but the king does not have anyone to listen to you.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Absalom said to him, “Look, your claims are good and right, but the king does not have anyone to listen to you.”

American Standard Version
And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee.

Contemporary English Version
Absalom would say, "You deserve to win your case. It's too bad the king doesn't have anyone to hear complaints like yours.

English Revised Version
And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Absalom would say, "Your case is good and proper, but the king hasn't appointed anyone to hear it."

Good News Translation
Absalom would say, "Look, the law is on your side, but there is no representative of the king to hear your case."

International Standard Version
Absalom would respond, "Look, your claims are valid and defensible, but nobody will listen to you on behalf of the king.

Majority Standard Bible
Absalom would say, ?Look, your claims are good and right, but the king has no deputy to hear you.?

NET Bible
Absalom would then say to him, "Look, your claims are legitimate and appropriate. But there is no representative of the king who will listen to you."

New Heart English Bible
then Absalom would say to him, "Look, your matters are good and right; but there is no one from the king to hear you."

Webster's Bible Translation
And Absalom said to him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed by the king to hear thee.

World English Bible
Absalom said to him, “Behold, your matters are good and right; but there is no man deputized by the king to hear you.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Absalom says to him, “See, your matters [are] good and straightforward—and there is none listening to you from the king.”

Young's Literal Translation
And Absalom saith unto him, 'See, thy matters are good and straightforward -- and there is none hearkening to thee from the king.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Absalom will say to him, See, thy words good and straight, and none to hear to thee from the king.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Absalom answered him: Thy words seem to me good and just. But there is no man appointed by the king to hear thee. And Absalom said:

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Absalom would answer him: “Your words seem good and just to me. But there is no one appointed by the king to hear you.” And Absalom would say:

New American Bible
Absalom would say to him, “Your case is good and just, but there is no one to hear you in the king’s name.”

New Revised Standard Version
Absalom would say, “See, your claims are good and right; but there is no one deputed by the king to hear you.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Absalom said to him, I see your arguments are good and just; but there is no man deputed by the king to hear you.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Abishlum says to him: “Behold, I see your words are good and right, and there is no one listening to you from the presence of the King”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Absalom said unto him: 'See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Abessalom said to him, See, thy affairs are right and clear, yet thou hast no one appointed of the king to hear thee.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Absalom's Conspiracy
2He would get up early and stand beside the road leading to the city gate. Whenever anyone had a grievance to bring before the king for a decision, Absalom would call out and ask, “What city are you from?” And if he replied, “Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel,” 3Absalom would say, “Look, your claims are good and right, but the king has no deputy to hear you.” 4And he would add, “If only someone would appoint me judge in the land, then everyone with a grievance or dispute could come to me, and I would give him justice.”…

Cross References
2 Samuel 14:1-20
Now Joab son of Zeruiah perceived that the king’s heart longed for Absalom. / So Joab sent to Tekoa to bring a wise woman from there. He told her, “Please pretend to be a mourner; put on clothes for mourning and do not anoint yourself with oil. Act like a woman who has mourned for the dead a long time. / Then go to the king and speak these words to him.” And Joab put the words in her mouth. ...

1 Kings 1:5-10
At that time Adonijah, David’s son by Haggith, began to exalt himself, saying, “I will be king!” And he acquired chariots and horsemen and fifty men to run ahead of him. / (His father had never once reprimanded him by saying, “Why do you act this way?” Adonijah was also very handsome, born next after Absalom.) / So Adonijah conferred with Joab son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest, who supported him. ...

1 Kings 12:1-20
Then Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had gone there to make him king. / When Jeroboam son of Nebat heard about this, he was still in Egypt where he had fled from King Solomon and had been living ever since. / So they sent for Jeroboam, and he and the whole assembly of Israel came to Rehoboam and said, ...

2 Samuel 16:15-23
Then Absalom and all the men of Israel came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel was with him. / And David’s friend Hushai the Archite went to Absalom and said to him, “Long live the king! Long live the king!” / “Is this the loyalty you show your friend?” Absalom replied. “Why did you not go with your friend?” ...

2 Samuel 18:5-18
Now the king had commanded Joab, Abishai, and Ittai, “Treat the young man Absalom gently for my sake.” And all the people heard the king’s orders to each of the commanders regarding Absalom. / So David’s army marched into the field to engage Israel, and the battle took place in the forest of Ephraim. / There the people of Israel were defeated by David’s servants, and the slaughter was great that day—twenty thousand men. ...

2 Samuel 19:9-15
And all the people throughout the tribes of Israel were arguing, “The king rescued us from the hand of our enemies and delivered us from the hand of the Philistines, but now he has fled the land because of Absalom. / But Absalom, the man we anointed over us, has died in battle. So why do you say nothing about restoring the king?” / Then King David sent this message to Zadok and Abiathar, the priests: “Say to the elders of Judah, ‘Why should you be the last to restore the king to his palace, since the talk of all Israel has reached the king at his quarters? ...

2 Samuel 20:1-2
Now a worthless man named Sheba son of Bichri, a Benjamite, happened to be there, and he blew the ram’s horn and shouted: “We have no share in David, no inheritance in Jesse’s son. Every man to his tent, O Israel!” / So all the men of Israel deserted David to follow Sheba son of Bichri. But the men of Judah stayed by their king all the way from the Jordan to Jerusalem.

1 Samuel 8:1-5
When Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons as judges over Israel. / The name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second was Abijah. They were judges in Beersheba. / But his sons did not walk in his ways; they turned aside toward dishonest gain, accepting bribes and perverting justice. ...

1 Samuel 10:19
But today you have rejected your God, who saves you from all your troubles and afflictions, and you have said to Him, ‘No, set a king over us.’ Now therefore present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes and clans.”

1 Samuel 12:12-13
But when you saw that Nahash king of the Ammonites was moving against you, you said to me, ‘No, we must have a king to rule over us’—even though the LORD your God was your king. / Now here is the king you have chosen, the one you requested. Behold, the LORD has placed a king over you.

1 Samuel 15:23
For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the wickedness of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king.”

1 Samuel 16:1-13
Now the LORD said to Samuel, “How long are you going to mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have selected from his sons a king for Myself.” / “How can I go?” Samuel asked. “Saul will hear of it and kill me!” The LORD answered, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’ / Then invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you are to do. You are to anoint for Me the one I indicate.” ...

1 Samuel 18:6-9
As the troops were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs, and with tambourines and other instruments. / And as the women danced, they sang out: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” / And Saul was furious and resented this song. “They have ascribed tens of thousands to David,” he said, “but only thousands to me. What more can he have but the kingdom?” ...

1 Samuel 24:20-21
Now I know for sure that you will be king and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hands. / So now, swear to me by the LORD that you will not cut off my descendants or wipe out my name from my father’s house.”

1 Samuel 25:30
When the LORD has done for my lord all the good He promised, and when He has appointed you ruler over Israel,


Treasury of Scripture

And Absalom said to him, See, your matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear you.

thy matters

Numbers 16:3,13,14
And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD? …

Psalm 12:2
They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.

Daniel 11:21
And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries.

there is, etc.

2 Samuel 8:15
And David reigned over all Israel; and David executed judgment and justice unto all his people.

Exodus 20:12
Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

Exodus 21:17
And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.

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Absalom Ab'salom Appointed Cause Claims Good Hear Hearing Hearkening Listens Matters Part Proper Representative Right Straightforward True. Valid
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2 Samuel 15
1. Absalom, by fair speeches and courtesies, steals the hearts of Israel.
7. By pretense of a vow, he obtains leave to go to Hebron
10. He makes there a great conspiracy
13. David upon the news flees from Jerusalem
19. Ittai will leave him
24. Zadok and Abiathar are sent back with the ark
30. David and his company go up mount Olivet weeping,
31. He curses Ahithophel's counsel
32. Hushai is sent back with instructions














Then Absalom would say to him
This phrase introduces us to Absalom, the son of King David, who is engaging with the people of Israel. The Hebrew root for "say" is "אָמַר" (amar), which often implies not just speaking but conveying a message with intent. Absalom's words are strategic, as he seeks to win the hearts of the Israelites. Historically, Absalom is known for his charm and charisma, which he uses to manipulate and gain favor among the people. This reflects a deeper theme of the dangers of ambition and the misuse of influence.

Look, your claims are good and right
Here, Absalom acknowledges the grievances of the people. The Hebrew word for "claims" is "דְּבָרִים" (devarim), meaning words or matters. By affirming that their claims are "good and right," Absalom is positioning himself as a sympathetic and just figure. This phrase highlights the importance of justice and the perception of fairness in leadership. In a historical context, this reflects the societal need for accessible justice, which Absalom exploits to undermine his father, King David.

but the king has no deputy to hear you
Absalom points out a perceived flaw in King David's administration. The term "deputy" in Hebrew is "שֹׁמֵעַ" (shomea), meaning one who listens or hears. Absalom suggests that there is a lack of accessibility to the king, implying that the people's needs are not being met. This statement is a strategic move to sow discontent and present himself as a solution. It underscores the biblical principle that leaders must be attentive and responsive to their people's needs. Historically, this reflects the political maneuvering that often occurs in monarchies, where rivals seek to exploit any perceived weaknesses in leadership.

(3) There is no man deputed of the king.--There is no official hearer appointed. It was impossible for the king to hear every case in detail; certain persons were therefore appointed to hear causes and report the facts to the king, who thereupon pronounced his judgment. Absalom uses the same arts which have been used by the demagogue in all ages. He does not accuse the king himself of wrong, but insinuates that the system of government is detective, and expresses his own earnest wish to set things right.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Absalom
אַבְשָׁל֔וֹם (’aḇ·šā·lō·wm)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 53: Absalom -- 'my father is peace', two Israelites

would say,
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Look,
רְאֵ֥ה (rə·’êh)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 7200: To see

your claims
דְבָרֶ֖ךָ (ḏə·ḇā·re·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

are good
טוֹבִ֣ים (ṭō·w·ḇîm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good

and right,
וּנְכֹחִ֑ים (ū·nə·ḵō·ḥîm)
Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 5228: Straightforward, equitable, correct, integrity

but the king
הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

[has] no deputy
אֵין־ (’ên-)
Adverb
Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle

to hear
וְשֹׁמֵ֥עַ (wə·šō·mê·a‘)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

you.”
לְךָ֖ (lə·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew


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OT History: 2 Samuel 15:3 Absalom said to him Behold your matters (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
2 Samuel 15:2
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