Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version And Absalom would add, “If only I were appointed judge in the land! Then everyone who has a complaint or case could come to me and I would see that they receive justice.” New Living Translation I wish I were the judge. Then everyone could bring their cases to me for judgment, and I would give them justice!” English Standard Version Then Absalom would say, “Oh that I were judge in the land! Then every man with a dispute or cause might come to me, and I would give him justice.” Berean Standard Bible And 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.” King James Bible 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! New King James Version Moreover Absalom would say, “Oh, that I were made judge in the land, and everyone who has any suit or cause would come to me; then I would give him justice.” New American Standard Bible Moreover, Absalom would say, “Oh that someone would appoint me judge in the land, then every man who has a lawsuit or claim could come to me, and I would give him justice!” NASB 1995 Moreover, Absalom would say, “Oh that one would appoint me judge in the land, then every man who has any suit or cause could come to me and I would give him justice.” NASB 1977 Moreover, Absalom would say, “Oh that one would appoint me judge in the land, then every man who has any suit or cause could come to me, and I would give him justice.” Legacy Standard Bible Then Absalom would say, “Oh that one would appoint me judge in the land, then every man who has any case or judgment could come to me and I would justify him.” Amplified Bible Moreover Absalom would say, “Oh, that I were appointed judge in the land! Then every man who had a dispute could come to me and I would get justice for him.” Christian Standard Bible He added, “If only someone would appoint me judge in the land. Then anyone who had a grievance or dispute could come to me, and I would make sure he received justice.” Holman Christian Standard Bible He added, “If only someone would appoint me judge in the land. Then anyone who had a grievance or dispute could come to me, and I would make sure he received justice.” American Standard Version Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man who hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice! Contemporary English Version I wish someone would make me the judge around here! I would be fair to everyone." English Revised Version 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! GOD'S WORD® Translation He would add, "I wish someone would make me judge in the land. Then anyone who had a case to be tried could come to me, and I would make sure that he got justice." Good News Translation And he would add, "How I wish I were a judge! Then anyone who had a dispute or a claim could come to me, and I would give him justice." International Standard Version Who will appoint me to be a judge in the land? When anyone arrived to file a legal complaint or other cause, he could approach me for justice and I would settle it!" NET Bible Absalom would then say, "If only they would make me a judge in the land! Then everyone who had a judicial complaint could come to me and I would make sure he receives a just settlement." New Heart English Bible And Absalom would say, "Oh that I were made judge in the land, then anyone who had a dispute could come to me, and I would give him justice." Webster's Bible Translation Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man who hath any suit or cause might come to me, and I would do him justice! Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAnd 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.” World English Bible Absalom said moreover, “Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man who has any suit or cause might come to me, and I would do him justice!” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd Absalom says, “Who makes me judge in the land, that every man who has a plea and judgment comes to me? Then I have declared him righteous.” Young's Literal Translation And Absalom saith, 'Who doth make me a judge in the land, that unto me doth come every man who hath a plea and judgment? -- then I have declared him righteous.' Smith's Literal Translation And Absalom will say, Who will set me judge in the land? and to me shall every man come which shall be to him strife and judgment, and I did him justice. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleO that they would make me judge over the land, that all that have business might come to me, that I might do them justice. Catholic Public Domain Version “Who may appoint me judge over the land, so that all those who have a dispute might come to me, and I might judge justly.” New American Bible And he would continue: “If only I could be appointed judge in the land! Then everyone who has a lawsuit to be decided might come to me and I would render him justice.” New Revised Standard Version Absalom said moreover, “If only I were judge in the land! Then all who had a suit or cause might come to me, and I would give them justice.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAbsalom said moreover, Oh that I were made a judge in the land, that every man who has a lawsuit or a cause might come to me, and I would do him justice! Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And Abishlum said: “But who makes me Judge in the land and comes to me? Every man who has a judgment and vengeance, even I would be a champion to him!” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Absalom said moreover: 'Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man who hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice!' Brenton Septuagint Translation And Abessalom said, O that one would make me a judge in the land; then every man who had a dispute or a cause would come to me, and I would judge him! Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Absalom's Conspiracy…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.” 5Also, when anyone approached to bow down to him, Absalom would reach out his hand, take hold of him, and kiss him.… Cross References 1 Kings 1:5 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. 2 Samuel 14:1-33 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 Samuel 8:5-6 “Look,” they said, “you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint a king to judge us like all the other nations.” / But when they said, “Give us a king to judge us,” their demand was displeasing in the sight of Samuel; so he prayed to the LORD. 1 Samuel 8:19-20 Nevertheless, the people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We must have a king over us. / Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to judge us, to go out before us, and to fight our battles.” 1 Kings 12:26-27 Jeroboam said in his heart, “Now the kingdom might revert to the house of David. / If these people go up to offer sacrifices in the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, their hearts will return to their lord, Rehoboam king of Judah; then they will kill me and return to Rehoboam king of Judah.” 2 Samuel 3:36 All the people took note and were pleased. In fact, everything the king did pleased them. 2 Samuel 18:18 During his lifetime, Absalom had set up for himself a pillar in the King’s Valley, for he had said, “I have no son to preserve the memory of my name.” So he gave the pillar his name, and to this day it is called Absalom’s Monument. 2 Samuel 19:9-10 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?” 1 Kings 12:16-17 When all Israel saw that the king had refused to listen to them, they answered the king: “What portion do we have in David, and what inheritance in the son of Jesse? To your tents, O Israel! Look now to your own house, O David!” So the Israelites went home, / but Rehoboam still reigned over the Israelites living in the cities of Judah. 2 Samuel 16:15 Then Absalom and all the men of Israel came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel was with him. 2 Samuel 17:1-4 Furthermore, Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Let me choose twelve thousand men and set out tonight in pursuit of David. / I will attack him while he is weak and weary; I will throw him into a panic, and all the people with him will flee; I will strike down only the king / and bring all the people back to you as a bride returning to her husband. You seek the life of only one man; then all the people will be at peace.” ... 2 Samuel 18:5 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. 2 Samuel 19:41-43 Soon all the men of Israel came to the king and asked, “Why did our brothers, the men of Judah, take you away secretly and bring the king and his household across the Jordan, together with all of David’s men?” / And all the men of Judah replied to the men of Israel, “We did this because the king is our relative. Why does this anger you? Have we ever eaten at the king’s expense or received anything for ourselves?” / “We have ten shares in the king,” answered the men of Israel, “so we have more claim to David than you. Why then do you despise us? Were we not the first to speak of restoring our king?” But the men of Judah spoke more fiercely than the men of Israel. Matthew 23:5-7 All their deeds are done for men to see. They broaden their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. / They love the places of honor at banquets, the chief seats in the synagogues, / the greetings in the marketplaces, and the title of ‘Rabbi’ by which they are addressed. Luke 22:24-27 A dispute also arose among the disciples as to which of them should be considered the greatest. / So Jesus declared, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in authority over them call themselves benefactors. / But you shall not be like them. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who leads like the one who serves. ... Treasury of Scripture Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which has any suit or cause might come to me, and I would do him justice! Oh that I Proverbs 25:6 Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men: Luke 14:9-11 And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room… I would do Proverbs 27:2 Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips. 2 Peter 2:19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. Jump to Previous Absalom Ab'salom Add Appoint Appointed Case Cause Complaint Controversy Decision Declared Judge Judgment Justice Moreover Plea Right Righteous SuitJump to Next Absalom Ab'salom Add Appoint Appointed Case Cause Complaint Controversy Decision Declared Judge Judgment Justice Moreover Plea Right Righteous Suit2 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 And he would add, This phrase introduces Absalom's manipulative strategy to gain favor with the people of Israel. Absalom, the son of King David, is speaking to those who come to seek justice. His words are part of a larger scheme to undermine his father's authority and position himself as a more accessible and just leader. This reflects the cunning and ambition that characterize Absalom's rebellion against David. “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.” Persons / Places / Events 1. AbsalomThe third son of King David, known for his handsome appearance and charismatic personality. He harbored resentment against his father and sought to usurp the throne of Israel. 2. David The reigning king of Israel at the time, chosen by God, and known for his heart after God. He faced challenges both from within his family and from external enemies. 3. Jerusalem The capital city of Israel, where King David reigned and where Absalom began his conspiracy to take over the kingdom. 4. The Gate A place in ancient cities where legal matters were often settled, and where Absalom positioned himself to win the favor of the people by promising justice. 5. Israelites The people of Israel, who were under the rule of King David but were being swayed by Absalom's promises of justice and better leadership. Teaching Points The Dangers of AmbitionAbsalom's desire for power led him to manipulate and deceive. Ambition, when not aligned with God's will, can lead to destructive outcomes. The Importance of Justice Absalom's promise to deliver justice highlights a genuine need among the people. As Christians, we are called to seek justice and righteousness in our communities. Guarding Against Deception Absalom's charm and promises were deceitful. Believers must be discerning and seek truth in leadership and counsel. The Consequences of Unresolved Conflict Absalom's rebellion was partly fueled by unresolved issues with his father, David. Addressing conflicts biblically is crucial to prevent bitterness and division. Trusting in God's Sovereignty Despite Absalom's rebellion, God's plan for David's kingship prevailed. Trusting in God's sovereignty provides peace amidst turmoil. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 2 Samuel 15:4?2. How does Absalom's desire for justice reflect his character in 2 Samuel 15:4? 3. What can we learn about leadership from Absalom's actions in 2 Samuel 15:4? 4. How does Absalom's ambition compare to biblical teachings on humility and servanthood? 5. In what ways does 2 Samuel 15:4 warn against seeking power for selfish reasons? 6. How can we apply the lessons from Absalom's behavior to our own leadership roles? 7. What does 2 Samuel 15:4 reveal about Absalom's character and intentions? 8. How does Absalom's behavior in 2 Samuel 15:4 challenge the concept of divine authority? 9. What historical context is essential to understanding 2 Samuel 15:4? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Samuel 15? 11. What are the key events in 1 Samuel? 12. Who is Absalom in historical or biblical context? 13. What is the Bible's stance on sedition? 14. Is democracy inherently aligned with Christian principles? What Does 2 Samuel 15:4 Mean And he would addAbsalom had already stationed himself at the gate and begun ingratiating himself with the people (2 Samuel 15:1-3). The phrase shows he repeated this line, layering flattery upon flattery. • Continuous repetition works to soften resistance (Proverbs 26:24-25). • His “adding” to the conversation contrasts with David’s silence and restraint (Psalm 39:1). • The man after God’s own heart waits on the Lord; the usurper manufactures opportunity (Psalm 37:7-9). If only someone would appoint me judge in the land Absalom frames his ambition as a public service. He speaks as though the nation lacks leadership, ignoring that God had already given Israel a king—and that David was still on the throne (2 Samuel 7:12-16). • “Appoint me” reveals a grasping spirit, unlike Gideon who refused kingship, saying, “the LORD will rule over you” (Judges 8:22-23). • His wording recalls Israel’s earlier desire to replace the Lord’s arrangement with a human king (1 Samuel 8:5-7). • Scripture warns against craving positions of judgment for self-promotion (James 3:1; Matthew 23:6-7). Then everyone with a grievance or dispute could come to me He markets himself as universally accessible, implying David is detached. • Moses organized layers of judges so the needy were not neglected (Exodus 18:13-26; Deuteronomy 1:16-17); Absalom pretends that structure no longer exists. • True shepherds “know the flock” (Proverbs 27:23); false ones exploit it (Ezekiel 34:2-3). • His promise echoes later demagogues who “entice with sensual desires” and “empty words” (2 Peter 2:18). And I would give him justice Absalom promises immediate, favorable verdicts—exactly what every complainant longs to hear. • Only the Lord can guarantee perfectly righteous judgment (Psalm 9:7-8; Isaiah 11:3-4). • Earthly leaders must fear God and respect the law to judge rightly (2 Samuel 23:3-4; Micah 6:8). • Absalom’s vow is counterfeit; within a few verses he steals hearts, not restores justice (2 Samuel 15:5-6). summary Verse 4 exposes Absalom’s calculated campaign: persistent flattery, unbridled ambition, a show of accessibility, and empty promises of perfect justice. It warns God’s people to discern motives, refuse seductive shortcuts, and trust the Lord—the only righteous Judge—to raise up leaders in His timing and to vindicate every wrong. Hebrew And [he]אַבְשָׁל֔וֹם (’aḇ·šā·lō·wm) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 53: Absalom -- 'my father is peace', two Israelites would add, וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say “If only מִי־ (mî-) Interrogative Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix someone would appoint יְשִׂמֵ֥נִי (yə·śi·mê·nî) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | first person common singular Strong's 7760: Put -- to put, place, set me judge שֹׁפֵ֖ט (šō·p̄êṭ) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 8199: To judge, pronounce sentence, to vindicate, punish, to govern, to litigate in the land, בָּאָ֑רֶץ (bā·’ā·reṣ) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 776: Earth, land then everyone כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every with אֲשֶֽׁר־ (’ă·šer-) Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that a grievance רִ֥יב (rîḇ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 7379: Strife, dispute or dispute וּמִשְׁפָּ֖ט (ū·miš·pāṭ) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4941: A verdict, a sentence, formal decree, divine law, penalty, justice, privilege, style could come יָב֥וֹא (yā·ḇō·w) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go to me, וְעָלַ֗י (wə·‘ā·lay) Conjunctive waw | Preposition | first person common singular Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against and I would give him justice.” וְהִצְדַּקְתִּֽיו׃ (wə·hiṣ·daq·tîw) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular | third person masculine singular Strong's 6663: To be just or righteous Links 2 Samuel 15:4 NIV2 Samuel 15:4 NLT 2 Samuel 15:4 ESV 2 Samuel 15:4 NASB 2 Samuel 15:4 KJV 2 Samuel 15:4 BibleApps.com 2 Samuel 15:4 Biblia Paralela 2 Samuel 15:4 Chinese Bible 2 Samuel 15:4 French Bible 2 Samuel 15:4 Catholic Bible OT History: 2 Samuel 15:4 Absalom said moreover Oh that I were (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam) |
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