Two hundred men from Jerusalem accompanied Absalom. They had been invited as guests and they went along innocently, for they knew nothing about the matter. Two hundred menThis phrase indicates a significant number of individuals, suggesting that Absalom's conspiracy was not a small, isolated event but involved a considerable group. In the context of ancient Israel, gathering two hundred men would have been a substantial effort, reflecting Absalom's influence and the seriousness of his intentions. Historically, this number signifies a well-organized plan, as assembling such a group would require careful coordination and resources. from Jerusalem
Jerusalem, the city of David, was the political and spiritual center of Israel. The mention of Jerusalem highlights the gravity of Absalom's actions, as he was drawing support from the very heart of the kingdom. This underscores the betrayal, as these men were leaving the city that symbolized God's covenant with David. Theologically, Jerusalem represents God's chosen place, and the departure of these men with Absalom signifies a turning away from divine order. who had been invited
The fact that these men were invited suggests a premeditated plan by Absalom. The Hebrew root for "invited" implies a formal summoning, indicating that Absalom was deliberate and strategic in his approach. This reflects the cunning nature of Absalom's rebellion, as he was able to persuade these men to join him under the guise of a legitimate gathering. and were going innocently
This phrase reveals the deception involved in Absalom's plot. The men were unaware of the true purpose of their journey, highlighting Absalom's manipulative tactics. The Hebrew word for "innocently" conveys a sense of purity or blamelessness, indicating that these men were not complicit in the conspiracy but were misled. This detail emphasizes the moral complexity of the situation, as it shows how Absalom exploited the trust and integrity of others for his own gain. knowing nothing
The phrase underscores the complete ignorance of the men regarding Absalom's intentions. It highlights the theme of deception and betrayal, as these men were unwitting participants in a rebellion against King David. Theologically, this ignorance can be seen as a metaphor for spiritual blindness, where individuals are led astray without understanding the true nature of their actions. This serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of discernment and the dangers of being swayed by charismatic leaders without seeking God's guidance. Persons / Places / Events 1. AbsalomThe son of King David, who is orchestrating a rebellion against his father to seize the throne of Israel. 2. Two Hundred MenThese men were from Jerusalem and accompanied Absalom without knowledge of his rebellious intentions. 3. JerusalemThe capital city of Israel, where King David's reign is centered and from where the two hundred men were invited. 4. DavidThe reigning king of Israel, unaware of Absalom's conspiracy at this point. 5. HebronThe place where Absalom declared himself king, initiating his rebellion against David. Teaching Points The Danger of NaivetyThe two hundred men followed Absalom innocently, highlighting the importance of discernment and understanding the full context before committing to a cause. The Subtlety of DeceptionAbsalom's ability to deceive even those close to him serves as a reminder of the subtlety of sin and the need for vigilance in our spiritual lives. The Importance of IntentionsWhile the men were innocent, their lack of awareness led them into a compromising situation. This teaches us to examine our intentions and the intentions of those we follow. God's Sovereignty Amidst RebellionDespite Absalom's rebellion, God's plan for David's kingship ultimately prevails, reminding us of God's control over human affairs. Community and AccountabilityThe account encourages believers to seek wise counsel and maintain accountability within their community to avoid being led astray. Bible Study Questions 1. What can we learn from the innocence of the two hundred men who followed Absalom, and how can we apply this to our decision-making processes today? 2. How does Absalom's deception reflect the nature of sin, and what steps can we take to guard against being deceived in our spiritual walk? 3. In what ways does this passage challenge us to seek discernment and wisdom in our relationships and commitments? 4. How does the account of Absalom's rebellion and its outcome reinforce the concept of God's sovereignty in our lives? 5. Reflect on a time when you were part of a group or community decision. How did you ensure that your involvement aligned with God's will and biblical principles? Connections to Other Scriptures Psalm 41:9This verse speaks of betrayal by a close friend, which parallels Absalom's betrayal of his father, David. Proverbs 14:15This proverb warns about the simplicity of believing everything, which relates to the innocence of the two hundred men who followed Absalom without understanding his true intentions. Matthew 10:16Jesus advises His followers to be "wise as serpents and innocent as doves," which can be seen as a call to discernment, contrasting the innocence of the two hundred men. People Abiathar, Absalom, Ahimaaz, Ahithophel, Aram, Arkite, Cherethites, David, Gittites, Hushai, Israelites, Ittai, Jonathan, Kerethites, Levites, Pelethites, ZadokPlaces Aram, Gath, Geshur, Giloh, Hebron, Jerusalem, Kidron, Mount of OlivesTopics Absalom, Ab'salom, Accompanied, Anything, Completely, Designs, Didn't, Guests, Hundred, Innocently, Invited, Jerusalem, Matter, Nothing, Ones, Quite, Request, Simplicity, UnconsciousDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Samuel 15:11 5699 guests 2 Samuel 15:1-13 5937 rivalry 2 Samuel 15:7-12 5468 promises, human
8830 suspicion 2 Samuel 15:10-12 5355 invitations
5817 conspiracies
7236 Israel, united kingdom Library A Loyal Vow
'And the king's servants said unto the king, Behold, thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint.'--2 SAMUEL xv. 15. We stand here at the darkest hour of King David's life. Bowed down by the consciousness of his past sin, and recognising in the rebellion of his favourite son the divine chastisement, his early courage and buoyant daring seem to have ebbed from him wholly. He is forsaken by the mass of his subjects, he is preparing to abandon Jerusalem, and to flee as an …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureIttai of Gath
'And Ittai answered the king, and said, As 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 xv. 21. It was the darkest hour in David's life. No more pathetic page is found in the Old Testament than that which tells the story of his flight before Absalom. He is crushed by the consciousness that his punishment is deserved--the bitter fruit of the sin that filled all his later life …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Pardoned Sin Punished
'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. 3. And Absalom said unto him. See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Loyal to the Core
On the other hand, look at Ittai, perfectly free to go, but in order to end the controversy once for all, and to make David know that he does not mean to leave him, he takes a solemn oath before Jehovah his God, and he doubles it by swearing by the life of David that he will never leave him; in life, in death, he will be with him. He has cast in his lot with him for better and for worse, and he means to be faithful to the end. Old Master Trapp says, "All faithful friends went on a pilgrimage years …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 26: 1880 Following Christ
"And Ittai answered the king, and said, as 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 15:21. SOME men have a very remarkable power of creating and sustaining friendship in others. David was a man brimming over with affection--a man, notwithstanding all his rough soldier-life, of an exceedingly tender heart--a man, I was about to say--the word was on my tongue--a man of vast …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 62: 1916 The Will of God
"Here am I, let Him do to me as seemeth good unto Him."--2 Sam. xv. 26. G. Ter Steegen. tr., Emma Frances Bevan, 1899 Thou sweet beloved Will of God, My anchor ground, my fortress hill, The Spirit's silent fair abode, In Thee I hide me and am still. O Will, that willest good alone, Lead Thou the way, Thou guidest best; A silent child, I follow on, And trusting, lean upon Thy Breast. God's Will doth make the bitter sweet, And all is well when it is done; Unless His Will doth hallow it, The glory …
Frances Bevan—Hymns of Ter Steegen and Others (Second Series) A Light to Lighten the Gentiles
P. G. 2 Sam. xv. 19-22; John xii. 26 "Wherefore goest thou with me?" Said the king disowned-- Said the king despised, rejected, Disenthroned. "Go, return unto thy place, To thy king of yore-- Here a pilgrim and a stranger, Nothing more. "Not for thee the cities fair, Hills of corn and wine-- All was portioned ere thou camest, Nought is thine. "Wandering forth where'er I may, Exiled from mine own, Shame, rejection I can grant thee; That alone. "Turn and take thy brethren back, With thy people …
Frances Bevan—Hymns of Ter Steegen, Suso, and Others The Daily Walk with Others (iii. ).
Thrice happy they who at Thy side, Thou Child of Nazareth, Have learnt to give their struggling pride Into Thy hands to death: If thus indeed we lay us low, Thou wilt exalt us o'er the foe; And let the exaltation be That we are lost in Thee. Let me say a little on a subject which, like the last, is one of some delicacy and difficulty, though its problems are of a very different kind. It is, the relation between the Curate and his Incumbent; or more particularly, the Curate's position and conduct …
Handley C. G. Moule—To My Younger Brethren And V the Kingdom Undivided and the Kingdom Divided
THE HISTORICAL BOOKS: I and II Samuel. I and II Kings. I and II Chronicles. NOTE.--As these three pairs of books are so closely related in their historical contents, it is deemed best to study them together, though they overlap the two divisions of IV and V. I. CHARTS Chart A. General Contents +--+ " I AND II SAMUEL " +-------------+-----+------+ "Samuel "Saul "David " +-------------+-----+------+----------+ " " " " I AND II KINGS "NOTE.--Biblical …
Frank Nelson Palmer—A Bird's-Eye View of the Bible That Whereas the City of Jerusalem had Been Five Times Taken Formerly, this was the Second Time of Its Desolation. A Brief Account of Its History.
1. And thus was Jerusalem taken, in the second year of the reign of Vespasian, on the eighth day of the month Gorpeius [Elul]. It had been taken five [34] times before, though this was the second time of its desolation; for Shishak, the king of Egypt, and after him Antiochus, and after him Pompey, and after them Sosius and Herod, took the city, but still preserved it; but before all these, the king of Babylon conquered it, and made it desolate, one thousand four hundred and sixty-eight years and …
Flavius Josephus—The Wars of the Jews or History of the Destruction of Jerusalem King of Kings and Lord of Lords
And He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, K ING OF K INGS AND L ORD OF L ORDS T he description of the administration and glory of the Redeemer's Kingdom, in defiance of all opposition, concludes the second part of Messiah Oratorio. Three different passages from the book of Revelation are selected to form a grand chorus, of which Handel's title in this verse is the close --a title which has been sometimes vainly usurped by proud worms of this earth. Eastern monarchs, in particular, …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2 Samuel
Alike from the literary and the historical point of view, the book[1] of Samuel stands midway between the book of Judges and the book of Kings. As we have already seen, the Deuteronomic book of Judges in all probability ran into Samuel and ended in ch. xii.; while the story of David, begun in Samuel, embraces the first two chapters of the first book of Kings. The book of Samuel is not very happily named, as much of it is devoted to Saul and the greater part to David; yet it is not altogether inappropriate, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 2 Samuel 15:11 NIV2 Samuel 15:11 NLT2 Samuel 15:11 ESV2 Samuel 15:11 NASB2 Samuel 15:11 KJV
2 Samuel 15:11 Commentaries
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