The king's servants replied, "Whatever our lord the king decides, we are your servants." The king’s servants repliedThis phrase introduces the response of King David's loyal followers. The Hebrew word for "servants" is "עֲבָדִים" (avadim), which implies not just servitude but a committed allegiance to the king. In the historical context of ancient Israel, servants of the king were often more than mere laborers; they were trusted officials and warriors who played crucial roles in the administration and defense of the kingdom. Their reply signifies a readiness to support David, reflecting the loyalty and unity expected within the king's inner circle. Whatever our lord the king decides
The phrase underscores the absolute trust and submission to King David's authority. The Hebrew word for "lord" is "אֲדֹנִי" (adoni), a term of respect and acknowledgment of David's God-given authority. This reflects the biblical principle of respecting divinely appointed leadership. Historically, David was seen as a man after God's own heart, and his decisions were often viewed as aligned with divine will. This phrase highlights the servants' faith in David's judgment, a model of obedience and trust in leadership that is encouraged throughout Scripture. we are your servants
This declaration reaffirms their commitment and loyalty. The repetition of "servants" (עֲבָדִים, avadim) emphasizes their role and dedication. In the biblical narrative, servanthood is often portrayed as a noble calling, especially when serving a righteous leader. This statement is a powerful testament to their willingness to follow David, even in times of uncertainty or danger. It reflects the biblical theme of servanthood as a form of worship and devotion, not just to earthly leaders but ultimately to God. Persons / Places / Events 1. David- The King of Israel, facing a rebellion led by his son Absalom. This verse highlights the loyalty of his servants during a time of crisis. 2. Absalom- David's son, who is orchestrating a coup against his father to take over the throne of Israel. 3. The King’s Servants- Loyal followers of King David who express their willingness to follow his decisions, demonstrating their allegiance. 4. Jerusalem- The capital city of Israel, where David is reigning and from where he will eventually flee due to Absalom's rebellion. 5. Rebellion- The event of Absalom's uprising against King David, which sets the context for the loyalty expressed by David's servants. Teaching Points Loyalty in Times of CrisisThe servants' response to David exemplifies unwavering loyalty. In our lives, we are called to remain faithful to God and His appointed leaders, even when circumstances are challenging. Servanthood and ObedienceThe servants' willingness to follow David's decisions reflects a heart of servanthood. As Christians, we are called to serve others and submit to God's will, trusting in His guidance. Trust in God's SovereigntyDespite the rebellion, David's servants trusted in his leadership. Similarly, we must trust in God's sovereignty, knowing that He is in control even when situations seem dire. The Cost of LeadershipDavid's experience reminds us that leadership often comes with challenges and opposition. Leaders must rely on God's strength and the support of loyal followers. Community and SupportThe unity and support of David's servants highlight the importance of community. In our faith journey, surrounding ourselves with a supportive community can provide strength and encouragement. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the loyalty of David's servants inspire you in your own relationships and commitments? 2. In what ways can you demonstrate servanthood in your daily life, following the example of David's servants? 3. How can you trust in God's sovereignty when facing personal challenges or opposition? 4. What lessons can you learn from David's leadership during this time of crisis, and how can you apply them in your own leadership roles? 5. How can you build and maintain a supportive community of faith, similar to the unity shown by David's servants? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Samuel 16:13- This verse describes the anointing of David as king, establishing his divine appointment and the legitimacy of his rule, which is now being challenged by Absalom. Psalm 3- A psalm attributed to David during his flight from Absalom, expressing trust in God amidst betrayal and danger. John 13:13-17- Jesus speaks about servanthood, paralleling the loyalty and service of David's servants to the call for Christians to serve one another. Romans 13:1-2- Discusses the importance of submitting to governing authorities, which can be related to the servants' submission to David as their king. 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 Appoint, Behold, Choose, Chooses, Chooseth, Decides, King's, Officials, Ready, Says, Servants, Whatever, WhatsoeverDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Samuel 15:13-15 5319 fugitives 2 Samuel 15:13-18 5087 David, reign of 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 15:15 NIV2 Samuel 15:15 NLT2 Samuel 15:15 ESV2 Samuel 15:15 NASB2 Samuel 15:15 KJV
2 Samuel 15:15 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
