Absalom's Conspiracy

2 Samuel 15

1 After this Absalom v got himself a chariot and horses, and fifty men to run before him. 2 And Absalom used to rise early and stand beside w the way of the gate. And when any man had a dispute to come before the king for judgment, Absalom would call to him and say, "From what city are you?" And when he said, "Your servant is of such and such a tribe in Israel," 3 Absalom would say to him, "See, your claims are good and right, but there is no man designated by the king to hear you." 4 Then Absalom would say, x "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." 5 And whenever a man came near to pay homage to him, he would put out his hand and take hold of him and kiss him. 6 Thus Absalom did to all of Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.

7 And at the end of four 1 years Absalom said to the king, "Please let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed to the Lord, in Hebron. 8 For your servant z vowed a vow a while I lived at Geshur in Aram, saying, 'If the Lord will indeed bring me back to Jerusalem, then I will offer worship to 2 the Lord.'" 9 The king said to him, b "Go in peace." So he arose and went to Hebron. 10 But Absalom sent secret messengers throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, "As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then say, 'Absalom is king at Hebron!'" 11 With Absalom went two hundred men from Jerusalem c who were invited guests, and they went in their innocence and knew nothing. 12 And while Absalom was offering the sacrifices, he sent for 3 d Ahithophel the Gilonite, e David's counselor, from his city f Giloh. And the conspiracy grew strong, and the people with Absalom g kept increasing.

  1. Cross References
    1 Kings 1:5
    Now Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, "I will be king." And he prepared for himself chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.
  2. Cross References
    Ruth 4:1
    Now Boaz had gone up to the gate and sat down there. And behold, the redeemer, of whom Boaz had spoken, came by. So Boaz said, "Turn aside, friend; sit down here." And he turned aside and sat down.
  3. Cross References
    Judges 9:29
    Would that this people were under my hand! Then I would remove Abimelech. I would say to Abimelech, 'Increase your army, and come out.'
  4. Cross References
    Genesis 28:20 - 21
    Then Jacob made a vow, saying, "If God will be with me and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear.
    1 Samuel 1:11
    And she vowed a vow and said, "O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.
  5. Cross References
    2 Samuel 13:38
    So Absalom fled and went to Geshur, and was there three years.
  6. Cross References
    1 Samuel 1:17
    Then Eli answered, "Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him.
  7. Cross References
    1 Samuel 9:13
    As soon as you enter the city you will find him, before he goes up to the high place to eat. For the people will not eat till he comes, since he must bless the sacrifice; afterward those who are invited will eat. Now go up, for you will meet him immediately.
    1 Samuel 16:3
    And invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do. And you shall anoint for me him whom I declare to you.
    1 Samuel 16:5
    And he said, "Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice." And he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.
  8. Cross References
    2 Samuel 15:31
    And it was told David, "Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom." And David said, "O Lord, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.
    2 Samuel 16:20
    Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, "Give your counsel. What shall we do?
    2 Samuel 17:1
    Moreover, Ahithophel said to Absalom, "Let me choose twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue David tonight.
    2 Samuel 17:14
    And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, "The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel." For the Lord had ordained to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, so that the Lord might bring harm upon Absalom.
    2 Samuel 17:23
    When Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his donkey and went off home to his own city. He set his house in order and hanged himself, and he died and was buried in the tomb of his father.
  9. Cross References
    1 Chronicles 27:33
    Ahithophel was the king's counselor, and Hushai the Archite was the king's friend.
    Psalms 41:9
    Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me.
    Psalms 55:12 - 14
    For it is not an enemy who taunts me - then I could bear it; it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me - then I could hide from him.
  10. Cross References
    Joshua 15:51
    Goshen, Holon, and Giloh: eleven cities with their villages.
  11. Cross References
    Psalms 3:1
    O Lord, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
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