2 Samuel 15 (NET)

NET Bible® Scripture text without NET Bible notes. Verse anchors allow direct linking to exact verses.

2 Samuel 15:1¹Some time later Absalom managed to acquire a chariot and horses, as well as fifty men to serve as his royal guard.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:1 Kgs 1:5 1 Sam 8:11 2 Sam 12:11 Ps 20:7 1 Kgs 1:33 1 Kgs 10:26-29 Deut 17:16 Jer 22:14-16 Prov 11:2 Prov 16:18

2 Samuel 15:2²Now Absalom used to get up early and stand beside the road that led to the city gate. Whenever anyone came by who had a complaint to bring to the king for arbitration, Absalom would call out to him, “What city are you from?” The person would answer, “I, your servant, am from one of the tribes of Israel.”Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:1 Kgs 3:16-28 2 Sam 19:8 Exod 18:14 Exod 18:16 Exod 18:26 Job 24:14 Matt 27:1 Prov 4:16 Ruth 4:1

2 Samuel 15:3³Absalom 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.”Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:1 Pet 2:17 2 Pet 2:10 2 Sam 8:15 Acts 23:5 Dan 11:21 Exod 20:12 Exod 21:17 Ezek 22:7 Matt 15:4 Num 16:13-14

2 Samuel 15:4⁴Absalom 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.”Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Judg 9:29 2 Pet 2:19 Judg 9:1-5 Luke 14:8-11 Prov 25:6 Prov 27:2

2 Samuel 15:5⁵When someone approached to bow before him, Absalom would extend his hand and embrace him and kiss him.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:2 Sam 14:33 Prov 26:25 Ps 10:9-10 Ps 55:21

2 Samuel 15:6⁶Absalom acted this way toward everyone in Israel who came to the king for justice. In this way Absalom won the loyalty of the citizens of Israel.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Rom 16:18 2 Pet 2:3 Prov 11:9

2 Samuel 15:7⁷After four years Absalom said to the king, “Let me go and repay my vow that I made to the Lord while I was in Hebron.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Isa 58:4 1 Sam 16:1-2 1 Sam 16:13 2 Sam 13:24-27 2 Sam 13:38 Matt 2:8 Matt 23:13 Prov 21:27

2 Samuel 15:8⁸For I made this vow when I was living in Geshur in Aram: ‘If the Lord really does allow me to return to Jerusalem, I will serve the Lord.’”Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:2 Sam 13:37-38 Gen 28:20-21 1 Sam 1:11 Jer 9:3-5 1 Sam 16:2 2 Sam 14:23 2 Sam 14:32 Eccl 5:4 Isa 28:15 Jer 42:20

2 Samuel 15:9⁹The king replied to him, “Go in peace.” So Absalom got up and went to Hebron.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AI

2 Samuel 15:10¹⁰Then Absalom sent spies through all the tribes of Israel who said, “When you hear the sound of the horn, you may assume that Absalom rules in Hebron.”Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:1 Chr 11:3 1 Chr 12:23 1 Chr 12:38 1 Kgs 1:34 2 Kgs 9:13 2 Sam 13:28 2 Sam 14:30 2 Sam 19:10 2 Sam 2:1 2 Sam 2:11

2 Samuel 15:11¹¹Now 200 men had gone with Absalom from Jerusalem. Since they were invited, they went naively and were unaware of what Absalom was planning.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:1 Sam 9:13 1 Sam 22:15 1 Sam 16:3-5 Gen 20:5 Matt 10:16 Prov 14:15 Prov 22:3 Rom 16:18-19

2 Samuel 15:12¹²While he was offering sacrifices, Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s adviser, to come from his city, Giloh. The conspiracy was gaining momentum, and the people were starting to side with Absalom.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:2 Sam 15:31 Ps 41:9 Josh 15:51 Ps 55:12-14 Titus 1:16 1 Kgs 21:12 2 Sam 17:14 2 Sam 17:23 Prov 21:27 1 Chr 27:33

2 Samuel 15:13¹³Then a messenger came to David and reported, “The men of Israel are loyal to Absalom!”Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Judg 9:3 2 Sam 15:6 Matt 27:22 2 Sam 3:36 Matt 21:9 Ps 62:9

2 Samuel 15:14¹⁴So David said to all his servants who were with him in Jerusalem, “Come on! Let’s escape! Otherwise no one will be delivered from Absalom! Go immediately, or else he will quickly overtake us and bring disaster on us and kill the city’s residents with the sword.”Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:2 Sam 19:9 2 Sam 12:11 2 Sam 23:16-17 Ezek 46:18 Luke 10:15 Matt 11:12 Ps 137:5-6 Ps 3:1-8 Ps 51:18 Ps 55:3-11

2 Samuel 15:15¹⁵The king’s servants replied to the king, “We will do whatever our lord the king decides.”Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:John 6:66-69 Luke 22:28-29 Prov 18:24 John 15:14

2 Samuel 15:16¹⁶So the king and all the members of his royal court set out on foot, though the king left behind ten concubines to attend to the palace.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:2 Sam 16:21-22 2 Sam 20:3 Ps 3:1 Rom 12:2 1 Sam 25:27 1 Sam 25:42 2 Sam 12:11 Judg 4:10

2 Samuel 15:17¹⁷The king and all the people set out on foot, pausing at a spot some distance away.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Eccl 10:7 Ps 3:1-2 Ps 66:12

2 Samuel 15:18¹⁸All his servants were leaving with him, along with all the Kerethites, all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites—some 600 men who had come on foot from Gath. They were leaving with the king.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:2 Sam 8:18 1 Chr 18:17 1 Kgs 1:38 1 Sam 30:14 2 Sam 20:23 2 Sam 20:7 1 Sam 27:3 2 Sam 15:19-22 2 Sam 18:2 2 Sam 6:10

2 Samuel 15:19¹⁹Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why should you come with us? Go back and stay with the new king, for you are a foreigner and an exile from your own country.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:2 Sam 18:2 Ruth 1:11-13

2 Samuel 15:20²⁰It seems as if you arrived just yesterday. Today should I make you wander around by going with us? I go where I must go. But as for you, go back and take your men with you. May genuine loyal love protect you!”Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:1 Sam 23:13 2 Sam 2:6 Heb 11:37-38 John 1:17 2 Tim 1:16-18 Amos 8:12 Prov 14:22 Ps 25:10 Ps 56:8 Ps 57:3

2 Samuel 15:21²¹But Ittai replied to the king, “As surely as the Lord lives and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king is, whether it means death or life, there I will be as well!”Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Ruth 1:16-17 Prov 17:17 2 Kgs 4:30 2 Cor 7:3 2 Kgs 2:2 2 Kgs 2:4 2 Kgs 2:6 Acts 11:23 Acts 21:13 Prov 18:24

2 Samuel 15:22²²So David said to Ittai, “Come along then.” So Ittai the Gittite went along, accompanied by all his men and all the dependents who were with him.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AI

2 Samuel 15:23²³All the land was weeping loudly as all these people were leaving. As the king was crossing over the Kidron Valley, all the people were leaving on the road that leads to the desert.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:2 Sam 16:2 1 Kgs 2:37 John 18:1 1 Kgs 15:13 2 Chr 29:16 Luke 1:80 Matt 3:1 Matt 3:3 Rom 12:15

2 Samuel 15:24²⁴Zadok and all the Levites who were with him were carrying the ark of the covenant of God. When they positioned the ark of God, Abiathar offered sacrifices until all the people had finished leaving the city.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:2 Sam 8:17 Num 4:15 2 Sam 20:25 1 Sam 22:20 1 Chr 15:2 1 Chr 6:8-12 1 Kgs 1:8 1 Kgs 2:35 1 Kgs 4:2-4 1 Sam 4:11

2 Samuel 15:25²⁵Then the king said to Zadok, “Take the ark of God back to the city. If I find favor in the Lord ’s sight he will bring me back and enable me to see both it and his dwelling place again.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Jer 25:30 Ps 26:8 Ps 84:10 Exod 15:13 Ps 43:3-4 1 Sam 4:3-11 2 Sam 12:10-11 2 Sam 6:17 2 Sam 7:2 Isa 38:22

2 Samuel 15:26²⁶However, if he should say, ‘I do not take pleasure in you,’ then he will deal with me in a way that he considers appropriate.”Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:1 Sam 3:18 1 Kgs 10:9 2 Sam 22:20 2 Chr 9:8 Isa 62:4 Num 14:8 Isa 42:1 Jer 22:28 Jer 32:41 Job 1:20-21

2 Samuel 15:27²⁷The king said to Zadok the priest, “Are you a seer? Go back to the city in peace! Your son Ahimaaz and Abiathar’s son Jonathan may go with you and Abiathar.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:1 Sam 9:9 2 Sam 17:17 1 Chr 25:5 2 Sam 15:34 2 Sam 15:36 2 Sam 24:11

2 Samuel 15:28²⁸Look, I will be waiting at the fords of the desert until word from you reaches me.”Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:2 Sam 17:16 2 Sam 15:23 2 Sam 16:2 2 Sam 17:1

2 Samuel 15:29²⁹So Zadok and Abiathar took the ark of God back to Jerusalem and remained there.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AI

2 Samuel 15:30³⁰As David was going up the Mount of Olives, he was weeping as he went; his head was covered and his feet were bare. All the people who were with him also had their heads covered and were weeping as they went up.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Esth 6:12 2 Sam 19:4 Luke 19:41 Acts 1:12 Ezek 24:17 Ezek 24:23 Isa 20:2-4 Jer 14:3-4 Luke 19:29 Luke 19:37

2 Samuel 15:31³¹Now David had been told, “Ahithophel has sided with the conspirators who are with Absalom.” So David prayed, “Make the advice of Ahithophel foolish, O Lord.”Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:2 Sam 17:14 2 Sam 17:23 Ps 41:9 Jas 3:15 Job 5:12 1 Cor 1:20 1 Cor 3:18-20 2 Sam 15:12 2 Sam 16:23 Isa 19:11-25

2 Samuel 15:32³²When David reached the summit, where he used to worship God, Hushai the Arkite met him with his clothes torn and dirt on his head.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Josh 16:2 2 Sam 1:2 Ps 3:3-5 1 Kgs 11:7 1 Kgs 8:44-45 2 Sam 13:19 2 Sam 15:30 2 Sam 16:16-19 Job 1:20-21 Luke 19:29

2 Samuel 15:33³³David said to him, “If you leave with me you will be a burden to me.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:2 Sam 19:35

2 Samuel 15:34³⁴But you will be able to counter the advice of Ahithophel if you go back to the city and say to Absalom, ‘I will be your servant, O king! Previously I was your father’s servant, and now I will be your servant.’Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:2 Sam 15:20 2 Sam 16:16-19 2 Sam 17:5-14 Josh 8:2 Matt 10:16

2 Samuel 15:35³⁵Zadok and Abiathar the priests will be there with you. Everything you hear in the king’s palace you must tell Zadok and Abiathar the priests.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:2 Sam 17:15-16

2 Samuel 15:36³⁶Furthermore, their two sons are there with them, Zadok’s son Ahimaaz and Abiathar’s son Jonathan. You must send them to me with any information you hear.”Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:2 Sam 17:17 2 Sam 15:27 2 Sam 18:19-33

2 Samuel 15:37³⁷So David’s friend Hushai arrived in the city, just as Absalom was entering Jerusalem.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:1 Chr 27:33 2 Sam 16:15-16