2 Samuel 15:34

David Weeps at the Mount of Olives · 2 Samuel 15:30–37
Read 2 Samuel 15

Translations

Modern
But you can thwart the counsel of Ahithophel for me if you return to the city and say to Absalom: ‘I will be your servant, my king; in the past I was your father’s servant, but now I will be your servant.’
Traditional
But if thou return to the city, and say unto Absalom, I will be thy servant, O king; as I have been thy father’s servant hitherto, so will I now also be thy servant: then mayest thou for me defeat the counsel of Ahithophel.
Literal
But if you return to the city and say to Absalom, ‘I will be your servant, O king, and servant of your father as I was from then, and now I will be your servant,’ then you will defeat for me the counsel of Ahithophel.
Latin
…si autem in civitatem revertaris, et dixeris Absalom: Servus tuus sum, rex: sicut fui servus patris tui, sic ero servus tuus: dissipabis consilium Achitophel.

Original

Hebrew
English
But you can thwart the counsel of Ahithophel for me if you return to the city and say to Absalom: ‘I will be your servant, my king; in the past I was your father’s servant, but now I will be your servant.’

Notes

David believed God was guiding events, but he also made strategic moves to support his goals.

Theme notes and profiles

Abiathar Absalom David Zadok

Events

Parallels

Psalm 63:1–11

People

Absalom: David's rebellious son who tried to usurp the throne Ahithophel: David's counselor who joined Absalom's rebellion, later committed suicide

Glossary

Absalom David Gilead (Place) Hushai Joab Jonathan Kings, Books of First and Second Nathan Samuel, Books of First and Second

Topics

Ahithophel: Joins Absalom David: King of Israel: David's Flight from Jerusalem Diplomacy: David, in Sending Hushai Absalom's Court Falsehood: The Falsehood of Friendship to Absalom That David Put in the Mouth of Hushai Friendship: David and Hushai Hushai: David's Friend Prudence: Abigail Prudence: David, in Overthrowing Ahithophel's Shrewd Advice Strategy in War Zadok: Removes the Ark of the Covenant from Jerusalem at the Time of Absalom's Usurpation