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2 Samuel 15

2 Samuel 15:7

Absalom’s Conspiracy · 2 Samuel 15:1–12
Read 2 Samuel 15

Translations

Modern
After four years had passed, Absalom said to the king, “Please let me go to Hebron to fulfill a vow I have made to the LORD.
Traditional
And it came to pass after forty years, that Absalom said unto the king, I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto the Lord, in Hebron.
Literal
And it came to pass after four years that Absalom said to the king, “Let me go, please, and pay the vow that I made to YHWH in Hebron.
Latin
Post quadraginta autem annos, dixit Absalom ad regem David: Vadam, et reddam vota mea quæ vovi Domino in Hebron.

Original

Hebrew
English
After four years had passed, Absalom said to the king, “Please let me go to Hebron to fulfill a vow I have made to the LORD.

Notes

2 Samuel 15:7

  • After four years: The Hebrew text says forty years, which would place Absalom’s rebellion in David’s final year as king, causing many timeline issues with later events (also see study note on 2 Samuel 15:1–19). The Greek and Syriac versions are more likely accurate.

  • fulfill a vow: This offering was to keep a promise to God, unlike a freewill offering given out of devotion and gratitude (see Genesis 28:20–22; Judges 11:30–31; 1 Samuel 1:11). Absalom was probably lying (compare 1 Samuel 20:28–29).

2 Samuel 15:1–19

Absalom revolted against David eleven years after Amnon violated Tamar (compare 2 Samuel 13:23, 38; 14:28; 15:7). This was around the twenty-fifth year of David's thirty-three-year rule in Jerusalem.

Theme notes and profiles

Absalom David

Events

People

Absalom: David's rebellious son who tried to usurp the throne

Places

Hebron: An important city in Judah; burial place of patriarchs

Glossary

Absalom David Gilead (Place) Hebron (Place) Joab Kings, Books of First and Second Nathan Proverbs, Book of Samuel, Books of First and Second

Topics

Ambition: Absalom Consecration: Conditional Covenant of Man with God: Absalom Deception: when he Began his Conspiracy Hypocrites: Absalom Usurpation of Political Functions by Absalom Vows of Absalom