Tyndale Open Study Notes2 Samuel 15

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.

a chariot with horses and fifty men: These items were clear signs of kingship. Samuel warned that a king would take these from the people (1 Samuel 8:11). David's son, Adonijah, also gathered these when he wanted to be king (1 Kings 1:5).

Bowing before Absalom was to honor him as king (see 2 Samuel 14:33).

Absalom welcomed the people and acted as if he cared about them. In this way, he won their loyalty through false concern.

• 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).

• Geshur of Aram: After killing Amnon, Absalom had sought refuge in the homeland of his mother (see study notes on 2 Samuel 13:34–39, 37).

• Hebron, David's first capital, was the ideal place for Absalom to turn his local popularity into a full revolt against David.

• Ahithophel was Bathsheba’s grandfather (see 2 Samuel 11:3; 23:34). Years later, he might have still been upset about David's actions toward his granddaughter.

• Giloh was located in the region of Hebron (Joshua 15:51, 54).

David might have left ten of his concubines behind because he thought his exile would be brief. See 2 Samuel 16:21–22.

• six hundred Gittites: This alliance began with David's connection to the Philistines during Saul's time (1 Samuel 21:10–15; 27:1–12; 29:1–11).

• the Cherethites and Pelethites: Refer to the study note on 2 Samuel 8:18.

• Ittai was a Philistine from Gath. He was associated with Gibeah in Benjamin (2 Samuel 23:29; 1 Chronicles 11:31). The Philistines had set up a military post in Gibeah at the start of Saul's rule (1 Samuel 10:5; 13:3).

• David was stepping aside for King Absalom, who had gained the loyalty of the people of Israel.

The Kidron Valley, east of Jerusalem, separated the City of David from the Mount of Olives.

Zadok was one of two priests who served King David (2 Samuel 8:17). He later anointed Solomon as king (1 Kings 1:39) and became the high priest after Abiathar lost his position (1 Kings 2:26–27).

Return the ark of God: When people fled invasions, they usually took their idols to prevent enemies from capturing them. If a god was captured, rebels might think the gods had abandoned the ruling family. However, the ark was not just an idol or charm (compare 1 Samuel 4:3–11; 5:6–6:9). It was the main object in the sanctuary and symbolized the presence of the Lord, the God of Israel (see Exodus 40:34–35). David allowed the ark to fall into Absalom’s hands on purpose, trusting in God’s grace and promises (2 Samuel 15:26; see 7:8–16) whether or not the ark was with him.

Ahimaaz and Jonathan supported David during Absalom’s rebellion by serving as secret messengers (see 2 Samuel 15:36; 17:17–22).

turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness: David also sent Hushai, who pretended to support Absalom while secretly serving David. Hushai worked to confuse and undermine Ahithophel’s advice (2 Samuel 15:32–37; 17:1–14).

• At this point in Israel’s history, people worshiped God at multiple altars across the land. The tabernacle, which had been around since the time of Joshua and Samuel, no longer existed. The temple had not yet been built.

• An Arkite was possibly a non-Israelite from the region south of Bethel (Joshua 16:2).

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