Online Bible Commentary
Select Language
Select font sizeDark ModeSet to dark mode

2 Samuel 15:4 meaning

Absalom's ambition fueled a dangerous plot against his father, King David, revealing a deep—seated pride and desire for power. Upon his return to Jerusalem, rather than expressing gratitude, Absalom manipulated public sentiment for his own gain. He posed as a benevolent figure, claiming that he could provide justice to the people, a task he believed his father, David, failed to fulfill. This underscores a critical truth about leadership and integrity: true authority stems from serving the needs of the people rather than using charm and deceit to usurp power.

In this context, the verse where Absalom expresses his wish to be appointed judge in the land is emblematic of his duplicitous nature. He promises better governance for the people, yet his intentions are rooted in rebellion, aiming to "steal the hearts of the men of Israel." This passage warns of the perils associated with self—serving ambition and the need for leaders to ground their actions in justice and genuine care for their communities, highlighting that those who seek power for themselves may ultimately destabilize themselves and their society. You can see this dynamic in 2 Samuel 15:4.

Other Relevant Commentaries:

  • Haggai 1:2-6 meaning. The prophet Haggai urges the people of Judah to consider their ways of life and account for the infertility of the land being connected to their inattention to God’s temple.
  • Luke 16:1-9 meaning. Jesus tells His disciples the Parable of the Unrighteous Steward. It is about a manager of a rich man’s estate who is fired for bad stewardship. Unsure of how he’ll live, he comes up with a shrewd plan. He summons his former employer’s debtors and ingratiates himself to them by greatly reducing their debts. Because they will have a social obligation to repay him, his future is secure. The master commends him for the way he cleverly used the master’s wealth to benefit himself. This ends the parable, highlighting that the point is to "be shrewd". Jesus then makes the observation that the sons of this age are more shrewd in using reciprocity to advance their temporal ambitions than the sons of light are in regard to their eternal ambitions. He exhorts the disciples to be shrewd by using their stewardship of earthly assets to make eternal friends.
  • Matthew 3:13-17 meaning. Jesus arrives from Galilee in order to be baptized by John. John recognizes Jesus as the Messiah and baptizes Him. As soon as Jesus comes up from the water, God’s Spirit descends as a dove and lands on Him. A voice from Heaven announces that Jesus is the Son of God.