2 Samuel 15:11 kjv
And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing.
2 Samuel 15:11 nkjv
And with Absalom went two hundred men invited from Jerusalem, and they went along innocently and did not know anything.
2 Samuel 15:11 niv
Two hundred men from Jerusalem had accompanied Absalom. They had been invited as guests and went quite innocently, knowing nothing about the matter.
2 Samuel 15:11 esv
With Absalom went two hundred men from Jerusalem who were invited guests, and they went in their innocence and knew nothing.
2 Samuel 15:11 nlt
He took 200 men from Jerusalem with him as guests, but they knew nothing of his intentions.
2 Samuel 15 11 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference (Short Note) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Sam 15:7-8 | "After four years, Absalom said to the king... 'Let me go...'" | Absalom's pretext of a religious vow |
| 2 Sam 15:1-6 | "Absalom used to rise early... won the hearts of the men..." | Absalom's manipulation and popularity |
| Prov 26:28 | "A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth..." | Deception and flattering words |
| Ps 10:7 | "His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and oppression..." | Character of the deceiver |
| Gen 3:13 | "The serpent deceived me, and I ate." | Original act of deception |
| Jn 8:44 | "He was a murderer from the beginning... father of lies." | Satan as the ultimate deceiver |
| 2 Cor 11:14 | "Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light." | Deception through appearance |
| Matt 7:15 | "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing..." | Wolves in sheep's clothing |
| Acts 20:29-30 | "Savage wolves will come in among you... misleading disciples" | Internal threats and misleading |
| Rom 16:18 | "By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts..." | Deceptive flattery |
| Jer 9:8 | "Their tongue is a deadly arrow; it speaks deceit." | Deceitful speech |
| Job 1:1 | "There was a man... blameless and upright, who feared God..." | Example of a blameless/simple heart |
| Ps 25:21 | "May integrity and uprightness preserve me..." | Prayer for integrity |
| Ps 78:72 | "With upright heart he shepherded them..." | Uprightness in leadership |
| Deut 18:20 | "But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name..." | False prophets speaking without knowledge |
| Num 22:34 | "I have sinned, for I did not know..." | Acknowledging actions due to ignorance |
| Lk 23:34 | "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." | Ignorance of those carrying out evil |
| Acts 3:17 | "Now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance..." | Actions done in ignorance |
| 1 Kgs 21:9-10 | "Proclaim a fast... put Naboth at the head... two scoundrels." | Religious pretense for unjust actions |
| Amos 5:12 | "Who oppress the righteous and take a bribe..." | Deception in justice system (broader) |
| Titus 1:16 | "They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny him." | Hypocrisy and false claims |
| 1 Jn 2:19 | "They went out from us, but they were not of us..." | Departure revealing true character |
| Ps 73:7 | "Their eyes swell out with fatness; their hearts overflow..." | Naivety vs. malicious intent |
| Isa 53:7 | "Like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep..." | Innocent victim being led unknowingly |
2 Samuel 15 verses
2 Samuel 15 11 Meaning
Two hundred men from Jerusalem accompanied Absalom when he left to execute his treacherous plot in Hebron. These men had been invited by Absalom and followed him with sincere and pure intentions, completely unaware of his hidden agenda to rebel against King David, his father. Their "simplicity" refers to their blameless integrity and ignorance of the true nature of the journey.
2 Samuel 15 11 Context
2 Samuel chapter 15 details Absalom's calculated and prolonged scheme to usurp the throne from his father, King David. Having reconciled with David after murdering Amnon, Absalom cleverly cultivated popular favor over four years by intercepting petitioners and sowing discontent against the king's administration (vv. 1-6). He then sought David's permission to go to Hebron—David's initial capital and a significant tribal center—under the false pretense of fulfilling a vow he made to the Lord while in Geshur (vv. 7-8). This "vow" was a cover for initiating his rebellion. Verse 11 reveals a crucial aspect of Absalom's strategy: the involvement of two hundred prominent men from Jerusalem who unknowingly became part of his coup, demonstrating the depth of Absalom's deception and the power of his manipulation.
2 Samuel 15 11 Word analysis
- And with Absalom: Implies direct association and accompaniment. These men were personally invited or influenced by Absalom himself, rather than merely being random citizens.
- went: (Hebrew: hālak, הָלַךְ) Indicates their physical movement and participation in the journey with Absalom. It suggests they were following his lead.
- two hundred men: A significant number that lent credibility and gravitas to Absalom's "pilgrimage," while still being small enough not to arouse immediate suspicion for a rebellion. These were likely influential or notable figures in Jerusalem.
- out of Jerusalem: The capital city, King David's seat of power. Their departure from Jerusalem with Absalom further legitimized his movements in the eyes of others.
- that were called (Hebrew: qərū’îm, קְרֻאִים): Crucial term meaning "invited" or "summoned." This highlights that their presence was not accidental or forced conscription, but a deliberate invitation by Absalom. It suggests they might have been respected individuals whom Absalom wanted to give an air of legitimacy to his gathering, perhaps believing their presence would validate his ostensible "vow."
- and they went in their simplicity (Hebrew: bətummāṯām, בְּתֻמָּתָם): Highly significant. Tummah means integrity, innocence, blamelessness, sincerity, purity, or completeness of heart. It portrays these men as guileless, without malice, ulterior motives, or deceit. They were not co-conspirators.
- and they knew not anything (Hebrew: wəlo’ yāḏə‘ū kōl-dāvār, וְלֹא יָדְעוּ כָּל־דָּבָר): This powerfully reinforces their complete and utter ignorance of Absalom's treasonous plans. They believed they were going on a genuine religious pilgrimage, not participating in a coup. This absolves them of direct guilt in the rebellion's initial stages.
Words-group by words-group analysis
- "went ... that were called; and they went in their simplicity": This juxtaposition emphasizes that their action of going was a response to an invitation, marked by sincere intentions rather than knowing participation in a conspiracy. It underlines their trust, which Absalom cruelly exploited.
- "in their simplicity, and they knew not anything": These two phrases directly explain why 200 prominent men would join Absalom in an act of rebellion. Their simple, honest hearts (simplicity/integrity) led to their profound unawareness ("knew not anything") of the underlying deceit. This paints them as innocent dupes, victims of Absalom's calculated charade, rather than willing accomplices. It creates a moral contrast between Absalom's cunning and their genuine sincerity.
2 Samuel 15 11 Bonus section
The mention of the 200 innocent men serves as a literary device within the narrative to demonstrate the scale and cleverness of Absalom's manipulative plot. It also provides an immediate exoneration for a portion of the people who followed Absalom, clarifying that not everyone supporting him was inherently rebellious or disloyal to David. This nuance allows the narrative to present Absalom's treachery in its purest form, devoid of popular, willing consent from Jerusalem's leadership, at least initially. Their unwitting involvement would have shocked the original audience, who understood the sanctity of vows and the solemnity of sacrifices, recognizing the profound blasphemy and betrayal woven into Absalom's scheme. This specific detail reinforces Absalom as a master manipulator who would stop at nothing, even sacrilege, to achieve his desires.
2 Samuel 15 11 Commentary
This verse sharply highlights the insidious nature of Absalom's rebellion. By inviting 200 respected men from Jerusalem under the pious guise of a sacrificial vow, he lent an air of legitimacy to his movements while simultaneously isolating his father. The "simplicity" and ignorance of these men underscore Absalom's deep deceit, revealing his willingness to exploit trust and piety for personal ambition. Their unwitting involvement underscores how destructive agendas can leverage genuine human virtue and faith for wicked ends, turning innocent people into pawns in a treacherous game. It separates them from Absalom's direct complicity, focusing the moral culpability squarely on Absalom.