2 Samuel 15 14

2 Samuel 15:14 kjv

And David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not else escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword.

2 Samuel 15:14 nkjv

So David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, "Arise, and let us flee, or we shall not escape from Absalom. Make haste to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly and bring disaster upon us, and strike the city with the edge of the sword."

2 Samuel 15:14 niv

Then David said to all his officials who were with him in Jerusalem, "Come! We must flee, or none of us will escape from Absalom. We must leave immediately, or he will move quickly to overtake us and bring ruin on us and put the city to the sword."

2 Samuel 15:14 esv

Then David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, "Arise, and let us flee, or else there will be no escape for us from Absalom. Go quickly, lest he overtake us quickly and bring down ruin on us and strike the city with the edge of the sword."

2 Samuel 15:14 nlt

"Then we must flee at once, or it will be too late!" David urged his men. "Hurry! If we get out of the city before Absalom arrives, both we and the city of Jerusalem will be spared from disaster."

2 Samuel 15 verses

2 Samuel 15 14 Meaning

King David, facing a widespread rebellion led by his son Absalom, commands his servants to immediately abandon Jerusalem and flee. He urgently recognizes that remaining in the capital would lead to capture by Absalom, who would not hesitate to inflict widespread devastation upon the city and its inhabitants with the sword. David’s swift decision prioritizes the safety of his household and the citizens of Jerusalem, showing his care and strategic foresight in a moment of acute national crisis.

2 Samuel 15 14 Context

This verse is central to the dramatic account of Absalom’s rebellion against his father, King David. Absalom had been plotting for years, gaining popularity by subtly undermining his father's justice (2 Sam 15:1-6). After consolidating support in Hebron, the news reached David in Jerusalem that "the hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom" (2 Sam 15:13). This verse encapsulates David's immediate response to this grave news: an urgent, strategic evacuation. Historically, Jerusalem was the spiritual and political capital of David's unified kingdom, housing the Ark of the Covenant. For David to leave Jerusalem meant abandoning his throne, his royal city, and his stronghold, indicating the dire threat Absalom posed. David's flight marks a low point in his reign, highlighting themes of human vulnerability, the consequences of sin within his own household (referring to his past actions like the Bathsheba affair and its consequences as prophesied in 2 Sam 12), and God’s sovereign control over seemingly chaotic events.

2 Samuel 15 14 Word analysis

• Then David said:
  • Word: "Then" (וַיֹּ֤אמֶר wa-yo'mer) – Signifies a direct, immediate response to the preceding alarming news about Absalom's widespread support. It denotes urgency and the initiation of decisive action.
  • Significance: Highlights David's role as the decisive leader, even in crisis.
• to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem:
  • Significance: Indicates the loyal inner circle and those who remained faithful to David, setting them apart from the disloyal elements Absalom swayed. It specifies the direct recipients of his urgent command.
• "Arise and let us flee, for we will not otherwise escape from Absalom. (קוּמוּ֙ וְנִבְרָ֔חָה qū·mū wə·niv·rā·ḥāh - Rise and let us flee)
  • Word: "Arise" (קוּמוּ qūmū) – A command indicating immediate and decisive action. It’s an imperative often used for starting a journey or action, not merely standing up.
  • Word: "flee" (וְנִבְרָחָה wə·niv·rā·ḥāh) – To escape, to run away from danger. This word carries the sense of urgent evasion.
  • Significance: Reveals David’s realistic assessment of the overwhelming nature of Absalom's support and the strategic necessity of retreat rather than confrontation within the city. This is a humble admission of vulnerability from a mighty king.
• Make haste to depart lest he overtake us quickly and bring down calamity on us and strike the city with the edge of the sword.”
  • Word: "Make haste" (מַהֲר֥וּ ma·ha·rū) – Implying extreme urgency and swift action. Delay could be fatal.
  • Word: "overtake" (הִגִּיעָ֧נוּ hig·gī·‘ā·nū) – To reach, to catch up. Implies a pursuit where Absalom would gain ground.
  • Word: "bring down calamity" (וְהִדִּ֧יף וְהִכָּה vĕ·hid·dîp̄ wə·hik·kāh) – More literally, "and drive away and strike" or "bring disaster upon". This is an act of violent destruction, hinting at mass killing and devastation. The Hebrew root for "bring down calamity" can imply pushing back or thrusting violently, and "strike" is literally "strike down" (Hifil verb of נָגַף nagaf - to smite, strike, plague).
  • Word: "strike the city with the edge of the sword" (וְהִכָּ֥ה אֶת־הָעִ֖יר לְפִי־חָֽרֶב wə·hikh·kāh et-hā·‘îr lə·p̄î-ḥā·reḇ) – A brutal act of conquest, a total massacre of its inhabitants. "Edge of the sword" is a common Hebrew idiom signifying utter destruction.
  • Significance: David understands Absalom’s ruthless nature and the consequences of being trapped. He foresees the horrific outcome of a direct confrontation within the populated city, revealing his concern for his loyal subjects and the welfare of Jerusalem beyond his own life. This decision underscores a pragmatic, responsible leadership, contrasting with Absalom's recklessness.

2 Samuel 15 14 Bonus section

The choice to flee Jerusalem allowed for key events that further revealed the Lord's hand in David's ordeal:

• The Spies: The immediate departure facilitated David’s strategic placement of Zadok and Abiathar (and their sons Ahimaaz and Jonathan) in Jerusalem as his intelligence network, undermining Absalom from within (2 Sam 15:27-29).
• Hushai's Role: David instructed Hushai the Archite to infiltrate Absalom's camp and subvert Ahithophel's counsel (2 Sam 15:32-37), which directly led to Absalom’s downfall. This shows David was not merely fleeing but strategically orchestrating his return through divinely-aided counter-intelligence.
• David's Humility: This flight begins David's "valley" experience, during which he endures curses from Shimei and reflects deeply on his situation in Psalms (e.g., Ps 3, Ps 4, Ps 41, Ps 63). It is a time of profound spiritual testing and growth. This suffering, while traumatic, purifies and redirects David towards deeper dependence on God.

2 Samuel 15 14 Commentary

2 Samuel 15:14 captures a critical juncture in David's life, showing his transition from mighty warrior-king to a man humbling himself under God’s mysterious providences. His immediate command to flee Jerusalem, his very capital, demonstrates a stark recognition of reality: Absalom's rebellion was overwhelming, swift, and potentially devastating. David’s flight was not cowardice but strategic prudence and compassion, prioritizing the lives of his people over the defense of his immediate royal position. He understood the brutal nature of internecine warfare and sought to prevent widespread bloodshed within Jerusalem. This moment reflects themes of suffering of the righteous, the temporary triumph of evil, and David’s reliance, even in flight, on a higher power’s plan, paving the way for God's redemptive work through subsequent events.