2 Samuel 15 3

2 Samuel 15:3 kjv

And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee.

2 Samuel 15:3 nkjv

Then Absalom would say to him, "Look, your case is good and right; but there is no deputy of the king to hear you."

2 Samuel 15:3 niv

Then Absalom would say to him, "Look, your claims are valid and proper, but there is no representative of the king to hear you."

2 Samuel 15:3 esv

Absalom would say to him, "See, your claims are good and right, but there is no man designated by the king to hear you."

2 Samuel 15:3 nlt

Then Absalom would say, "You've really got a strong case here! It's too bad the king doesn't have anyone to hear it.

2 Samuel 15 verses

2 Samuel 15 3 Meaning

Absalom, through a deliberate and consistent strategy, would subtly undermine King David's authority by positioning himself at the city gate where legal disputes were brought. He would skillfully engage those seeking royal judgment by first acknowledging the legitimacy and righteousness of their claims. Following this validation, he would then sow doubt regarding King David's administration by stating that there was no designated official or accessible mechanism appointed by the king to hear their case effectively. This approach aimed to portray David's governance as deficient in providing justice and present Absalom as a sympathetic and capable alternative, thereby "stealing the hearts" of the people for himself.

2 Samuel 15 3 Context

This verse is part of the unfolding narrative of Absalom's rebellion against his father, King David. Prior to this, David had been grappling with deep internal family issues, including the rape of Tamar by Amnon and Absalom's subsequent murder of Amnon and self-imposed exile. Upon Absalom's return to Jerusalem, a process that took time and was marked by David's emotional turmoil, the relationship remained strained. Absalom strategically exploited this context of David's possible administrative laxity or preoccupation. By positioning himself at the city gate (2 Sam 15:2), the traditional place of legal assembly and justice in ancient Israel, Absalom systematically intercepted those seeking royal judgment. He preyed on any existing discontent or delays in David's court, meticulously building a popular following and creating the perfect climate for his eventual coup.

2 Samuel 15 3 Word analysis

• "And Absalom would say to him,": This repetitive phrasing, suggested by the Hebrew verbal form, indicates Absalom's systematic and consistent efforts over an extended period (four years, according to 2 Sam 15:7). It highlights the methodical nature of his undermining campaign, not a singular impulsive act, but a patiently executed strategy to "steal the hearts" of the people.
• "See,": The Hebrew word הִנֵּה (hineh) acts as an intensifier, akin to "Behold!" or "Listen!" It shows Absalom's feigned attentiveness and engagement with the complainant, making them feel genuinely heard and understood.
• "your claims are good and right,": This translation of the Hebrew טוֹבִים וּנְכֹחִים (tovim unekhochim) conveys a powerful validation. "Tovim" means "good, pleasing, appropriate, excellent," while "unekhochim" signifies "straight, just, upright, truthful." By validating their legal disputes as intrinsically just and sound, Absalom immediately established empathy and trust with those seeking justice. This was a crucial psychological step, as he was acknowledging their grievance before directing it towards David's supposed failing.
• "but there is no man deputed by the king to hear you.": This is the heart of Absalom's subtle manipulation and direct accusation of David's administration. The phrase implies:
  • "no man deputed": The Hebrew construct implies that no official, or effective official, has been appointed or designated by the king to listen, understand, and justly resolve their cases. It suggests a functional void in David's judicial system.
  • This is an indirect, yet damning, critique of David's governance. Absalom avoids outright slander against the king's person. Instead, he highlights a deficiency in the royal administration.
  • This implies a breakdown in accessible justice, a critical duty of a king in the ancient Near East. Whether David was genuinely overwhelmed, inattentive due to personal crises, or had insufficient judicial personnel, Absalom skillfully capitalized on this perception of unavailability. He positions himself as the only one who is available and concerned.

2 Samuel 15 3 Bonus section

Absalom's strategy of undermining David by capitalizing on perceived administrative inefficiencies offers a timeless lesson in political manipulation. Throughout history, public frustration with delayed or inaccessible justice has often been a potent catalyst for popular unrest and shifts in power. Absalom understood that he didn't need to provoke a radical ideological revolution; merely a practical discontent with day-to-day governance would suffice. The people's immediate needs for dispute resolution, if neglected, became fertile ground for disloyalty. His actions demonstrate a profound understanding of human nature: people are often more swayed by perceived immediate solutions to their practical problems than by grand abstract ideals, especially when offered with apparent empathy and validation of their struggles. This period also potentially highlights a vulnerability in David's rule—whether due to the emotional toll of family crises, aging, or simple oversight—that Absalom exploited with precise calculation.

2 Samuel 15 3 Commentary

2 Samuel 15:3 brilliantly reveals Absalom's cunning and manipulative strategy for usurping King David's throne. He did not lead a direct military assault or openly slander his father. Instead, he employed a shrewd political maneuver: appearing sympathetic and offering implied critique of the existing judicial system. By patiently attending to every complainant at the city gate, Absalom would first flatter them by validating the righteousness of their cause. This established immediate rapport and earned their trust. He then, with feigned lament, pointed out a supposed administrative failing of David – that no one was deputed by the king to hear their cases properly. This subtle insinuation struck at the core responsibility of ancient monarchs to ensure justice for their people. Absalom masterfully painted himself as the empathetic, capable leader who would address their grievances, fostering widespread discontent and effectively "stealing the hearts" of the populace from David without a single direct word of accusation against his father's character. His actions were a slow, deliberate poisoning of public opinion against the existing authority.