2 Samuel 15:32 kjv
And it came to pass, that when David was come to the top of the mount, where he worshipped God, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat rent, and earth upon his head:
2 Samuel 15:32 nkjv
Now it happened when David had come to the top of the mountain, where he worshiped God?there was Hushai the Archite coming to meet him with his robe torn and dust on his head.
2 Samuel 15:32 niv
When David arrived at the summit, where people used to worship God, Hushai the Arkite was there to meet him, his robe torn and dust on his head.
2 Samuel 15:32 esv
While David was coming to the summit, where God was worshiped, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat torn and dirt on his head.
2 Samuel 15:32 nlt
When David reached the summit of the Mount of Olives where people worshiped God, Hushai the Arkite was waiting there for him. Hushai had torn his clothing and put dirt on his head as a sign of mourning.
2 Samuel 15 32 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Sam 15:31 | "And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators... David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness." | David's prayer that precedes God's immediate response. |
| 2 Sam 17:14 | "For the LORD had appointed to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel..." | God's direct orchestration to thwart a wicked plan. |
| Ps 3:4 | "I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill." | David's personal experience of prayer answered from Mount Zion/holy place during this time. |
| Ps 34:17 | "The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles." | God's general promise to hear the prayers of the righteous. |
| Isa 65:24 | "And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear." | God's readiness and swiftness in responding to prayer. |
| Dan 10:12 | "...thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words." | An immediate response from heaven to prayer. |
| 1 Cor 1:27-28 | "But God hath chosen the foolish things... and base things... to confound the wise..." | God using seemingly humble or unlikely means to achieve His purposes. |
| Prov 21:1 | "The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will." | God's sovereign control over human decisions, even those of kings/rulers. |
| Job 5:12 | "He frustrateth the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform their enterprise." | God's ability to nullify cunning and malicious plans. |
| 2 Chr 16:9 | "For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him." | God actively intervenes on behalf of those faithful to Him. |
| Zec 4:6 | "...Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts." | God accomplishes His will through His Spirit, not merely human strength. |
| Ps 42:1-2 | "As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God..." | David's deep longing for God in distress, akin to his worship at the mountaintop. |
| Ps 63:1 | "O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee in a dry and thirsty land..." | Seeking God passionately amidst difficult circumstances. |
| Phil 4:6-7 | "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication... with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." | Instruction to bring all anxieties and needs to God in prayer. |
| 1 Pet 5:6 | "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time." | Principle of humility preceding God's lifting up. |
| Jas 4:10 | "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up." | Direct teaching on humility leading to divine exaltation. |
| Prov 17:17 | "A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." | The essence of loyal friendship in times of trouble. |
| Job 6:14 | "To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend..." | The responsibility of friends to show compassion to the suffering. |
| Ruth 1:16 | "Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go..." | An example of unwavering loyalty and commitment. |
| Job 1:20 | "Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped..." | Similar actions of worship and rending garments in extreme grief. |
| Jer 6:26 | "O daughter of my people, gird thee with sackcloth, and wallow thyself in ashes: make thee mourning, as for an only son..." | Describes the custom of using dust/ashes in profound mourning. |
| Lam 2:10 | "The elders of the daughter of Zion sit upon the ground, and keep silence: they have cast up dust upon their heads..." | Demonstrates the widespread custom of applying dust/earth in lament. |
2 Samuel 15 verses
2 Samuel 15 32 Meaning
2 Samuel 15:32 recounts a pivotal moment during David's flight from Absalom's rebellion. As King David reached the summit of a mountain, identified as the Mount of Olives, and paused to worship God in his deep distress, his loyal friend and counselor, Hushai the Archite, unexpectedly arrived. Hushai appeared in customary attire for deep mourning and despair—with his clothes torn and earth sprinkled on his head—signifying his profound grief and solidarity with David. This encounter illustrates divine providence as an immediate answer to David's preceding prayer (2 Sam 15:31) for God to thwart Ahithophel's treacherous counsel, initiating a critical turn in the narrative and setting the stage for Hushai's vital role in counteracting Absalom's plans.
2 Samuel 15 32 Context
This verse is situated at a critical juncture in the narrative of Absalom's rebellion against King David (2 Sam 13-18). Having learned of his son's betrayal and the widespread defection of the people, David chooses to flee Jerusalem rather than fight within the city, avoiding bloodshed and protecting the ark of God. Verse 30 describes David's ascent of the Mount of Olives (implied as "the mount") in a state of profound grief and humility—weeping, his head covered, and walking barefoot. In verse 31, upon hearing that Ahithophel, his former trusted counselor and now a chief architect of Absalom's rebellion, has joined the conspiracy, David offers a specific, desperate prayer: "O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness." Verse 32 immediately follows, illustrating God's swift and direct response to this prayer. The appearance of Hushai, distressed but loyal, on this mountaintop signifies a crucial providential turning point, highlighting that even in deep crisis, God acts on behalf of His anointed, often through unexpected means.
2 Samuel 15 32 Word analysis
- And it came to pass (וַיְהִי wa-yə-hî): A very common Hebrew narrative connective, literally "and it was." It often signals the unfolding of events and can carry a subtle emphasis on divine timing or a significant development in the narrative, suggesting that what follows is purposeful.
- David (דָּוִד Dāwiḏ): The anointed King of Israel, now stripped of royal dignity and fleeing, emphasizing his profound humility and dependence on God rather than his own power.
- to the top of the mount (רֹאשׁ הָהָר rōš hā-hār): Literally "head of the mountain." This refers to the Mount of Olives (also known as the Mount of Ascension), which overlooks Jerusalem from the east. The location is deeply significant, often associated with prayer, revelation, and later, the Lord Jesus' final teachings, agony, and ascension. David's ascent in distress evokes a profound spiritual journey and a turning point.
- where he worshipped God (אֲשֶׁר יִשְׁתַּחֲוֶה לֵאלֹהִים ’ă-šer yišt-tahă-weh lē-lō-hîm): "Worshipped" is from the verb shachah (שָׁחָה), meaning "to bow down, prostrate oneself, do obeisance." It indicates deep reverence, submission, and humility. David's first action at the summit, despite his grief and crisis, is to seek God in worship. This act underscores his trust and dependence on the divine in his hour of deepest need.
- behold (וְהִנֵּה wə-hin-nêh): An interjection or particle often translated as "look," "lo," or "see!" It serves to draw the reader's attention to an unexpected or important occurrence. Here, it highlights the sudden and divinely opportune appearance of Hushai.
- Hushai the Archite (חוּשַׁי הָאַרְכִּי Ḥūšay hā-’Arkî): Hushai was one of David's loyal inner circle of friends and counselors (1 Chr 27:33). "The Archite" identifies him by his geographical origin, likely from Erech near Bethel. His prompt arrival emphasizes his steadfast loyalty and willingness to stand with David in adversity.
- came to meet him (לִקְרָאתוֹ liq-rā-ṯōw): Literally "to his meeting," suggesting an intentional and direct approach. Hushai sought David out, indicating proactive loyalty.
- with his coat rent (קָרוּעַ בְּגָדָיו qā-rū-a‘ bə-ḡā-ḏāw): "Rent his clothes" (qara‘ קָרַע) was a traditional outward expression of extreme grief, sorrow, distress, or sometimes anger, common in ancient Israel and the Near East (Gen 37:34, Josh 7:6, 1 Sam 4:12). It shows Hushai's deep mourning and identification with David's suffering.
- and earth upon his head (וַאֲדָמָה עַל רֹאשׁוֹ wa-’ă-ḏā-māh ‘al rō-šōw): An ancient custom indicating deep humiliation, distress, and lamentation. Dust or earth on the head was poured or sprinkled as a public demonstration of grief (1 Sam 4:12, Job 2:12, Lam 2:10). This further underscores Hushai's empathy and commitment to David, showcasing genuine solidarity.
- David... where he worshipped God, behold, Hushai... came to meet him: This sequence reveals the direct correlation between David's prayer (v. 31) and God's immediate answer. While David is still actively engaged in seeking God, the solution appears. The worshipping attitude sets the stage for divine intervention.
- Hushai the Archite... with his coat rent, and earth upon his head: The visual depiction of Hushai's mourning signifies not only his deep personal anguish but also his absolute allegiance to David. This display would make him believable and acceptable to Absalom, a crucial element for the divine strategy to defeat Ahithophel's counsel.
2 Samuel 15 32 Bonus section
- Mount of Olives Significance: David's journey over the Mount of Olives during his flight finds a powerful parallel, or typology, in the future life of Jesus. Jesus frequently taught and prayed on the Mount of Olives (Luke 21:37, 22:39), went there before His arrest (Matt 26:30), and it is prophesied as the location of His return (Zech 14:4, Acts 1:12). David's sorrowful, humble procession over this mount foreshadows the Greater Son of David's own suffering and humility.
- David's Full Humiliation: The prior verses (2 Sam 15:30) describe David's appearance: "with his head covered, and he went barefoot," signifying deep mourning, humility, and submission. This public display of royal abasement is important. In the ancient Near East, a king would normally project power; David's condition, weeping and uncovered, starkly illustrated his absolute brokenness before God. This context makes Hushai's identical posture of grief (rent clothes, earth on head) even more impactful, signaling total identification and loyalty.
- Ahithophel as the Primary Threat: David's specific prayer regarding Ahithophel in verse 31 indicates the immense threat Ahithophel's counsel posed. He was renowned for his sagacity (2 Sam 16:23), and defeating his wisdom required divine intervention, not just human ingenuity. Hushai's immediate appearance and subsequent task (2 Sam 15:34) serve as the direct answer to this critical prayer, ensuring Ahithophel's destructive advice would be frustrated.
2 Samuel 15 32 Commentary
2 Samuel 15:32 captures a profoundly theological and strategic moment. After crying out to God to confound Ahithophel's wise counsel, David's prayer is met with immediate divine provision. The arrival of Hushai, a loyal confidante, in the very act of David's worship, highlights God's sovereignty and attentiveness to His people's prayers in their deepest despair. Hushai's state of mourning—rent clothes and earth on his head—was a powerful visual cue, underscoring his empathy for David's plight and serving as a disguise for the mission God had for him. This divine orchestration, introducing Hushai as God's instrument to counter Absalom's strategic advantage, demonstrates that even in the midst of seemingly overwhelming betrayal and defeat, God is actively working behind the scenes for the ultimate good of His faithful servants and His eternal plan. The verse teaches that our darkest moments of humble worship can be the very portals for God's surprising and specific interventions.