2 Samuel 15 5

2 Samuel 15:5 kjv

And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him.

2 Samuel 15:5 nkjv

And so it was, whenever anyone came near to bow down to him, that he would put out his hand and take him and kiss him.

2 Samuel 15:5 niv

Also, whenever anyone approached him to bow down before him, Absalom would reach out his hand, take hold of him and kiss him.

2 Samuel 15:5 esv

And whenever a man came near to pay homage to him, he would put out his hand and take hold of him and kiss him.

2 Samuel 15:5 nlt

When people tried to bow before him, Absalom wouldn't let them. Instead, he took them by the hand and kissed them.

2 Samuel 15 verses

2 Samuel 15 5 Meaning

2 Samuel 15:5 describes Absalom's strategic and manipulative approach to undermine King David's authority. Instead of allowing people to show him the traditional homage and deference expected towards a prince or high official (by bowing down), he would proactively prevent their obeisance. By reaching out, taking hold of them, and kissing them, Absalom feigned humility, affection, and personal connection. This action was a calculated move to cultivate loyalty to himself personally, fostering an image of approachability and care, in direct contrast to how a king's son or future ruler might typically be approached, thereby subverting royal protocol and subtly diminishing respect for the existing monarch. It was a step in his meticulously planned usurpation of his father's throne.

2 Samuel 15 5 Context

2 Samuel 15:5 is a pivotal verse within the narrative of Absalom's rebellion against his father, King David. The verses preceding it (2 Sam 15:1-4) describe Absalom's systematic plan: acquiring chariots and horsemen, sitting at the city gate where legal disputes were heard, intercepting those seeking justice, and discrediting the king's administration by suggesting David lacked a suitable representative to hear their cases. Absalom cunningly positioned himself as the people's champion and a more attentive, empathetic alternative to the seemingly distant royal court. Verse 5 is the climax of this stage of his "campaign," demonstrating his personal charm and false humility used to win over the hearts of the people, turning their loyalty from David to himself. This deeply personal subversion of respect directly fueled the momentum of his conspiracy, leading directly to the widespread defection of the people from David described later in the chapter. The historical and cultural context highlights the significance of the gate as a place of judgment and royal presence, making Absalom's actions there a direct affront and usurpation of David's authority.

2 Samuel 15 5 Word analysis

• And when any man came near: This highlights Absalom's open accessibility and the indiscriminate nature of his appeal. He did not restrict his attention to the nobility or the powerful, but welcomed "any man," which further suggests his desire to garner widespread popular support. This also emphasizes his tireless effort, as he must have done this repeatedly.

• to bow down (לְהִשְׁתַּחֲוֺת, l'hishtachavot): From the root shachah, meaning to prostrate oneself, to do obeisance, or worship. In this context, it refers to an act of homage, respect, and submission traditionally shown to kings, princes, or those in authority. Absalom's intercepting this gesture was a symbolic rejection of the traditional protocol of deference to authority, positioning himself as "one of them" rather than an object of their reverence.

• to him: Emphasizes that the reverence was being directed towards Absalom, indicating that people were already beginning to see him as a figure of authority or leadership, likely encouraged by his prior machinations.

• he would put out his hand: A proactive, initiating gesture on Absalom's part. Instead of passively receiving their homage, he actively intervened, signifying a breaking of protocol and a desire to control the interaction.

• and take hold of him: This physical contact further personalizes the interaction, creating a direct, seemingly intimate bond. It conveys a sense of stopping their gesture of subservience and pulling them into a closer relationship, feigning equality.

• and kiss him (וַיִּשַּׁק־לוֹ, vayyishaq-lo): A common ancient Near Eastern greeting indicating affection, familiarity, and brotherhood. However, coming from a prince to a commoner in the context of intercepted homage, it served to flatten the social hierarchy. This action, a calculated performance, disarmed the individual, fostering a sense of warmth and personal connection that superseded their official allegiance to the king. It was an embrace designed to secure loyalty to himself rather than reflecting true humility or selfless love, an act of "flattery by physical embrace."

• "came near to bow down to him, he would put out his hand and take hold of him and kiss him": This entire sequence of actions is a deliberate and artful subversion of social and political norms. It perfectly illustrates Absalom's manipulative charisma. By interrupting the standard practice of obeisance and replacing it with a seemingly humble and affectionate gesture, Absalom created an illusion of accessibility and equality, cleverly winning over the hearts of the common people. This strategy effectively bypassed the traditional structures of loyalty to the monarchy by creating a personal, emotional bond directly with himself, the aspiring usurper.

2 Samuel 15 5 Bonus section

The Hebrew verb shachah (to bow down) can sometimes imply an act of worship. While not direct worship in this context, Absalom's interception of l'hishtachavot (to bow down) still carries a subtle resonance. He was effectively saying, "Do not defer to me as you would to a sacred office holder (like the king who is God's anointed), but see me as a brother." This lowered the bar for interaction, but also subtly diminished the sacred aspect of David's kingship in the eyes of the people. This was a critical element in his usurper's playbook, effectively de-sanctifying the existing monarchical authority by his apparent humility. His "kiss" was a calculated deception, contrasting sharply with the pure and honest embrace seen in other biblical contexts, highlighting his intent to steal hearts, not serve them (2 Sam 15:6).

2 Samuel 15 5 Commentary

2 Samuel 15:5 offers a profound insight into the mechanics of political subversion and the danger of superficial charisma. Absalom, endowed with beauty and persuasive cunning, masterfully employed flattery and feigned humility to undermine King David's reign. His refusal to accept the customary bowing from the people, replacing it with a personal embrace and a kiss, was not an act of genuine humility but a sophisticated ploy. It resonated deeply with a populace perhaps feeling disconnected from the formal structures of royal power or slighted by a perception of neglected justice.

This seemingly benign gesture skillfully cultivated a personal loyalty to Absalom himself, rather than to the established office of kingship. He was, in effect, performing a calculated public relations campaign, presenting himself as approachable, caring, and intimately concerned with the common man's plight, contrasting sharply with the formal, somewhat detached image of kingship. This shrewd political maneuvering demonstrates how manipulative leaders can exploit public sentiment and bypass traditional authority through insincere gestures, winning popular favor with "smooth talk and flattery" (Rom 16:18) rather than genuine righteousness or true service. The tragic outcome of Absalom's rebellion underscores that such charisma, devoid of integrity and respect for divine authority, ultimately leads to ruin.