2 Samuel 15:6 kjv
And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
2 Samuel 15:6 nkjv
In this manner Absalom acted toward all Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
2 Samuel 15:6 niv
Absalom behaved in this way toward all the Israelites who came to the king asking for justice, and so he stole the hearts of the people of Israel.
2 Samuel 15:6 esv
Thus Absalom did to all of Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
2 Samuel 15:6 nlt
Absalom did this with everyone who came to the king for judgment, and so he stole the hearts of all the people of Israel.
2 Samuel 15 6 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Sam 15:2-5 | Absalom would rise early... "Oh that I were judge in the land!... I would grant him justice!" | Absalom's public relations campaign and feigned desire for justice. |
| 2 Sam 16:1-4 | Ziba... brought two hundred loaves of bread... "David, your servant, and all... the king's house" | The deception of Ziba, exploiting David's vulnerable state for personal gain. |
| Prov 11:3 | The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them. | The destructive nature of treachery and crooked ways, exemplified by Absalom. |
| Prov 26:28 | A lying tongue hates those it crushes, and a flattering mouth works ruin. | Flattery leading to destruction and deceit. |
| Ps 55:21 | His mouth was smoother than butter, but war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords. | Treacherous speech that hides malicious intent, like Absalom's. |
| Jer 17:9 | The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? | Human heart's propensity for deception and evil. |
| Matt 24:24 | For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. | Deceptive figures leading many astray with powerful claims. |
| Rom 16:18 | For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. | Deceptive speech used to sway the simple-minded for selfish gain. |
| 2 Pet 2:3 | And in their greed these teachers will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation has long been impending... | Exploiting others through manipulative and false rhetoric. |
| Ps 41:9 | Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me. | Betrayal by a trusted confidant, relevant to David and Absalom. |
| Ps 3:1-2 | O LORD, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me; many are saying of my soul, "There is no salvation for him in God." | David's numerous enemies and the internal threats he faced. |
| Gen 3:1-5 | Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field... "You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it..." | The original act of subtle deception and temptation that turned hearts. |
| John 6:70-71 | Jesus answered them, "Did I not choose you, the Twelve? And yet one of you is a devil." He spoke of Judas Iscariot... | Betrayal from within one's own circle through deceit. |
| 1 Thess 2:3-5 | For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive... nor did we come with words of flattery... | Contrast between sincere ministry and deceptive flattery. |
| Col 2:4 | I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. | Warning against deceptive and plausible rhetoric that leads astray. |
| Luke 12:1 | Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. | Hypocrisy and hidden deception as a corrupting influence. |
| Ezra 7:26 | Whoever will not obey the law of your God... let judgment be strictly executed... | Emphasizes the need for legitimate judgment, which Absalom undermined. |
| Judges 9:1-6 | Abimelech son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem... "Is it better for you that all seventy of the sons of Jerubbaal rule over you... or that one man rule over you?" | Another example of a power grab through manipulation and deception. |
| 1 Sam 8:5-7 | "Give us a king to judge us like all the nations."... The LORD said to Samuel, "Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me..." | People's tendency to reject legitimate authority for a more appealing alternative. |
| Matt 10:16 | "Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves." | Warning against cunning individuals like Absalom. |
| Phil 3:18-19 | For many... live as enemies of the cross of Christ... Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. | Those who live for self-gratification, causing division and destruction. |
| 1 John 4:1 | Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. | Call for discernment against deceptive influences. |
2 Samuel 15 verses
2 Samuel 15 6 Meaning
This verse concisely describes Absalom's cunning strategy to usurp his father King David's throne. It signifies his subtle, deceptive, and successful manipulation of the Israelite people, turning their allegiance away from their rightful king by stealth and flattery rather than by overt force at this initial stage. Absalom covertly cultivated popular support, establishing himself as a more appealing figure for justice and leadership.
2 Samuel 15 6 Context
The events of 2 Samuel 15:6 unfold as a direct consequence of Absalom's protracted resentment and vengeful heart following the rape of his sister Tamar by Amnon, and David's delayed, inadequate justice. Absalom, having previously taken Amnon's life, spent three years in exile and another two years in Jerusalem alienated from David. Instead of direct confrontation, he systematically built a loyal following. Chapters 14 and 15 detail his strategic actions: standing at the city gate, intercepting petitioners, feigning sympathy, disparaging the royal justice system, and implying he could offer better governance. This deliberate and protracted campaign, occurring over approximately four years, subtly undermined David's rule. Culturally, the city gate was a place of judgment and public discourse; Absalom's presence there was a calculated move to portray himself as a champion of the people against the king's perceived neglect of justice, laying the groundwork for a full-scale rebellion.
2 Samuel 15 6 Word analysis
- So (וַיְהִי֮ - wayhî): This conjunction often indicates consequence or continuation of previous events, linking Absalom's previous actions (positioning himself at the gate, offering false justice, flattering) to this outcome. It shows a direct result of his efforts.
- Absalom (אַבְשָׁלֹ֑ום - ʾAḇšālôm): His name means "father of peace" or "my father is peace," which ironically contrasts sharply with his divisive and violent actions, creating deep conflict for his own father and the nation. His actions prove the antithesis of his name.
- stole (וַיְגַנֵּ֨ב - wayḡannēḇ): From the root גָּנַב (gānab), meaning "to steal" or "to sneak away with." Here, it's not physical theft but the illicit and deceptive seizure of affection and allegiance. It implies stealth, cunning, and an underhanded taking of something not rightfully his. It's an insidious and dishonest acquisition, highlighting his manipulative nature.
- the hearts (אֶת־לֵ֧ב - ʾeṯ-lēḇ): "Heart" (לֵב - lēḇ) in biblical Hebrew refers to the innermost being, the seat of intellect, will, emotion, and loyalty. Stealing the "hearts" signifies a deep, internal turning of affection and allegiance, not just outward compliance or temporary support. It's a fundamental change in loyalty.
- of the men of Israel (אִישׁ יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ - ʾîš Yiśrāʾēl): "Men" (אִישׁ - ʾîš) emphasizes individuals, and "Israel" (יִשְׂרָאֵל - Yiśrāʾēl) refers to the entire nation, particularly the populace. This shows his widespread influence across the population, not just a small faction. It was a successful nationwide campaign of emotional and political subversion.
Words-group analysis:
- "So Absalom stole": This phrase highlights Absalom's proactive, calculated, and underhanded initiative. He was the aggressor, subtly working to undermine established authority. The "stealing" indicates a process of cunning deceit.
- "stole the hearts": This is the core action. It means Absalom didn't conquer them by force, nor did he win them by legitimate means. Instead, he subtly shifted their deepest allegiances and affections away from David, effectively orchestrating an internal coup of sentiment.
- "stole the hearts of the men of Israel": This complete phrase emphasizes the broad, pervasive, and insidious nature of Absalom's deception. He corrupted the fundamental loyalty of the entire nation towards their God-appointed king through manipulative actions, showing how an entire populace can be swayed by charisma and false promises rather than discernment.
2 Samuel 15 6 Bonus section
The Hebrew word gānab (to steal) employed here is significant because it is often used for physical theft but here applied to emotions/allegiance, indicating that a king's legitimate authority and the people's loyalty are as tangible and valuable as any physical possession, and their illicit acquisition is equally a violation. Absalom's method was not revolutionary fervor from an oppressed people, but a top-down subversion initiated by an ambitious prince exploiting his position and a populace susceptible to demagoguery. This situation highlights the inherent dangers of personal ambition unmoored from integrity and divine appointment, contrasting Absalom's deceptive self-promotion with the path of a true servant leader. The outcome was tragic, demonstrating how even a "stolen heart" can lead to national trauma and bloodshed.
2 Samuel 15 6 Commentary
2 Samuel 15:6 serves as the culmination and summation of Absalom's long-term strategy of manipulation and deceit. Having set himself up at the city gate, intercepting common people, listening to their grievances, offering false empathy, and implicitly (and likely explicitly, per the earlier verses in the chapter) criticizing the king's administration for a lack of timely justice, Absalom effectively became the people's champion. This verse marks the success of his subtle, systematic propaganda. It wasn't an army he mustered first, but hearts. He recognized that true power lay in popular support and he achieved it through flattery, feigned concern, and a facade of integrity. This "stealing" of hearts signifies a profound moral corruption within the kingdom, as loyalty and discernment were traded for perceived quick fixes and charismatic appeal. It warns against the dangers of seeking popular approval through manipulation rather than righteous leadership and justice.
- Example 1: A public leader uses charisma and grand promises to garner votes, discreetly avoiding addressing complex societal issues, effectively stealing the "hearts" of the populace with attractive but unsustainable solutions.
- Example 2: In a community, an individual consistently speaks ill of authority figures, positions themselves as a sympathetic listener to all complaints, and subtly encourages dissent, thereby eroding trust and allegiance over time.