2 Samuel 15 9

2 Samuel 15:9 kjv

And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron.

2 Samuel 15:9 nkjv

And the king said to him, "Go in peace." So he arose and went to Hebron.

2 Samuel 15:9 niv

The king said to him, "Go in peace." So he went to Hebron.

2 Samuel 15:9 esv

The king said to him, "Go in peace." So he arose and went to Hebron.

2 Samuel 15:9 nlt

"All right," the king told him. "Go and fulfill your vow." So Absalom went to Hebron.

2 Samuel 15 verses

2 Samuel 15 9 Meaning

In 2 Samuel 15:9, King David, seemingly unaware of Absalom's true intentions, grants his son permission to leave Jerusalem for Hebron, stating, "Go in peace." This seemingly benign phrase, a common farewell or blessing, carries profound irony as it enables Absalom's well-laid plans for rebellion and sets in motion a period of profound distress and conflict for David and the nation of Israel. It represents David's trusting, perhaps naive, approval of what Absalom presented as a sincere religious vow, unknowingly greenlighting the betrayal that would disrupt his reign and threaten his life.

2 Samuel 15 9 Context

This verse is a pivotal moment in the dramatic narrative of Absalom's rebellion against his father, King David. Prior to this, for four years (v.7), Absalom had diligently cultivated his image as a compassionate, just, and accessible leader, subtly undermining David's authority and winning the affection of the people of Israel by presenting himself as an alternative source of justice (v.1-6).

In 2 Samuel 15:7-8, Absalom requests permission from David to go to Hebron, claiming he needs to fulfill a vow to the Lord that he made while in Geshur (where he had fled after murdering Amnon). This religious pretense served as the perfect cover for his treacherous plan. Hebron held significant symbolic value, being David's first capital where he was anointed king of Judah before uniting all Israel. This location provided Absalom with a strategic base and legitimacy for his own anointing.

David's response in verse 9, "Go in peace," reflects his trust, or perhaps weariness from previous familial strife (Amnon, Tamar). He grants permission, likely seeing it as a sincere act of piety, completely oblivious to the depth of Absalom's cunning and the widespread conspiracy (v.10-12) that was already set in motion to declare Absalom king in Hebron. This trust, coupled with David's initial slow reaction, leads directly to David's hasty flight from Jerusalem in the subsequent verses.

Historically and culturally, making a vow to the Lord was a serious religious obligation. Absalom's manipulation of this sacred custom demonstrates his profound hypocrisy and the deceptive lengths to which he was willing to go to seize power. His actions would have been viewed as a severe affront to the king's authority, filial loyalty, and the nation's stability.

2 Samuel 15 9 Word analysis

• So: This transitional conjunction connects Absalom's deceptive request in the preceding verses to David's response, showing direct cause and effect. It indicates the immediate follow-up action.
• the king (הַמֶּלֶךְ, ha-melekh): Refers to David. The definite article emphasizes his role and authority. It highlights David's official capacity, yet also his vulnerability as a father unsuspecting of his son's malice. The irony is poignant; the legitimate king blesses the one plotting his overthrow.
• said (וַיֹּאמֶר, vayyomer): The Hebrew consecutive imperfect, commonly translated as "and he said," denotes a simple, direct statement.
• to him (אֵלָיו, 'elayv): Refers specifically to Absalom. This direct address underscores the personal nature of the exchange between father and son, amplifying the tragedy of the impending betrayal.
• Go (לֵךְ, lekh): This is an imperative form of the Hebrew verb הָלַךְ (halakh), meaning "to go," "to walk," or "to proceed." In this context, it functions as a clear permission or directive from David, giving Absalom the literal and symbolic green light for his journey. It implies no hesitation or objection from David.
• in peace (בְּשָׁלוֹם, b'shalom):
  • בְּ (b'): A preposition meaning "in," "with," "by."
  • שָׁלוֹם (shalom): This crucial Hebrew word signifies more than just the absence of conflict. It encompasses completeness, wholeness, well-being, prosperity, security, and tranquility.
    • Significance: David undoubtedly used shalom in its full sense, wishing his son a safe and prosperous journey and the successful fulfillment of his (purportedly) pious vow. It's a genuine blessing, characteristic of the paternal bond.
    • Irony: The profound irony lies in the stark contrast between David's heartfelt wish for peace and Absalom's true objective. Absalom's journey will not lead to shalom but to violent upheaval, war, betrayal, and deep suffering for David and the nation. David, seeking his son's shalom, unwittingly opens the door to lo-shalom (non-peace, chaos) for his entire kingdom and household.
    • Cultural Aspect: "Go in peace" was a common biblical farewell, a wish for well-being (e.g., Exod 4:18; 1 Sam 1:17; 2 Kgs 5:19). David's usage here is consistent with a normal, unclouded paternal benediction.
• Words-group by words-group analysis:
  • "So the king said to him": This phrase immediately frames the interaction within the established authority structure. It is David, the divinely appointed king, who speaks, yet his position is paradoxically undermined by the very person he addresses.
  • "'Go in peace.'": This complete phrase, an idiomatic expression of blessing and farewell, is at the heart of the irony. It encapsulates David's trust and genuine paternal affection versus Absalom's manipulative cunning. The king’s peaceful word releases a storm of conflict. This blessing inadvertently facilitates an act of profound disrespect and rebellion against the king, highlighting the devastating effect of unchecked ambition veiled in false piety. This scene also foreshadows the deep suffering David is about to endure, much of which emanates from the internal strife of his own family, fulfilling prophecies about the consequences of his own past sins (2 Sam 12:10-12).

2 Samuel 15 9 Bonus section

• David's Blind Spot: The passage implies a significant blind spot in David, despite his general wisdom. While he had previously struggled to manage his family (evidenced in Amnon's crime and Absalom's return), here he appears completely unaware of the political currents Absalom has orchestrated for years. This suggests the effectiveness of Absalom's manipulation and the personal cost of high office.
• Perversion of Piety: Absalom's use of a "vow to the Lord" for treacherous purposes is a strong thematic point. It showcases how religious observance can be a mask for profound wickedness and political ambition, serving as a warning against outward religiosity without inner integrity.
• Tragedy of the Father-Son Dynamic: This verse is central to one of the most tragic father-son conflicts in the Bible. David, who has shown compassion and sought reconciliation with Absalom in the past, now inadvertently sanctions his son's destructive path, leading to deep personal agony for the king and instability for the nation.
• God's Hand in Human Events: While Absalom's actions are driven by his own will, the subsequent events align with the prophecy given by Nathan in 2 Samuel 12:10-12 concerning the "evil" that would arise against David from within his own house. Thus, David's permissive word, Absalom's rebellion, and its consequences can be seen as playing out within the sovereign plan of God.

2 Samuel 15 9 Commentary

2 Samuel 15:9 captures a moment of dramatic irony, as King David's sincere wish for "peace" unknowingly becomes the catalyst for a full-scale rebellion initiated by his own son. Absalom's elaborate ruse, couched in religious piety (a vow to the Lord in Hebron), was masterfully executed to gain his father's blessing for his treacherous plot. David's response, a common Hebrew farewell implying well-being and safe passage, reflects either his unsuspecting nature, perhaps worn down by previous family traumas, or a weary paternal indulgence. It's a poignant portrayal of a father's trust tragically misplaced. This seemingly innocuous verse is the gate through which civil war enters David's reign, bringing about immense suffering and fulfilling divine judgment on David's household for his past sins. The depth of Absalom's deceit is magnified by David's pure intentions, creating a stark contrast between authentic devotion and manipulative hypocrisy, illustrating how even sacred practices can be perverted for selfish ends.