2 Samuel 19 10

2 Samuel 19:10 kjv

And Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. Now therefore why speak ye not a word of bringing the king back?

2 Samuel 19:10 nkjv

But Absalom, whom we anointed over us, has died in battle. Now therefore, why do you say nothing about bringing back the king?"

2 Samuel 19:10 niv

and Absalom, whom we anointed to rule over us, has died in battle. So why do you say nothing about bringing the king back?"

2 Samuel 19:10 esv

But Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. Now therefore why do you say nothing about bringing the king back?"

2 Samuel 19:10 nlt

Now Absalom, whom we anointed to rule over us, is dead. Why not ask David to come back and be our king again?"

2 Samuel 19 verses

2 Samuel 19 10 Meaning

2 Samuel 19:10 describes the moment of public realization and strategic contemplation among the tribes of Israel after the defeat and death of Absalom, the rebellious son who had usurped David's throne. The verse highlights their acknowledgement of Absalom's demise, contrasting it with their prior collective act of anointing him as their king. It then expresses a shared rhetorical question, urging action and questioning their inaction in bringing the divinely appointed King David back to his rightful place as monarch, thereby signaling a shift in national sentiment and a recognition of the rebellion's failure.

2 Samuel 19 10 Context

This verse is situated immediately after Absalom's rebellion has been brutally quelled by Joab's forces. David, though victorious, mourns deeply for his dead son, leading to a public display of grief that alienates his loyal army and threatens national morale. Joab confronts David about his conduct, warning of a potential collapse of his kingship if he does not show appreciation to his victorious troops. Following this confrontation (or perhaps as a direct consequence of the news spreading), a political void and moral vacuum settle over the tribes of Israel who had previously sided with Absalom. These tribes now realize the consequences of their rebellious choices and the practical need to restore stable governance. This verse encapsulates their collective shift in allegiance, recognizing their fatal error in backing Absalom and the urgent need to reinstate the legitimate king, David, whom they had momentarily forsaken. It represents the crucial moment of the nation considering reconciliation and reunification under its rightful leader.

2 Samuel 19 10 Word analysis

• And Absalom: (Heb. וְאַבְשָׁלֹום - və'Avshalom). The conjunction "And" connects this thought to the ongoing political aftermath. "Absalom" means "my father is peace" or "father of peace," which is deeply ironic given his violent rebellion, filial betrayal, and the chaos he caused in Israel. His name itself underscores the tragic nature of the civil war.
• whom we anointed over us: (Heb. אֲשֶׁר־מָשַׁחְנוּ אֹתֹו עָלֵינוּ - ’asher-mashachnu ’oto ’aleinu).
  • whom we anointed: (אֲשֶׁר־מָשַׁחְנוּ - ’asher-mashachnu). The verb "anointed" (מָשַׁח - mashach) is the same term used for the divinely sanctioned anointing of kings like Saul and David. Its use here for Absalom highlights the profound usurpation. This was an illegitimate anointing, done by the people's will rather than God's. It signifies a national consensus—at least among many—to elevate a rebel. It represents a human-chosen king in defiance of a God-chosen king.
  • over us: (אֹתֹו עָלֵינוּ - ’oto ’aleinu). Emphasizes the popular but misguided nature of their act, showcasing collective culpability. It underscores their active participation in the rebellion, taking ownership of a destructive decision.
• has died: (Heb. מֵת - met). A stark, definitive statement. His death is undeniable and signals the absolute end of the rebellion and the stability it promised. It signifies the removal of the false claimant and opens the way for the rightful king's return.
• in battle: (Heb. בַּמִּלְחָמָה - bam·milchamah). Specifies the context of his demise—a military defeat that cements the end of his illegitimate reign. It reinforces that his kingship was ultimately unsustainable, collapsing under military conflict.
• So now: (Heb. וְעַתָּה - ve‘attah). A transitional phrase indicating a turning point or a call to action based on the preceding information. It conveys urgency and directs the focus to the immediate next step.
• why are you silent: (Heb. לָמָּה אַתֶּם מַחֲשִׁים - lamah ’attem machashim).
  • why: (לָמָּה - lamah). A rhetorical question expressing incredulity and impatience. It challenges the inaction of the very people who had anointed Absalom.
  • are you silent: (אַתֶּם מַחֲשִׁים - ’attem machashim). From the root חָשַׁשׁ (chashash) meaning to keep quiet, to be inactive or inert. It implies passivity, hesitancy, or fear after a decisive event. It's a critique of their current inertia, urging them to move past their indecision and take action.
• about bringing the king back? (Heb. לְהָשִׁיב אֶת־הַמֶּלֶךְ - lehashiv ’et-hammelekh).
  • bringing back: (לְהָשִׁיב - lehashiv). The verb is shuv, meaning "to return," or "to bring back." It implies restoration to a rightful place. It signals the desired outcome: the return of legitimacy and order.
  • the king: (הַמֶּלֶךְ - hammelekh). Refers to David, the legitimate, divinely appointed monarch, contrasted with the usurper Absalom. This confirms the renewed recognition of David's authority.

2 Samuel 19 10 Bonus section

The verse reveals the fluctuating nature of public opinion and loyalty in ancient Israel, especially during periods of political instability. The tribes who had eagerly joined Absalom's rebellion and participated in his "anointing" now show readiness to quickly pivot back to David. This indicates that their allegiance was often more pragmatic than deeply ideological or theological. Their "anointing" of Absalom highlights a dangerous trend in Israelite history: a willingness to choose their own leaders based on popular appeal or immediate perceived advantage, even when it directly contradicted God's established order. The question "why are you silent" also serves as an implicit social pressure, pushing others within the collective who might still be hesitant or undecided to fall in line with the emergent consensus for David's return.

2 Samuel 19 10 Commentary

This verse encapsulates the strategic recalculation of the northern tribes (represented as "Israel" in many accounts of this period, distinct from Judah, though it applies to all who had aligned with Absalom). They confront the reality of Absalom's death and the total failure of their rebellion. The phrase "whom we anointed over us" is a crucial acknowledgment of their corporate guilt and misguided agency in anointing an illegitimate ruler. This was not a divine anointing but a human-orchestrated one, born of political discontent and tribal rivalries, a grave error that brought national crisis. The rhetorical question "why are you silent about bringing the king back?" serves multiple purposes. It acts as a public shaming of their collective inaction, an urgent call for repentance in political terms, and a strategic proposal to re-establish legitimate rule. It signifies a shift from rebellious fervor to practical considerations of peace and governance, realizing that only the true king could bring stability. This moment sets the stage for David's complex journey back to Jerusalem and the efforts at national reconciliation.