2 Samuel Chapter 15 Summary - Key Points & Themes

Read 2 Samuel Chapter 15 Summary

Absalom acquires a chariot with horses and fifty runners; standing at the gate, he intercepts litigants, laments the lack of justice, and wins Israelites' hearts over four years, saying 'Oh that I were judge!' Claiming to fulfill a vow, he goes to Hebron and sends secret messengers throughout Israel; a conspiracy grows strong. When David hears Absalom has been proclaimed king in Hebron, he flees Jerusalem to save the city from destruction, leaving ten concubines to keep the palace. The ark is returned to the city with Zadok and Abiathar as intelligence sources. On the Mount of Olives, Hushai the Archite is sent back to feign loyalty to Absalom and defeat Ahithophel's counsel.

Original

Characters in This Chapter

David

King of Israel whose reign is chronicled with both triumphs and failures

Bathsheba

Woman with whom David committed adultery, later mother of Solomon

Nathan

Prophet who confronted David about his sin and delivered God's covenant

Absalom

David's son who rebelled and tried to take the throne

Joab

David's military commander, loyal but sometimes ruthless

Jonathan

Faithful Friend of David

Places in This Chapter

Jerusalem

Captured by David and established as Israel's capital and spiritual center

Hebron

David's capital for the first seven years of his reign over Judah

Mount Moriah

Site where David built an altar, later location of Solomon's temple

Gath

Gath was one of the five major Philistine cities and the home of Goliath, the giant warrior who defied Israel. David fled to Gath to escape Saul and pretended to be insane before King Achish. The city was eventually conquered by David. The phrase "Tell it not in Gath" comes from David's lament over Saul and Jonathan.

The Wilderness

The wilderness refers to the desert regions of Sinai and Judea. Israel wandered here for 40 years after the Exodus. John the Baptist preached in the wilderness of Judea, and Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness for 40 days. It represents testing, preparation, and encounter with God.

Position in Book

David's Rise to PowerChapters 1-5

David's TriumphsChapters 6-10

David's Sin and ConsequencesChapters 11-20

Sin with Bathsheba, Nathan's rebuke, death of the child, Absalom's rebellion and death.

EpilogueChapters 21-24