2 Samuel 15:2

Authorized King James Version

And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וְהִשְׁכִּים֙

H7925

rose up early

literally, to load up (on the back of man or beast), i.e., to start early in the morning

אַבְשָׁל֤וֹם

H53

And Absalom

abshalom, a son of david; also (the fuller form) a later israelite

וְעָמַ֕ד

H5975

and stood

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

עַל

H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

יַ֖ד

H3027

beside

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

דֶּ֣רֶךְ

H1870

the way

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

הַשָּׁ֑עַר

H8179

of the gate

an opening, i.e., door or gate

וַיְהִ֡י

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

כָּל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#10

הָאִ֣ישׁ

H376

and it was so that when any man

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

#11

אֲשֶֽׁר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#12

יִֽהְיֶה

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

#13

לּוֹ

#14

רִיב֩

H7379

that had a controversy

a contest (personal or legal)

#15

לָב֨וֹא

H935

came

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

#16

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#17

הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ

H4428

to the king

a king

#18

לַמִּשְׁפָּ֗ט

H4941

for judgment

properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind

#19

וַיִּקְרָ֨א

H7121

called

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

#20

אַבְשָׁל֤וֹם

H53

And Absalom

abshalom, a son of david; also (the fuller form) a later israelite

#21

אֵלָיו֙

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#22

וַיֹּ֕אמֶר

H559

art thou And he said

to say (used with great latitude)

#23

אֵֽי

H335

Of what

where? hence how?

#24

מִזֶּ֥ה

H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

#25

עִיר֙

H5892

city

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

#26

אַ֔תָּה

H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

#27

וַיֹּ֕אמֶר

H559

art thou And he said

to say (used with great latitude)

#28

מֵֽאַחַ֥ד

H259

is of one

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

#29

שִׁבְטֵֽי

H7626

of the tribes

a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan

#30

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל

H3478

of Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

#31

עַבְדֶּֽךָ׃

H5650

Thy servant

a servant

Analysis

Within the broader context of 2 Samuel, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine revelation connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine revelation, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of 2 Samuel.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine revelation address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?
In what ways does understanding divine revelation in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?

Related Resources

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People

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