And with Absalom went two hundred men invited from Jerusalem, and they went along innocently and did not know anything.
Parallel translations
- WEB Two hundred men went with Absalom out of Jerusalem, who were invited, and went in their simplicity; and they didn’t know anything.
- KJV And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing.
- BSB Two hundred men from Jerusalem accompanied Absalom. They had been invited as guests and they went along innocently, for they knew nothing about the matter.
- NASB Then two hundred men went with Absalom from Jerusalem, who were invited and went innocently, for they did not know anything.
- NLT He took 200 men from Jerusalem with him as guests, but they knew nothing of his intentions.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Two hundred invited guests accompany Absalom from Jerusalem, innocent of his real intent. Their presence lends his coup false legitimacy.
Overview
Absalom brings along two hundred unsuspecting men who think they are attending a religious feast. Their innocence is exploited to give his rebellion the appearance of broad support. The detail shows Absalom's manipulative cunning, drawing honest people unwittingly into his treachery.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 8
- 1 Sam 9:13As soon as you have come into the city, you will immediately find him, before he goes up to the high place to eat; for the people will not eat until he come, because he blesses the sacrifice. Afterwards those who are invited eat. Now therefore go up; for at this time you will find him.”
- 1 Sam 22:15Have I today begun to inquire of God for him? Be it far from me! Don’t let the king impute anything to his servant, nor to all the house of my father; for your servant knows nothing of all this, less or more.”
- Matt 10:16“Behold, I send you out as sheep among wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
- Rom 16:18–19For those who are such don’t serve our Lord, Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by their smooth and flattering speech, they deceive the hearts of the innocent.
- Gen 20:5Didn’t he tell me, ‘She is my sister?’ She, even she herself, said, ‘He is my brother.’ In the integrity of my heart and the innocence of my hands I have done this.”
- Prov 22:3A prudent man sees danger, and hides himself; but the simple pass on, and suffer for it.
- Prov 14:15A simple man believes everything, but the prudent man carefully considers his ways.
- 1 Sam 16:3–5Call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do. You shall anoint to me him whom I name to you.”
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
God's covenant with David — a son whose throne and kingdom would last forever (7:12–16) — finds its yes in Jesus, the Son of David who reigns without end.
How 2 Samuel 15:11 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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