Absalom would say, “Look, your claims are good and right, but the king has no deputy to hear you.”
Parallel translations
- WEB Absalom said to him, “Behold, your matters are good and right; but there is no man deputized by the king to hear you.”
- KJV And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee.
- NKJV Then Absalom would say to him, “Look, your case is good and right; but there is no deputy of the king to hear you.”
- NASB Then Absalom would say to him, “See, your claims are good and right, but you have no one to listen to you on the part of the king.”
- NLT Then Absalom would say, “You’ve really got a strong case here! It’s too bad the king doesn’t have anyone to hear it.
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
Absalom tells each petitioner his case is valid but no royal official will hear him. He subtly discredits David's government.
Overview
Absalom flatters the petitioners and insinuates that David has failed to provide justice. Whether or not the courts were truly neglected, his words sow doubt and discontent toward the king. This manipulation of grievances is a classic strategy of the would-be usurper, turning the people's longing for justice into a weapon against the throne.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 15
- Num 16:13–14Is it not enough that you have brought us up out of a land flowing with milk and honey to kill us in the wilderness? Must you also appoint yourself as ruler over us?
- Prov 12:2The good man obtains favor from the LORD, but the LORD condemns a man who devises evil.
- Exod 21:17Anyone who curses his father or mother must surely be put to death.
- Ps 12:2They lie to one another; they speak with flattering lips and a double heart.
- 1 Pet 2:17Treat everyone with high regard: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.
- Exod 20:12Honor your father and mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.
- Acts 23:5“Brothers,” Paul replied, “I was not aware that he was the high priest, for it is written: ‘Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people.’”
- Ezek 22:7Father and mother are treated with contempt. Within your walls the foreign resident is exploited, the fatherless and the widow are oppressed.
- Prov 30:11There is a generation of those who curse their fathers and do not bless their mothers.
- Prov 30:17As for the eye that mocks a father and scorns obedience to a mother, may the ravens of the valley pluck it out and young vultures devour it.
- 2 Sam 8:15Thus David reigned over all Israel and administered justice and righteousness for all his people:
- Num 16:3They came together against Moses and Aaron and told them, “You have taken too much upon yourselves! For everyone in the entire congregation is holy, and the LORD is in their midst. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the LORD?”
- 2 Pet 2:10Such punishment is specially reserved for those who indulge the corrupt desires of the flesh and despise authority. Bold and self-willed, they are unafraid to slander glorious beings.
- Dan 11:21In his place a despicable person will arise; royal honors will not be given to him, but he will come in a time of peace and seize the kingdom by intrigue.
- Matt 15:4For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’
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 15:3 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
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.