2 Samuel 15:2 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Absalom stations himself at the city gate, intercepting those who come seeking the king's justice, and draws each one into conversation.
What Does 2 Samuel 15:2 Mean?
The gate was the place where legal disputes were heard and judgments rendered in ancient Israel. Absalom rises early and posts himself there, meeting petitioners before they can reach the king. To each he asks where he is from, drawing the man close with personal attention and making him feel known.
Flattery begins by listening. Absalom's diligence is real, yet it is bent toward stealing loyalty rather than serving people. The same energy poured out for self-promotion could have served his father and his nation. We are warned how easily attentiveness becomes a tool, and how a leader who courts the crowd at the gate may be undermining the very throne he pretends to honor.
2 Samuel 15:2 in the Original Language
shaar (שַׁעַר), 'gate' -- the city gate where elders sat to render judgment and decide public matters.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Samuel 15:2
What does 2 Samuel 15:2 mean?
Absalom stations himself at the city gate, intercepting those who come seeking the king's justice, and draws each one into conversation.