2 Samuel 15:5 Meaning and Explanation
“And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →When people bow before him, Absalom refuses the gesture, instead embracing and kissing them as equals.
What Does 2 Samuel 15:5 Mean?
When a petitioner approaches to bow before the king's son, Absalom reaches out, takes hold of him, and kisses him. He declines the homage due his rank and treats the common man as a near friend. The gesture is calculated warmth, designed to bind hearts to himself through the appearance of humility.
False humility can be a subtler bid for glory than open pride. By refusing the bow, Absalom wins more than the bow could give him: affection and loyalty. Genuine humility serves without keeping account, but Absalom's was a performance aimed at a crown. The contrast points us toward the One who washed His disciples' feet not to gain a kingdom but to give Himself away.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Samuel 15:5
What does 2 Samuel 15:5 mean?
When people bow before him, Absalom refuses the gesture, instead embracing and kissing them as equals.