2 Samuel 15:6 Meaning and Explanation
“And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →By this repeated practice Absalom won the affection of all Israel, stealing the hearts of the people away from his father.
What Does 2 Samuel 15:6 Mean?
The narrator summarizes the long campaign: day after day, to everyone who came seeking the king's judgment, Absalom worked his charm. The result is stated bluntly. He stole the hearts of the men of Israel, drawing their loyalty quietly away from David and toward himself.
The verb is telling: he stole. Affection that belongs to rightful authority is taken by stealth, not earned in the open. Betrayal rarely arrives all at once; it accumulates in a thousand small flatteries until a kingdom's heart has shifted. We are sobered to see how patient and gradual the work of treachery can be, and reminded to guard our own hearts against those who would court them away from what is true.
2 Samuel 15:6 in the Original Language
ganav (גָּנַב), 'stole' -- to take by stealth or deception, here describing the theft of the people's loyalty.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Samuel 15:6
What does 2 Samuel 15:6 mean?
By this repeated practice Absalom won the affection of all Israel, stealing the hearts of the people away from his father.