2 Samuel 15:8 Meaning and Explanation
“For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the LORD shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Absalom explains that during his exile in Geshur he vowed to serve the LORD if he were brought back to Jerusalem.
What Does 2 Samuel 15:8 Mean?
Absalom fleshes out his cover story. While exiled at Geshur in Syria, after fleeing for killing Amnon, he says he promised that if the LORD returned him to Jerusalem he would serve the LORD. The detail lends his request credibility and recalls the genuine mercy that had restored him to the city.
There is something grievous in turning the memory of mercy into a weapon. God had indeed brought Absalom home, yet rather than serving the LORD he uses that very kindness as a pretext for rebellion. Grace received and then exploited is a sorrowful thing. We are searched here to ask whether we keep our vows to God honestly, or invoke His name to dress up our own designs.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Samuel 15:8
What does 2 Samuel 15:8 mean?
Absalom explains that during his exile in Geshur he vowed to serve the LORD if he were brought back to Jerusalem.