Bible Strands
2 Samuel 15:13
Then a messenger came to David and reported, “The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — A messenger arrives at David’s camp to deliver urgent news during Absalom’s rebellion. The report reaches David while his political support is actively shifting to the usurper.
The words — The Hebrew verb וַיָּבֹא (va.ya.vo) literally means “and he came,” marking the messenger’s physical arrival. The phrase לֶב אִישׁ (lev ish) translates directly to “heart of man,” denoting personal loyalty or allegiance.
The thread — This theme of shifting loyalty appears in 2 Samuel 15:6, where Absalom previously stole the hearts of Israelites seeking justice. The motif of collective voice against a leader also echoes in Judges 9:3 and Matthew 27:22.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition of a leader’s sudden isolation when institutional support abandons him. It requires a reader to assess whether to flee, negotiate, or stand when political allegiance fractures.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.
Cross-references
- Judges 9:3 And when his mother’s brothers spoke all these words about him in the presence of all the leaders of Shechem, their hearts were inclined to follow Abimelech, for they said, “He is our brother.”
- 2 Samuel 15:6 Absalom did this to all the Israelites who came to the king for justice. In this way he stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
- Matthew 27:22 “What then should I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify Him!”
- 2 Samuel 3:36 All the people took note and were pleased. In fact, everything the king did pleased them.
- Psalms 62:9 Lowborn men are but a vapor; the exalted are but a lie. Weighed on the scale, they go up; together they are but a vapor.
- Matthew 21:9 The crowds that went ahead of Him and those that followed were shouting: “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest!”