Bible Strands
2 Samuel 16:15
Then Absalom and all the men of Israel came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel was with him.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator records Absalom and the Israelite army arriving in Jerusalem immediately after David’s exhausted retreat. This moment captures the consolidation of rebel forces at the capital while David’s supporters rest.
The words — The verb בָּ֖אוּ (Ba.'u) literally means "they came" or "they arrived," marking the completed movement of Absalom’s forces into the city. The phrase כָּל־הָ/עָם אִ֣ישׁ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (khol-ha-'am ish Yis.ra.'El) translates literally to "all the people, every man of Israel," emphasizing total mobilization.
The thread — This arrival echoes the earlier entry in 2 Samuel 15:37, where Hushai reaches Jerusalem as Absalom enters, and follows the recruitment of Ahithophel in 2 Samuel 15:12. The narrative thread tracks the rapid fulfillment of Absalom’s coup as his allies converge on the capital.
Why it lands — The text records the factual shift of political power without commentary, forcing the reader to observe the quiet mechanics of a successful rebellion. It demands recognition that human plans advance through coordinated movement rather than divine intervention.
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The Hebrew words
King James Version
And Absalom, and all the people the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him.
Cross-references
- 2 Samuel 15:37 So David’s friend Hushai arrived in Jerusalem just as Absalom was entering the city.
- 2 Samuel 15:12 While Absalom was offering the sacrifices, he sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, to come from his hometown of Giloh. So the conspiracy gained strength, and Absalom’s following kept increasing.