2 Samuel 15:13
New International Version
A messenger came and told David, “The hearts of the people of Israel are with Absalom.”

New Living Translation
A messenger soon arrived in Jerusalem to tell David, “All Israel has joined Absalom in a conspiracy against you!”

English Standard Version
And a messenger came to David, saying, “The hearts of the men of Israel have gone after Absalom.”

Berean Standard Bible
Then a messenger came to David and reported, “The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.”

King James Bible
And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.

New King James Version
Now a messenger came to David, saying, “The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.”

New American Standard Bible
Then a messenger came to David, saying, “The hearts of the people of Israel are with Absalom.”

NASB 1995
Then a messenger came to David, saying, “The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.”

NASB 1977
Then a messenger came to David, saying, “The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then an informant came to David, saying, “The hearts of the men of Israel have followed Absalom.”

Amplified Bible
Then a messenger came to David, saying, “The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.”

Christian Standard Bible
Then an informer came to David and reported, “The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then an informer came to David and reported, “The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.”

American Standard Version
And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.

Contemporary English Version
A messenger came and told David, "Everyone in Israel is on Absalom's side!"

English Revised Version
And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Someone came to tell David, "The hearts of the people of Israel are with Absalom."

Good News Translation
A messenger reported to David, "The Israelites are pledging their loyalty to Absalom."

International Standard Version
Then a messenger arrived to inform David, "The loyalties of the men of Israel have shifted to Absalom."

Majority Standard Bible
Then a messenger came to David and reported, “The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.”

NET Bible
Then a messenger came to David and reported, "The men of Israel are loyal to Absalom!"

New Heart English Bible
A messenger came to David, saying, "The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom."

Webster's Bible Translation
And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.

World English Bible
A messenger came to David, saying, “The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And he who is declaring tidings comes to David, saying, “The heart of the men of Israel has been after Absalom.”

Young's Literal Translation
And he who is declaring tidings cometh in unto David, saying, 'The heart of the men of Israel hath been after Absalom.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And he announcing, will come to David, saying, The heart of the man Israel was after Absalom.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And there came a messenger to David, saying: All Israel with their whole heart followeth Absalom.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then a messenger went to David, saying, “With their whole heart, all of Israel is following Absalom.”

New American Bible
An informant came to David with the report, “The Israelites have given their hearts to Absalom, and they are following him.”

New Revised Standard Version
A messenger came to David, saying, “The hearts of the Israelites have gone after Absalom.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And a Messenger came to David and said to him: “The hearts of the sons of Israel have conspired with Abishlum!”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And there came a messenger to David, saying: 'The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And there came a messenger to David, saying, the heart of the men of Israel is gone after Abessalom.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David Flees Jerusalem
13Then a messenger came to David and reported, “The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.” 14And David said to all the servants with him in Jerusalem, “Arise and let us flee, or we will not escape from Absalom! We must leave quickly, or he will soon overtake us, heap disaster on us, and put the city to the sword.”…

Cross References
2 Samuel 17:1-4
Furthermore, Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Let me choose twelve thousand men and set out tonight in pursuit of David. / I will attack him while he is weak and weary; I will throw him into a panic, and all the people with him will flee; I will strike down only the king / and bring all the people back to you as a bride returning to her husband. You seek the life of only one man; then all the people will be at peace.” ...

2 Samuel 16:15
Then Absalom and all the men of Israel came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel was with him.

2 Samuel 18:6-8
So David’s army marched into the field to engage Israel, and the battle took place in the forest of Ephraim. / There the people of Israel were defeated by David’s servants, and the slaughter was great that day—twenty thousand men. / The battle spread over the whole countryside, and that day the forest devoured more people than the sword.

2 Samuel 19:9-10
And all the people throughout the tribes of Israel were arguing, “The king rescued us from the hand of our enemies and delivered us from the hand of the Philistines, but now he has fled the land because of Absalom. / But Absalom, the man we anointed over us, has died in battle. So why do you say nothing about restoring the king?”

1 Kings 1:5-10
At that time Adonijah, David’s son by Haggith, began to exalt himself, saying, “I will be king!” And he acquired chariots and horsemen and fifty men to run ahead of him. / (His father had never once reprimanded him by saying, “Why do you act this way?” Adonijah was also very handsome, born next after Absalom.) / So Adonijah conferred with Joab son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest, who supported him. ...

1 Kings 2:15
“You know that the kingship was mine,” he said. “All Israel expected that I should reign, but the kingship has turned to my brother, for it has come to him from the LORD.

Psalm 3:1-2
A Psalm of David, when he fled from his son Absalom. O LORD, how my foes have increased! How many rise up against me! / Many say of me, “God will not deliver him.” Selah

Psalm 41:9
Even my close friend whom I trusted, the one who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.

Psalm 55:12-14
For it is not an enemy who insults me; that I could endure. It is not a foe who rises against me; from him I could hide. / But it is you, a man like myself, my companion and close friend. / We shared sweet fellowship together; we walked with the crowd into the house of God.

Psalm 55:20-21
My companion attacks his friends; he violates his covenant. / His speech is smooth as butter, but war is in his heart. His words are softer than oil, yet they are swords unsheathed.

Matthew 26:14-16
Then one of the Twelve, the one called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests / and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I hand Him over to you?” And they set out for him thirty pieces of silver. / So from then on Judas looked for an opportunity to betray Jesus.

Matthew 26:47-50
While Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and elders of the people. / Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The One I kiss is the man; arrest Him.” / Going directly to Jesus, he said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him. ...

Mark 14:43-46
While Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, scribes, and elders. / Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The One I kiss is the man; arrest Him and lead Him away securely.” / Going directly to Jesus, he said, “Rabbi!” and kissed Him. ...

Luke 22:3-6
Then Satan entered Judas Iscariot, who was one of the Twelve. / And Judas went to discuss with the chief priests and temple officers how he might betray Jesus to them. / They were delighted and agreed to give him money. ...

Luke 22:47-48
While He was still speaking, a crowd arrived, led by the man called Judas, one of the Twelve. He approached Jesus to kiss Him. / But Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”


Treasury of Scripture

And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.

The hearts

2 Samuel 15:6
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.

2 Samuel 3:36
And all the people took notice of it, and it pleased them: as whatsoever the king did pleased all the people.

Judges 9:3
And his mother's brethren spake of him in the ears of all the men of Shechem all these words: and their hearts inclined to follow Abimelech; for they said, He is our brother.

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2 Samuel 15
1. Absalom, by fair speeches and courtesies, steals the hearts of Israel.
7. By pretense of a vow, he obtains leave to go to Hebron
10. He makes there a great conspiracy
13. David upon the news flees from Jerusalem
19. Ittai will leave him
24. Zadok and Abiathar are sent back with the ark
30. David and his company go up mount Olivet weeping,
31. He curses Ahithophel's counsel
32. Hushai is sent back with instructions














Then a messenger came to David
The word "messenger" in Hebrew is "מַלְאָךְ" (mal'akh), which can mean an angel or a human messenger. In this context, it refers to a human who brings news. The role of messengers was crucial in ancient times, as they were the primary means of communication over long distances. This phrase sets the stage for the unfolding drama, highlighting the urgency and gravity of the situation. David, the king, is about to receive news that will challenge his leadership and test his faith in God.

and reported
The act of reporting here is significant. The Hebrew root "נָגַד" (nagad) implies making something known or declaring it. This is not just casual information; it is a formal announcement that carries weight and consequence. The messenger's report is pivotal, as it conveys the shift in loyalty among the people of Israel, which is a direct threat to David's reign.

The hearts of the men of Israel
In Hebrew, "hearts" is "לֵבָב" (levav), which often denotes the inner self, including emotions, will, and intellect. The "hearts" of the people signify their loyalty and allegiance. The phrase underscores a collective shift in the people's support, which is not just political but deeply personal and emotional. This shift in loyalty is a profound betrayal for David, who has been anointed by God as king.

are with Absalom
Absalom, David's son, whose name in Hebrew "אַבְשָׁלוֹם" (Avshalom) means "father of peace," ironically becomes a source of division and conflict. The phrase indicates that Absalom has successfully won the people's favor, a testament to his charisma and political maneuvering. Historically, this moment marks the beginning of Absalom's rebellion against his father, a tragic narrative of familial strife and ambition. The loyalty of the people to Absalom reflects a broader theme of the Bible: the struggle between God's chosen leaders and human desires for power and control.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then a messenger
הַמַּגִּ֔יד (ham·mag·gîḏ)
Article | Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5046: To be conspicuous

came
וַיָּבֹא֙ (way·yā·ḇō)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

David
דָּוִ֖ד (dā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

and reported,
לֵאמֹ֑ר (lê·mōr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“The hearts
לֶב־ (leḇ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3820: The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre

of the men
אִ֥ישׁ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

of Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

are
הָיָ֛ה (hā·yāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

with
אַחֲרֵ֥י (’a·ḥă·rê)
Preposition
Strong's 310: The hind or following part

Absalom.”
אַבְשָׁלֽוֹם׃ (’aḇ·šā·lō·wm)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 53: Absalom -- 'my father is peace', two Israelites


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OT History: 2 Samuel 15:13 There came a messenger to David saying (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
2 Samuel 15:12
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