So the king set out with all the people following him. He stopped at the last house, So the king set outThis phrase marks a pivotal moment in King David's life, highlighting his departure from Jerusalem. The Hebrew word for "set out" is "yatsa," which often signifies a journey or an exodus. This departure is not just physical but also symbolic of David's humility and reliance on God during times of trial. Historically, this moment reflects David's willingness to leave the comfort of his palace, demonstrating his leadership and trust in God's plan, even when faced with betrayal by his son Absalom. with all the people following him
The phrase underscores the loyalty and support David commanded among his followers. The Hebrew term "halak" for "following" implies a continuous action, suggesting that the people were not just physically accompanying David but were also spiritually and emotionally aligned with him. This loyalty is significant, as it reflects the deep bond between David and his people, a bond rooted in shared faith and trust in God's covenant with Israel. and they stopped
The act of stopping is captured by the Hebrew word "amad," which can mean to stand or to pause. This pause is a moment of reflection and decision-making. It signifies a temporary halt in their journey, allowing David and his followers to gather their thoughts and seek God's guidance. In a broader spiritual context, it reminds believers of the importance of pausing in the midst of trials to seek divine direction and strength. at the last house
The "last house" represents the edge of the city, a boundary between the known and the unknown. In Hebrew, "bayit" means house, but it also conveys a sense of family and belonging. This location is significant as it symbolizes the transition from the security of Jerusalem to the uncertainty of the wilderness. It serves as a metaphor for the believer's journey of faith, where stepping out in trust often means leaving behind comfort and security to embrace God's greater purpose. Persons / Places / Events 1. King DavidThe central figure in this passage, David is the anointed king of Israel. At this point, he is fleeing Jerusalem due to the rebellion led by his son Absalom. 2. The PeopleThese are the loyal followers of David who accompany him as he leaves Jerusalem. Their presence signifies their allegiance to David despite the political turmoil. 3. The Last HouseThis location marks a significant point in David's departure from Jerusalem. It symbolizes the boundary between the city and the wilderness, a place of transition and reflection. 4. Absalom's RebellionThe backdrop of this event is the insurrection led by Absalom, David's son, who seeks to usurp the throne, causing David to flee. 5. JerusalemThe city from which David departs, representing both the political and spiritual center of Israel at the time. Teaching Points Trust in God's SovereigntyDavid's departure from Jerusalem, though painful, demonstrates his trust in God's ultimate plan. In times of personal crisis, believers are encouraged to rely on God's sovereignty. Leadership in CrisisDavid's actions show the importance of leading with integrity and humility, even when facing betrayal and rebellion. Christian leaders can learn from David's example of steadfastness. Community and SupportThe loyalty of David's followers highlights the value of community and support during difficult times. Believers should cultivate relationships that provide mutual encouragement and strength. Reflection and TransitionThe "last house" symbolizes a moment of reflection and transition. In our spiritual journeys, we should take time to pause and seek God's guidance when facing significant changes. Bible Study Questions 1. How does David's response to Absalom's rebellion demonstrate his faith in God, and how can we apply this to our own lives when facing betrayal or conflict? 2. In what ways does the loyalty of David's followers inspire us to support our leaders and communities during times of crisis? 3. Reflect on a "last house" moment in your life—a time of transition or decision. How did you seek God's guidance, and what was the outcome? 4. How can Psalm 3 provide comfort and encouragement when we feel surrounded by adversities? 5. Considering Matthew 5:10-12, how can we find joy and purpose in the midst of persecution or trials for our faith? Connections to Other Scriptures Psalm 3This psalm is traditionally attributed to David during his flight from Absalom. It reflects his trust in God amidst adversity. 2 Samuel 16:5-14This passage describes David's continued journey and the challenges he faces, including the cursing by Shimei, which further illustrates his humility and reliance on God. Matthew 5:10-12Jesus speaks about persecution for righteousness' sake, which can be related to David's experience of being unjustly driven from his throne. People Abiathar, Absalom, Ahimaaz, Ahithophel, Aram, Arkite, Cherethites, David, Gittites, Hushai, Israelites, Ittai, Jonathan, Kerethites, Levites, Pelethites, ZadokPlaces Aram, Gath, Geshur, Giloh, Hebron, Jerusalem, Kidron, Mount of OlivesTopics Beth, Beth-merhak, Distance, Farthest, Forth, Halted, Merhak, Remote, Servants, Stand, Stayed, Stop, Stopped, TarriedDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Samuel 15:17 5619 measures, distance and area 2 Samuel 15:13-18 5087 David, reign of Library A Loyal Vow
'And the king's servants said unto the king, Behold, thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint.'--2 SAMUEL xv. 15. We stand here at the darkest hour of King David's life. Bowed down by the consciousness of his past sin, and recognising in the rebellion of his favourite son the divine chastisement, his early courage and buoyant daring seem to have ebbed from him wholly. He is forsaken by the mass of his subjects, he is preparing to abandon Jerusalem, and to flee as an …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureIttai of Gath
'And Ittai answered the king, and said, As the Lord liveth, and as my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will thy servant be.'--2 SAMUEL xv. 21. It was the darkest hour in David's life. No more pathetic page is found in the Old Testament than that which tells the story of his flight before Absalom. He is crushed by the consciousness that his punishment is deserved--the bitter fruit of the sin that filled all his later life …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Pardoned Sin Punished
'And It came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him. 2. And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel. 3. And Absalom said unto him. See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Loyal to the Core
On the other hand, look at Ittai, perfectly free to go, but in order to end the controversy once for all, and to make David know that he does not mean to leave him, he takes a solemn oath before Jehovah his God, and he doubles it by swearing by the life of David that he will never leave him; in life, in death, he will be with him. He has cast in his lot with him for better and for worse, and he means to be faithful to the end. Old Master Trapp says, "All faithful friends went on a pilgrimage years …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 26: 1880 Following Christ
"And Ittai answered the king, and said, as the Lord liveth, and as my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will thy servant be."--2 Samuel 15:21. SOME men have a very remarkable power of creating and sustaining friendship in others. David was a man brimming over with affection--a man, notwithstanding all his rough soldier-life, of an exceedingly tender heart--a man, I was about to say--the word was on my tongue--a man of vast …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 62: 1916 The Will of God
"Here am I, let Him do to me as seemeth good unto Him."--2 Sam. xv. 26. G. Ter Steegen. tr., Emma Frances Bevan, 1899 Thou sweet beloved Will of God, My anchor ground, my fortress hill, The Spirit's silent fair abode, In Thee I hide me and am still. O Will, that willest good alone, Lead Thou the way, Thou guidest best; A silent child, I follow on, And trusting, lean upon Thy Breast. God's Will doth make the bitter sweet, And all is well when it is done; Unless His Will doth hallow it, The glory …
Frances Bevan—Hymns of Ter Steegen and Others (Second Series) A Light to Lighten the Gentiles
P. G. 2 Sam. xv. 19-22; John xii. 26 "Wherefore goest thou with me?" Said the king disowned-- Said the king despised, rejected, Disenthroned. "Go, return unto thy place, To thy king of yore-- Here a pilgrim and a stranger, Nothing more. "Not for thee the cities fair, Hills of corn and wine-- All was portioned ere thou camest, Nought is thine. "Wandering forth where'er I may, Exiled from mine own, Shame, rejection I can grant thee; That alone. "Turn and take thy brethren back, With thy people …
Frances Bevan—Hymns of Ter Steegen, Suso, and Others The Daily Walk with Others (iii. ).
Thrice happy they who at Thy side, Thou Child of Nazareth, Have learnt to give their struggling pride Into Thy hands to death: If thus indeed we lay us low, Thou wilt exalt us o'er the foe; And let the exaltation be That we are lost in Thee. Let me say a little on a subject which, like the last, is one of some delicacy and difficulty, though its problems are of a very different kind. It is, the relation between the Curate and his Incumbent; or more particularly, the Curate's position and conduct …
Handley C. G. Moule—To My Younger Brethren And V the Kingdom Undivided and the Kingdom Divided
THE HISTORICAL BOOKS: I and II Samuel. I and II Kings. I and II Chronicles. NOTE.--As these three pairs of books are so closely related in their historical contents, it is deemed best to study them together, though they overlap the two divisions of IV and V. I. CHARTS Chart A. General Contents +--+ " I AND II SAMUEL " +-------------+-----+------+ "Samuel "Saul "David " +-------------+-----+------+----------+ " " " " I AND II KINGS "NOTE.--Biblical …
Frank Nelson Palmer—A Bird's-Eye View of the Bible That Whereas the City of Jerusalem had Been Five Times Taken Formerly, this was the Second Time of Its Desolation. A Brief Account of Its History.
1. And thus was Jerusalem taken, in the second year of the reign of Vespasian, on the eighth day of the month Gorpeius [Elul]. It had been taken five [34] times before, though this was the second time of its desolation; for Shishak, the king of Egypt, and after him Antiochus, and after him Pompey, and after them Sosius and Herod, took the city, but still preserved it; but before all these, the king of Babylon conquered it, and made it desolate, one thousand four hundred and sixty-eight years and …
Flavius Josephus—The Wars of the Jews or History of the Destruction of Jerusalem King of Kings and Lord of Lords
And He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, K ING OF K INGS AND L ORD OF L ORDS T he description of the administration and glory of the Redeemer's Kingdom, in defiance of all opposition, concludes the second part of Messiah Oratorio. Three different passages from the book of Revelation are selected to form a grand chorus, of which Handel's title in this verse is the close --a title which has been sometimes vainly usurped by proud worms of this earth. Eastern monarchs, in particular, …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2 Samuel
Alike from the literary and the historical point of view, the book[1] of Samuel stands midway between the book of Judges and the book of Kings. As we have already seen, the Deuteronomic book of Judges in all probability ran into Samuel and ended in ch. xii.; while the story of David, begun in Samuel, embraces the first two chapters of the first book of Kings. The book of Samuel is not very happily named, as much of it is devoted to Saul and the greater part to David; yet it is not altogether inappropriate, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 2 Samuel 15:17 NIV2 Samuel 15:17 NLT2 Samuel 15:17 ESV2 Samuel 15:17 NASB2 Samuel 15:17 KJV
2 Samuel 15:17 Commentaries
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