2 Samuel 15:34

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

But if thou return to the city, and say unto Absalom, I will be thy servant, O king; [as] I [have been] thy father's servant hitherto, so [will] I now also [be] thy servant: then mayest thou for me defeat the counsel of Ahithophel.

Complete Jewish Bible:

But if you go back to the city and tell Avshalom, 'King, I will be your servant; just as I was your father's servant in the past, so I will now be your servant'- then you will be able to frustrate Achitofel's advice for me.

Berean Standard Bible:

But you can thwart the counsel of Ahithophel for me if you return to the city and say to Absalom: ‘I will be your servant, my king; in the past I was your father’s servant, but now I will be your servant.’

American Standard Version:

but if thou return to the city, and say unto Absalom, I will be thy servant, O king; as I have been thy father’s servant in time past, so will I now be thy servant; then wilt thou defeat for me the counsel of Ahithophel.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

But if thou return^{H7725} to the city^{H5892}, and say^{H559} unto Absalom^{H53}, I will be thy servant^{H5650}, O king^{H4428}; as I have been thy father's^{H1} servant^{H5650} hitherto^{H227}, so will I now also be thy servant^{H5650}: then mayest thou for me defeat^{H6565} the counsel^{H6098} of Ahithophel^{H302}.

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Commentary for 2 Samuel 15:34

2 Samuel 15:34 is a part of the narrative concerning King David's flight from Jerusalem as his son, Absalom, leads a rebellion against him. The verse captures a strategic and emotionally charged moment where David, having been forced to flee due to Absalom's coup, is considering a plan to counter the advice of Ahithophel, a renowned advisor who has defected to Absalom's side.

In this verse, David is likely speaking to Ittai, a recent ally, or to his faithful followers. He proposes a plan to deceive Absalom by offering feigned loyalty. David suggests that if he were to return to Jerusalem and pretend to serve Absalom as loyally as he served his father, he might be able to undermine Ahithophel's influence and advice, which would be crucial in the ongoing conflict.

The themes present in this verse include loyalty, deception, and the complex dynamics of family and governance. Historically, this passage reflects the political intrigue and instability that could exist within ancient monarchies, as well as the personal tragedy of David's family life, which was marred by betrayal and conflict. David's willingness to use deception indicates the gravity of the situation and his desperate determination to regain his throne and stabilize the kingdom. This verse also underscores the high stakes of the rebellion and the significant role that counselors played in the politics of the time.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H7725
   There are 952 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שׁוּב
   Transliteration: shûwb
   Pronunciation: shoob
   Description: a primitive root; to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to retreat; often adverbial, again; ((break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) [idiom] again, (cause to) answer ([phrase] again), [idiom] in any case (wise), [idiom] at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back), cease, [idiom] certainly, come again (back), [idiom] consider, [phrase] continually, convert, deliver (again), [phrase] deny, draw back, fetch home again, [idiom] fro, get (oneself) (back) again, [idiom] give (again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see) more, [idiom] needs, be past, [idiom] pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, [phrase] say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still, [idiom] surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw.
   
2. Strong's Number: H5892
   There are 937 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עִיר
   Transliteration: ʻîyr
   Pronunciation: eer
   Description: or (in the plural) עָר; or עָיַר; (Judges 10:4), from עוּר; a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post); Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town.
   
3. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
4. Strong's Number: H53
   There are 2955 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֲבִישָׁלוֹם
   Transliteration: ʼĂbîyshâlôwm
   Pronunciation: ab-ee-shaw-lome'
   Description: or (shortened) אַבְשָׁלוֹם ; from אָב and שָׁלוֹם; father of peace (i.e. friendly); Abshalom, a son of David; also (the fuller form) a later Israelite; Abishalom, Absalom.
   
5. Strong's Number: H5650
   There are 714 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עֶבֶד
   Transliteration: ʻebed
   Pronunciation: eh'-bed
   Description: from עָבַד; a servant; [idiom] bondage, bondman, (bond-) servant, (man-) servant.
   
6. Strong's Number: H4428
   There are 1922 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מֶלֶךְ
   Transliteration: melek
   Pronunciation: meh'-lek
   Description: from מָלַךְ; a king; king, royal.
   
7. Strong's Number: H1
   There are 15773 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָב
   Transliteration: ʼâb
   Pronunciation: awb
   Description: a primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application; chief, (fore-) father(-less), [idiom] patrimony, principal. Compare names in 'Abi-'.
   
8. Strong's Number: H227
   There are 113 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָז
   Transliteration: ʼâz
   Pronunciation: awz
   Description: a demonstrative adverb; at that time or place; also as a conjunction, therefore; beginning, for, from, hitherto, now, of old, once, since, then, at which time, yet.
   
9. Strong's Number: H6565
   There are 46 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פָּרַר
   Transliteration: pârar
   Pronunciation: paw-rar'
   Description: a primitive root; to break up (usually figuratively), i.e. to violate, frustrate; [idiom] any ways, break (asunder), cast off, cause to cease, [idiom] clean, defeat, disannul, disappoint, dissolve, divide, make of none effect, fail, frustrate, bring (come) to nought, [idiom] utterly, make void.
   
10. Strong's Number: H6098
    There are 85 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: עֵצָה
    Transliteration: ʻêtsâh
    Pronunciation: ay-tsaw'
    Description: from יָעַץ; advice; by implication, plan; also prudence; advice, advisement, counsel(l-(or)), purpose.
    
11. Strong's Number: H302
    There are 1515 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אֲחִיתֹפֶל
    Transliteration: ʼĂchîythôphel
    Pronunciation: akh-ee-tho'-fel
    Description: from אָח and תָּפֵל; brother of folly; Achithophel, an Israelite; Ahithophel.