2 Samuel 15:9

KJV

And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the king {H4428} said {H559} unto him, Go {H3212} in peace {H7965}. So he arose {H6965}, and went {H3212} to Hebron {H2275}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The king said to him, "Go in peace."So he set out and went to Hevron.

Berean Standard Bible

“Go in peace,” said the king. So Absalom got up and went to Hebron.

American Standard Version

And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Samuel 15:9 records King David's seemingly innocuous permission for his son Absalom to depart for Hebron. This moment, however, is a critical turning point, as Absalom's request to fulfill a vow was a carefully crafted deception, masking his true intention to launch a full-scale rebellion against his father's throne. David's trusting words, "Go in peace," tragically set in motion a period of profound national turmoil and personal anguish for the king.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within the detailed account of Absalom's meticulously planned insurrection, which spans [2 Samuel 15](/2_samuel/15 "2 Samuel 15 - Absalom's Rebellion Begins") through [2 Samuel 18](/2_samuel/18 "2 Samuel 18 - Absalom's Death"). Prior to this, Absalom had spent four years strategically undermining his father's authority and "stealing the hearts of the men of Israel" by acting as a more accessible and sympathetic judge than David's administration ([2 Samuel 15:1-6](/2_samuel/15-1 "2 Samuel 15:1 - Absalom Prepares for Rebellion")). His request in [2 Samuel 15:7](/2_samuel/15-7 "2 Samuel 15:7 - Absalom's Deceptive Vow") to go to Hebron to fulfill a vow made in Geshur during his exile is a masterstroke of deceit, leveraging religious piety to gain the king's unsuspecting approval. David's simple blessing in verse 9, "Go in peace," underscores his fatherly trust and his tragic unawareness of the imminent betrayal, directly leading to Absalom's public declaration of kingship in Hebron ([2 Samuel 15:10](/2_samuel/15-10 "2 Samuel 15:10 - Absalom Declared King in Hebron")).

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Hebron held immense historical and symbolic significance for David and the nation of Israel. It was David's first capital, where he reigned over Judah for seven and a half years before establishing Jerusalem as his united kingdom's capital ([2 Samuel 2:1-4](/2_samuel/2-1 "2 Samuel 2:1 - David Anointed King in Hebron")). As a city deeply rooted in the history of the patriarchs and a major city in the territory of Judah, launching a rebellion from Hebron lent Absalom's coup a veneer of legitimacy, appealing to tribal loyalties and perhaps capitalizing on any lingering resentment from the shift of the capital to Jerusalem. The cultural practice of making vows, often to secure divine favor or give thanks, provided Absalom with a culturally acceptable and religiously pious excuse for his journey, making his true intentions difficult for David to discern.

* **Key Themes:** The passage powerfully illustrates the theme of **deception and betrayal**, as Absalom cunningly manipulates his father's trust and religious customs for his own ambitious ends. It highlights the **fragility of power and the consequences of sin**, particularly in the context of Nathan's prophecy against David's house following his sin with Bathsheba, where the sword would "never depart" from his house ([2 Samuel 12:10](/2_samuel/12-10 "2 Samuel 12:10 - The Sword Will Never Depart from David's House")). This prophecy finds a direct fulfillment in the domestic strife and rebellion initiated by Absalom. The **irony of peace** is also central; David's blessing of "peace" is tragically juxtaposed with Absalom's true intent to bring war and turmoil. Furthermore, the narrative explores the **pain of paternal grief and the complexities of family relationships**, even within a royal household, demonstrating how personal failings and unaddressed issues can fester into national crises.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Go in peace (Hebrew, _lekh leshalom'_):** This common Hebrew idiom, "לֵךְ לְשָׁלֽוֹם" (lekh leshalom), literally means "go to peace" or "go for peace." The word _shalom_ (שָׁלֹום) is profoundly rich, encompassing far more than merely the absence of conflict. It signifies wholeness, completeness, well-being, prosperity, security, and harmony. When David utters this phrase, it is a sincere expression of a father's wish for his son's safe journey and overall flourishing. The tragic irony lies in Absalom's heart, which was utterly devoid of _shalom_; instead, it was filled with ambition, malice, and a desire for war and disruption, making David's blessing an unwitting pronouncement over a journey that would bring anything but peace.
* **Hebron (Hebrew, _chevrôn'_):** The name "חֶבְרוֹן" (chevrôn) is derived from a root meaning "association" or "joining," perhaps hinting at its role as a place of gathering or alliance. In this context, Hebron is not merely a geographical location but a highly symbolic and strategic choice for Absalom's rebellion. As David's first capital ([2 Samuel 2:1-4](/2_samuel/2-1 "2 Samuel 2:1 - David Anointed King in Hebron")), it carried historical legitimacy and strong tribal associations, especially with the tribe of Judah. By going to Hebron, Absalom was not only physically distancing himself from Jerusalem but also symbolically aligning himself with a foundational place of Davidic kingship, aiming to usurp that very authority from its historical roots.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the king said unto him, Go in peace.":** This clause reveals David's unsuspecting nature and his genuine, fatherly disposition towards Absalom. He accepts Absalom's pious excuse at face value, granting permission with a standard blessing for safe travel and well-being. This demonstrates David's trust, perhaps even a hope for reconciliation with his long-estranged son, completely unaware of the malevolent intent hidden beneath Absalom's words. It underscores David's vulnerability as a father, blinded by affection or perhaps by a lack of discernment in this critical moment.
* **"So he arose, and went to Hebron.":** This concise statement marks the immediate and decisive execution of Absalom's plan. The brevity conveys the swiftness and determination of his action once he secured David's permission. "He arose" signifies a purposeful movement, and "went to Hebron" confirms the strategic destination. This is not a casual departure but the calculated initiation of a coup, transforming a seemingly benign request into the first overt step of a devastating rebellion. The journey to Hebron is thus depicted as the point of no return for Absalom's treasonous plot.

#### Literary Devices
The verse is rich with **Irony**, particularly in David's utterance, "Go in peace." This common blessing, intended to convey well-wishes for safety and well-being, stands in stark contrast to Absalom's true intentions, which were to ignite war, turmoil, and profound distress for David and the kingdom. This creates a tragic sense of dramatic irony, as the reader is aware of Absalom's deceit while David remains oblivious. Furthermore, the verse employs **Foreshadowing**, where the seemingly innocuous departure of Absalom to Hebron subtly but powerfully hints at the immense conflict and suffering that will soon engulf David's household and the nation. The choice of Hebron itself functions as **Symbolism**, representing both the historical legitimacy of David's reign (as his first capital) and the rebellious usurpation of that very authority by Absalom.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The narrative of Absalom's rebellion, initiated in this verse, serves as a profound theological commentary on the nature of sin, its far-reaching consequences, and the painful reality of human betrayal. David's personal sins, particularly his adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah, had been prophesied by Nathan to bring "the sword" upon his house ([2 Samuel 12:10](/2_samuel/12-10 "2 Samuel 12:10 - The Sword Will Not Depart from Your House")). Absalom's deceitful rise to power is a direct outworking of this divine judgment, demonstrating that even a king after God's own heart is not exempt from the painful repercussions of unconfessed or unaddressed sin within his family and kingdom. The story underscores the biblical theme that appearances can be deceiving, and that true peace (shalom) is often undermined by unchecked ambition and a lack of spiritual discernment. It calls believers to a deeper understanding of the human heart's capacity for treachery and the constant need for vigilance and wisdom in discerning intentions.

* [2 Samuel 12:10](/2_samuel/12-10 "2 Samuel 12:10 - The Sword Will Not Depart from Your House")
* [Proverbs 14:12](/proverbs/14-12 "Proverbs 14:12 - A Way That Seems Right")
* [Matthew 10:16](/matthew/10-16 "Matthew 10:16 - Wise as Serpents and Innocent as Doves")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The tragic irony of 2 Samuel 15:9 compels us to reflect on the nature of trust, betrayal, and the often-hidden motives behind seemingly innocent actions. David's trusting nature, while admirable in its purity, proved vulnerable to Absalom's calculated deceit. This serves as a sobering reminder that not all who speak words of peace harbor peaceful intentions. For believers, this passage highlights the critical importance of spiritual discernment, urging us to look beyond superficial appearances and to prayerfully seek wisdom in our relationships and decisions. It also confronts us with the painful reality of betrayal, reminding us that even within families or close communities, the seeds of ambition and resentment can sprout into devastating conflict. We are called to examine our own hearts for any hidden motives, to cultivate genuine integrity, and to be prepared for the consequences that arise when trust is broken or ambition is left unchecked by righteousness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do we cultivate spiritual discernment to recognize deceptive intentions in others, even when their words seem pious or harmless?**
* **What are the personal and communal consequences of unchecked ambition, as seen in Absalom's actions?**
* **How does David's trusting, yet ultimately vulnerable, response challenge or inform our understanding of parental trust and leadership?**

### FAQ
**Why was Hebron chosen by Absalom as the base for his rebellion?**

Answer: Absalom's choice of Hebron was highly strategic and symbolic. Firstly, Hebron was David's original capital, where he was first anointed king over Judah ([2 Samuel 2:1-4](/2_samuel/2-1 "2 Samuel 2:1 - David Anointed King in Hebron")). This historical connection lent a sense of legitimacy to Absalom's claim, suggesting a return to older traditions or a challenge to Jerusalem's relatively newer status as the capital. Secondly, Hebron was a major city in the territory of Judah, Absalom's own tribe, allowing him to tap into tribal loyalties and potential grievances against David's centralized rule in Jerusalem. Its location also offered a degree of separation and a defensible position from which to launch his coup, making it an ideal staging ground for a popular uprising.

**What is the significance of David saying "Go in peace"?**

Answer: David's utterance, "Go in peace" (`lekh leshalom`), is a common Hebrew blessing for safe travel and well-being, reflecting a sincere fatherly wish. Its significance in this context is deeply ironic and tragic. David, unaware of Absalom's true, treacherous intentions, bestows a blessing of peace upon a journey that is designed to bring war, chaos, and profound distress to his family and kingdom. This phrase highlights David's unsuspecting trust and Absalom's profound deceit, underscoring the chasm between the king's genuine desire for his son's welfare and Absalom's calculated ambition to usurp the throne, ultimately leading to anything but peace.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Absalom's betrayal of David, initiated in 2 Samuel 15:9, serves as a poignant foreshadowing of the ultimate betrayal experienced by the true King, Jesus Christ. Just as David, a king after God's own heart, was betrayed by his beloved son, so too was Christ betrayed by one of His own disciples, Judas Iscariot ([John 13:21](/john/13-21 "John 13:21 - Jesus Predicts His Betrayal")). David's trusting "Go in peace" to Absalom, who intended war, finds its parallel in Christ's profound suffering at the hands of those He came to save, even as He offered them the ultimate peace. Unlike David, who was momentarily deceived, Jesus perfectly discerned the hearts of men, yet willingly submitted to the betrayal for the sake of God's redemptive plan ([John 6:70-71](/john/6-70 "John 6:70 - Jesus Knows His Betrayer")). Absalom's ambition led to a kingdom of strife and a false peace, but Christ, the true "Prince of Peace" ([Isaiah 9:6](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6 - Prince of Peace")), establishes a kingdom not through rebellion and deceit, but through self-sacrifice and truth. His peace is not a superficial absence of conflict but a profound, holistic _shalom_ that reconciles humanity to God and offers true rest for the soul ([John 14:27](/john/14-27 "John 14:27 - My Peace I Give to You")). Thus, Absalom's tragic path underscores the necessity of Christ's perfect kingship, which brings genuine peace and eternal reconciliation, fulfilling what no earthly king, however righteous, could fully achieve.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.