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2 Samuel 15:23

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And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness.

And all the country {H776} wept {H1058} with a loud {H1419} voice {H6963}, and all the people {H5971} passed over {H5674}: the king {H4428} also himself passed over {H5674} the brook {H5158} Kidron {H6939}, and all the people {H5971} passed over {H5674}, toward {H6440} the way {H1870} of the wilderness {H4057}.

The whole country wept and wailed as all the people left. When the king crossed Vadi Kidron, all the people crossed, too, heading toward the desert road.

Everyone in the countryside was weeping loudly as all the people passed by. And as the king crossed the Kidron Valley, all the people also passed toward the way of the wilderness.

And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness.

Commentary

2 Samuel 15:23 captures a poignant and sorrowful moment in the life of King David, marking his forced exodus from Jerusalem due to the rebellion orchestrated by his own son, Absalom. The verse vividly portrays the widespread grief and the desperate flight of the king and his loyal followers.

Context of David's Flight

This verse is set during one of the most tumultuous periods in David's reign. Absalom, David's charismatic and ambitious son, had successfully conspired to usurp the throne, winning the hearts of the people of Israel. Faced with a rebellion of such magnitude, and desiring to avoid bloodshed within the city, King David made the difficult decision to abandon Jerusalem. His departure was not merely a strategic retreat but a deeply humiliating and heart-wrenching exile, underscoring the severe consequences of sin and internal strife within his own family and kingdom.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Profound Grief and Dislocation: The phrase "all the country wept with a loud voice" emphasizes the immense sorrow and distress felt by the populace. It highlights the national tragedy and the disruption of peace caused by Absalom's rebellion. The flight itself signifies loss, uncertainty, and the painful reality of being uprooted from one's home and position.
  • The King's Humiliation and Vulnerability: David, once the mighty warrior and beloved king, is seen fleeing his capital. His crossing of the brook Kidron (also mentioned in John 18:1 in the context of Jesus' betrayal) symbolizes a moment of deep spiritual and political vulnerability. It's a stark reminder that even powerful leaders face trials and suffering.
  • Fidelity Amidst Treachery: Despite the widespread defection to Absalom, a significant portion of the people remained loyal to David, choosing to follow him into the wilderness. This demonstrates enduring fidelity and the strength of personal bonds, even in the face of immense pressure and danger.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "wept" (בָּכָה, bakah) signifies a deep, audible weeping, often accompanied by wailing. The repetition of "passed over" (עָבַר, 'avar) emphasizes the continuous stream of people in motion, highlighting the scale of the exodus and the collective act of leaving everything behind. The "brook Kidron" (נַחַל קִדְרוֹן, nachal Qidron) was a valley or wadi on the eastern side of Jerusalem, significant as a natural boundary and a place often associated with purification or, in this case, a passage out of the city during a time of defilement or distress.

Practical Application and Reflection

This verse offers several enduring lessons. It reminds us that even righteous individuals can experience profound suffering and betrayal, often from unexpected sources. David's flight teaches us about resilience in adversity and the importance of a loyal community during times of crisis. It also underscores the devastating impact of division and rebellion. For believers, David's journey through the Kidron and into the wilderness can be seen as a type of spiritual journey—a period of testing and purification before restoration, much like the "valley of the shadow of death". Ultimately, it points to the sovereign hand of God even in moments of chaos, working out His purposes through human events, as David's eventual restoration to the throne would later demonstrate.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Samuel 16:2 (4 votes)

    And the king said unto Ziba, What meanest thou by these? And Ziba said, The asses [be] for the king's household to ride on; and the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat; and the wine, that such as be faint in the wilderness may drink.

  • 1 Kings 2:37 (3 votes)

    For it shall be, [that] on the day thou goest out, and passest over the brook Kidron, thou shalt know for certain that thou shalt surely die: thy blood shall be upon thine own head.

  • John 18:1 (3 votes)

    ¶ When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples.

  • Matthew 3:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,

  • 2 Chronicles 29:16 (2 votes)

    And the priests went into the inner part of the house of the LORD, to cleanse [it], and brought out all the uncleanness that they found in the temple of the LORD into the court of the house of the LORD. And the Levites took [it], to carry [it] out abroad into the brook Kidron.

  • 1 Kings 15:13 (2 votes)

    And also Maachah his mother, even her he removed from [being] queen, because she had made an idol in a grove; and Asa destroyed her idol, and burnt [it] by the brook Kidron.

  • Romans 12:15 (2 votes)

    Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.