Absalom seizes Israel’s loyalty through calculated flattery at the city gate, then launches his coup from Hebron - forcing David to flee Jerusalem barefoot and weeping in 2 Samuel 15.
Full sung version coming soon.
Lyrics
After this, Absalom prepared a chariot and horses for himself and fifty men to run before him And he rose up early and stood beside the way of the gate When any man had a suit which should come to the king for judgment Then Absalom called to him and said, What city are you from
He said, Your servant is of one of the tribes of Israel Absalom said to him, Behold, your matters are good and right But there is no man deputized by the king to hear you Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land
That every man who has any suit or cause might come to me and I would do him justice It was so that when any man came near to bow down to him He stretched out his hand and took hold of him and kissed him Absalom did this sort of thing to all Israel who came to the king for judgment
So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel At the end of forty years, Absalom said to the king Please let me go and pay my vow which I have vowed to the LORD in Hebron For your servant vowed a vow while I stayed at Geshur in Syria
Saying, If the LORD shall indeed bring me again to Jerusalem Then I will serve the LORD The king said to him, Go in peace So he arose and went to Hebron
But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel saying As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet Then you shall say, Absalom is king in Hebron Two hundred men went with Absalom out of Jerusalem
Who were invited and went in their simplicity and they didn’t know anything Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor From his city, even from Giloh while he was offering the sacrifices The conspiracy was strong for the people increased continually with Absalom
A messenger came to David saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, Arise Let’s flee or else none of us will escape from Absalom Hurry to depart lest he overtake us quickly and bring down evil on us
And strike the city with the edge of the sword The king’s servants said to the king, Behold, your servants are ready to do Whatever my lord the king chooses The king went out and all his household after him
The king left ten women who were concubines to keep the house The king went out and all the people after him And they stayed in Beth Merhak All his servants passed on beside him and all the Cherethites and all the Pelethites
Listen
2 Samuel 15 sung by Psalm Selah. The whole Bible, one chapter at a time.
Published 2026-05-22 · Last updated 2026-06-06
Written by Reid Wender, Editorial Director at Psalmody Press