2 Samuel 15:5
And whenever a man came near to pay homage to him, he would put out his hand and take hold of him and kiss him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Absalom's repeated, public gestures of grabbing and kissing people he met weren't just friendly greetings; they were calculated displays designed to steal their hearts and undermine his father's authority. This wasn't genuine affection but a deliberate strategy to make himself appear more approachable and beloved than King David.
Absalom, having stolen the hearts of Israel with his charm, is now making a calculated move to seize the throne from his father, David. He's positioned himself at the city gate, a place of public judgment, pretending to listen to petitions and then offering a seemingly gracious embrace, all part of his elaborate deception to undermine David’s authority. This scene is the prelude to his open rebellion, as he systematically builds support and waits for the opportune moment to declare himself king.
Understand the original words
chawah · Hebrew Verb
An act of profound reverence, submission, and adoration, due exclusively to God, though sometimes misused as a sign of respect toward human authority.
Absalom's deceptive charm and calculated actions, like the specific gesture described, were key to undermining his father David's authority and winning popular support during his rebellion.
c. 1010 BC
David Anointed King
David is anointed king over Israel, beginning his reign and a period of unification and expansion for the kingdom.
c. 1000 BC
David Captures Jerusalem
David conquers Jerusalem and establishes it as the capital of Israel, bringing the Ark of the Covenant to the city.
c. 992 BC
Amnon Rapes Tamar
David's son Amnon rapes his half-sister Tamar, an event that deeply fractures the royal family and sows seeds of rebellion.
c. 991 BC
Absalom Kills Amnon
Absalom, Tamar's full brother, avenges her honor by having Amnon murdered, leading to his own exile from Jerusalem.
c. 985 BC
Absalom Returns to Jerusalem
This passage describes Samuel anointing Saul as king, a moment of acclamation where Saul would have received similar gestures of homage, highlighting the public recognition of leadership.
Luke 22:47-48Here, Judas betrays Jesus with a kiss, a perverted act of homage that contrasts sharply with legitimate submission, showing how such gestures can be used for deception.
Psalm 2:12This psalm calls people to 'kiss the Son' as an act of reverence and submission to God's chosen king, illustrating the intended spiritual meaning behind the act of homage.
Matthew 18:29-30The parable of the unmerciful servant uses the image of seizing someone by the throat and demanding payment, which mirrors the physical grip described in the 2 Samuel passage and highlights the contrast between graciousness and harshness in dealings.
Absalom's repeated, public gestures of grabbing and kissing people he met weren't just friendly greetings; they were calculated displays designed to steal their hearts and undermine his father's authority. This wasn't genuine affection but a deliberate strategy to make himself appear more approachable and beloved than King David.
Absalom, having stolen the hearts of Israel with his charm, is now making a calculated move to seize the throne from his father, David. He's positioned himself at the city gate, a place of public judgment, pretending to listen to petitions and then offering a seemingly gracious embrace, all part of his elaborate deception to undermine David’s authority. This scene is the prelude to his open rebellion, as he systematically builds support and waits for the opportune moment to declare himself king.
Absalom, having stolen the hearts of Israel with his charm, is now making a calculated move to seize the throne from his father, David. He's positioned himself at the city gate, a place of public judgment, pretending to listen to petitions and then offering a seemingly gracious embrace, all part of his elaborate deception to undermine David’s authority. This scene is the prelude to his open rebellion, as he systematically builds support and waits for the opportune moment to declare himself king.
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After years in exile, Absalom is allowed to return to Jerusalem but remains estranged from his father, David.
c. 980 BC— this verse
Absalom's Rebellion Begins
Absalom secretly conspires against David, winning over the hearts of the people and eventually launching a full-scale rebellion from Hebron.
"And whenever a man came near to pay homage to him, he would put out his hand and take hold of him and kiss him." — Absalom's repeated, public gestures of grabbing and kissing people he met weren't just friendly greetings; they were calculated displays designed to steal their hearts and undermine his father's auth…
