2 samuel 15:5 - 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.
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What does "2 samuel 15:5" mean?
This verse from 2 Samuel 15:5 describes the actions of Absalom as he was attempting to usurp the throne from his father, King David. Let's break it down:
"It was so, that when any man came near to bow down to him...": Bowing was a sign of respect and submission to a king or someone in authority. People were coming to Absalom to acknowledge his status and potentially seek his favor.
"...he stretched out his hand, and took hold of him...": Instead of simply accepting the bow, Absalom actively reached out and grasped the person. This was an unusual and perhaps disarming gesture.
"...and kissed him.": Kissing was a common greeting, but in this context, it was likely an overly familiar and manipulative action. It would have been a sign of affection, acceptance, and perhaps a feigned equality.
The Meaning:
Absalom was engaging in calculated flattery and manipulation to win the hearts of the people. By preventing them from bowing and instead embracing them with a kiss, he was:
Appearing humble: He was seemingly rejecting the traditional displays of deference, suggesting he was one of the people and not above them.
Creating a sense of equality: The kiss implied a bond and a feeling that he understood and cared about the individuals.
Winning favor: People were likely flattered and impressed by this personal attention, making them more inclined to support Absalom's ambitions.
Undermining David's authority: By actively preventing people from showing the respect due to the king, he was subtly diminishing David's image and strengthening his own.
In short, Absalom's actions were a deceptive and strategic way to gain popularity and create a power base for his rebellion against his father, David. He was essentially using charm and false affection to undermine the established order and advance his own self-serving goals.
2 samuel 15:5 - 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.
What does "2 samuel 15:5" mean?
This verse from 2 Samuel 15:5 describes the actions of Absalom as he was attempting to usurp the throne from his father, King David. Let's break it down:
"It was so, that when any man came near to bow down to him...": Bowing was a sign of respect and submission to a king or someone in authority. People were coming to Absalom to acknowledge his status and potentially seek his favor.
"...he stretched out his hand, and took hold of him...": Instead of simply accepting the bow, Absalom actively reached out and grasped the person. This was an unusual and perhaps disarming gesture.
"...and kissed him.": Kissing was a common greeting, but in this context, it was likely an overly familiar and manipulative action. It would have been a sign of affection, acceptance, and perhaps a feigned equality.
The Meaning:
Absalom was engaging in calculated flattery and manipulation to win the hearts of the people. By preventing them from bowing and instead embracing them with a kiss, he was:
Appearing humble: He was seemingly rejecting the traditional displays of deference, suggesting he was one of the people and not above them.
Creating a sense of equality: The kiss implied a bond and a feeling that he understood and cared about the individuals.
Winning favor: People were likely flattered and impressed by this personal attention, making them more inclined to support Absalom's ambitions.
Undermining David's authority: By actively preventing people from showing the respect due to the king, he was subtly diminishing David's image and strengthening his own.
In short, Absalom's actions were a deceptive and strategic way to gain popularity and create a power base for his rebellion against his father, David. He was essentially using charm and false affection to undermine the established order and advance his own self-serving goals.