The Meaning of 2 Samuel 15:1 Explained

2 Samuel 15:1

KJV: And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.

YLT: And it cometh to pass afterwards, that Absalom prepareth for himself a chariot, and horses, and fifty men are running before him;

Darby: And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared for himself chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.

ASV: And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him a chariot and horses, and fifty men to run before him.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And it came to pass after this,  that Absalom  prepared  him chariots  and horses,  and fifty  men  to run  before  him. 

What does 2 Samuel 15:1 Mean?

Context Summary

2 Samuel 15:1-12 - The Plot Of The Ambitious Son
David's government had become lax. Many causes were awaiting trial. Cases demanding his royal decision had accumulated. Suitors could get nothing done. Discontent was rife. The king had forfeited the former love and respect of his people. Perhaps the story of his sin had leaked out. It is thought, also, that at this time he was smitten by disease and that Psalms 41:1-13; Psalms 55:1-23 record the sufferings of those withered years. Meanwhile, Absalom was undermining the throne and dividing the heart of the people.
How soon the heart may become alienated from its rightful king! The Absaloms ingratiate themselves, and wean away our loyalty, and love from Jesus. Is there a favorite that fawns on you, and entices you to a lower level than you occupied in earlier, happier days? If so, your King may be driven from the citadel of your soul, and you may be left to mourn over the tragedy caused by the transference of your heart's affections. Be warned ere it be too late. Deal sternly with Absalom! [source]

Chapter Summary: 2 Samuel 15

1  Absalom, by fair speeches and courtesies, steals the hearts of Israel
7  By pretense of a vow, he obtains leave to go to Hebron
10  He makes there a great conspiracy
13  David upon the news flees from Jerusalem
19  Ittai will leave him
24  Zadok and Abiathar are sent back with the ark
30  David and his company go up mount Olivet weeping,
31  He curses Ahithophel's counsel
32  Hushai is sent back with instructions

What do the individual words in 2 Samuel 15:1 mean?

And it came to pass after this that provided himself Absalom with chariots and horses and fifty men to run before him
וַֽיְהִי֙ מֵאַ֣חֲרֵי כֵ֔ן וַיַּ֤עַשׂ לוֹ֙ אַבְשָׁל֔וֹם מֶרְכָּבָ֖ה וְסֻסִ֑ים וַחֲמִשִּׁ֥ים אִ֖ישׁ רָצִ֥ים לְפָנָֽיו

וַֽיְהִי֙  And  it  came  to  pass 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: אֶהְיֶה 
Sense: to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out.
מֵאַ֣חֲרֵי  after 
Parse: Preposition-m
Root: אַחַר 
Sense: after the following part, behind (of place), hinder, afterwards (of time).
כֵ֔ן  this 
Parse: Adverb
Root: כֵּן 
Sense: so, therefore, thus.
וַיַּ֤עַשׂ  that  provided 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: עָשָׂה 
Sense: to do, fashion, accomplish, make.
לוֹ֙  himself 
Parse: Preposition, third person masculine singular
אַבְשָׁל֔וֹם  Absalom 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: אֲבִישָׁלֹום 
Sense: father-in-law of Rehoboam.
מֶרְכָּבָ֖ה  with  chariots 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: מֶרְכָּבָה  
Sense: chariot.
וְסֻסִ֑ים  and  horses 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine plural
Root: סוּס 
Sense: swallow, swift.
וַחֲמִשִּׁ֥ים  and  fifty 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Number, common plural
Root: חֲמִשִּׁים 
Sense: fifty.
אִ֖ישׁ  men 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: אִישׁ 
Sense: man.
רָצִ֥ים  to  run 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine plural
Root: רוּץ 
Sense: to run.
לְפָנָֽיו  before  him 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, common plural construct, third person masculine singular
Root: לִפְנֵי 
Sense: face.