The Meaning of 2 Samuel 15:7 Explained

2 Samuel 15:7

KJV: And it came to pass after forty years, that Absalom said unto the king, I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto the LORD, in Hebron.

YLT: And it cometh to pass, at the end of forty years, that Absalom saith unto the king, 'Let me go, I pray thee, and I complete my vow, that I vowed to Jehovah in Hebron,

Darby: And it came to pass at the end of forty years, that Absalom said to the king, I pray thee, let me go and pay in Hebron my vow which I have vowed to Jehovah.

ASV: And it came to pass at the end of forty years, that Absalom said unto the king, I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto Jehovah, in Hebron.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And it came to pass after  forty  years,  that Absalom  said  unto the king,  I pray thee, let me go  and pay  my vow,  which I have vowed  unto the LORD,  in Hebron. 

What does 2 Samuel 15:7 Mean?

Study Notes

forty
Some authorities read "four."

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 15:7 mean?

And it came to pass after forty years that said Absalom to the king let me go please and pay - the vow which I made to Yahweh to Hebron
וַיְהִ֕י מִקֵּ֖ץ אַרְבָּעִ֣ים שָׁנָ֑ה וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אַבְשָׁלוֹם֙ אֶל־ הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ אֵ֣לֲכָה נָּ֗א וַאֲשַׁלֵּ֛ם אֶת־ נִדְרִ֛י אֲשֶׁר־ נָדַ֥רְתִּי לַֽיהוָ֖ה בְּחֶבְרֽוֹן

וַיְהִ֕י  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.
מִקֵּ֖ץ  after 
Parse: Preposition-m, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: קֵץ  
Sense: end.
אַרְבָּעִ֣ים  forty 
Parse: Number, common plural
Root: אַרְבָּעִים  
Sense: forty.
שָׁנָ֑ה  years 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: שָׁנָה  
Sense: year.
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר  that  said 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: אָמַר 
Sense: to say, speak, utter.
אַבְשָׁלוֹם֙  Absalom 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: אֲבִישָׁלֹום 
Sense: father-in-law of Rehoboam.
הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ  the  king 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: מֶלֶךְ 
Sense: king.
אֵ֣לֲכָה  let  me  go 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect Cohortative, first person common singular
Root: הָלַךְ  
Sense: to go, walk, come.
נָּ֗א  please 
Parse: Interjection
Root: נָא  
Sense: I (we) pray, now, please.
וַאֲשַׁלֵּ֛ם  and  pay 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Piel, Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative if contextual, first person common singular
Root: שָׁלֵם  
Sense: .
אֶת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
נִדְרִ֛י  the  vow 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, first person common singular
Root: נֵדֶר  
Sense: vow, votive offering.
נָדַ֥רְתִּי  I  made 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, first person common singular
Root: נָדַר  
Sense: to vow, make a vow.
לַֽיהוָ֖ה  to  Yahweh 
Parse: Preposition-l, Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
בְּחֶבְרֽוֹן  to  Hebron 
Parse: Preposition-b, Proper Noun, feminine singular
Root: חֶבְרֹון 
Sense: a city in south Judah approx 20 south of Jerusalem and approx 20 miles (30 km) north of Beersheba and near where Abraham built an altar.