The Meaning of 2 Samuel 15:8 Explained

2 Samuel 15:8

KJV: For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the LORD shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD.

YLT: for a vow hath thy servant vowed in my dwelling in Geshur, in Aram, saying, If Jehovah doth certainly bring me back to Jerusalem, then I have served Jehovah.'

Darby: For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode in Geshur in Syria, saying, If Jehovah shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve Jehovah.

ASV: For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If Jehovah shall indeed bring me again to Jerusalem, then I will serve Jehovah.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

For thy servant  vowed  a vow  while I abode  at Geshur  in Syria,  saying,  If the LORD  shall bring me again  {08676;07725:08686} indeed to Jerusalem,  then I will serve  the LORD. 

What does 2 Samuel 15:8 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 15:8 mean?

For a vow took your servant while I dwelt at Geshur in Syria saying if - indeed brings me back Yahweh to Jerusalem then I will serve - Yahweh
כִּי־ נֵ֙דֶר֙ נָדַ֣ר עַבְדְּךָ֔ בְּשִׁבְתִּ֥י בִגְשׁ֛וּר בַּאֲרָ֖ם לֵאמֹ֑ר אִם־ [ישיב] (יָשׁ֨וֹב) יְשִׁיבֵ֤נִי יְהוָה֙ יְר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם וְעָבַדְתִּ֖י אֶת־ יְהוָֽה

נֵ֙דֶר֙  a  vow 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: נֵדֶר  
Sense: vow, votive offering.
נָדַ֣ר  took 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: נָדַר  
Sense: to vow, make a vow.
עַבְדְּךָ֔  your  servant 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, second person masculine singular
Root: עֶבֶד  
Sense: slave, servant.
בְּשִׁבְתִּ֥י  while  I  dwelt 
Parse: Preposition-b, Verb, Qal, Infinitive construct, first person common singular
Root: יָשַׁב 
Sense: to dwell, remain, sit, abide.
בִגְשׁ֛וּר  at  Geshur 
Parse: Preposition-b, Proper Noun, feminine singular
Root: גְּשׁוּר  
Sense: a people.
בַּאֲרָ֖ם  in  Syria 
Parse: Preposition-b, Proper Noun, feminine singular
Root: אֲרָם 
Sense: Aram or Syria the nation.
לֵאמֹ֑ר  saying 
Parse: Preposition-l, Verb, Qal, Infinitive construct
Root: אָמַר 
Sense: to say, speak, utter.
[ישיב]  - 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
(יָשׁ֨וֹב)  indeed 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Infinitive absolute
Root: שׁוּב  
Sense: to return, turn back.
יְשִׁיבֵ֤נִי  brings  me  back 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperfect, third person masculine singular, first person common singular
Root: שׁוּב  
Sense: to return, turn back.
יְהוָה֙  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
יְר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם  to  Jerusalem 
Parse: Proper Noun, feminine singular
Root: יְרוּשָׁלַםִ  
Sense: the chief city of Palestine and capital of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split.
וְעָבַדְתִּ֖י  then  I  will  serve 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive perfect, first person common singular
Root: עָבַד  
Sense: to work, serve.
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.
יְהוָֽה  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.