2 Samuel 15:7

5 Also, when anyone approached to bow down to him, Absalom would reach out his hand, take hold of him, and kiss him.

6 Absalom did this to all the Israelites who came to the king for justice. In this way he stole the hearts of the men of Israel.

After four years had passed, Absalom said to the king, “Please let me go to Hebron to fulfill a vow I have made to the LORD.

8 For your servant made a vow while dwelling in Geshur of Aram, saying: ‘If indeed the LORD brings me back to Jerusalem, I will worship the LORD in Hebron.’”

9 “Go in peace,” said the king. So Absalom got up and went to Hebron.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
After four years had passed, Absalom said to the king, “Please let me go to Hebron to fulfill a vow I have made to the LORD.
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.
WEB
At the end of forty years, Absalom said to the king, “Please let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed to the LORD, in Hebron.
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.
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.
BLB
And it came to pass after four years that Absalom said to the king, “Let me go, please, and pay the vow that I made to YHWH in Hebron.
ÅB
Da det nå var gått fire år, sa Absalom til kongen: La meg få dra til Hebron og innfri det løfte jeg har gjort Herren!
OTB
Nå, ved slutten av fire år, sa Absalom til kongen, "Vær så snill, la meg dra og betale mitt løfte som jeg har gjort til Herren i Hebron.
B1930
Da det nu var gått fire år, sa Absalom til kongen: La mig få dra til Hebron og innfri det løfte jeg har gjort Herren!

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Isaiah 58:4

    You fast with contention and strife to strike viciously with your fist. You cannot fast as you do today and have your voice be heard on high.

    Read in context
  • 2 Samuel 13:24–27

    And he went to the king and said, “Your servant has just hired shearers. Will the king and his servants please come with me?”

    Read in context
  • 1 Samuel 16:1–2

    Now the LORD said to Samuel, “How long are you going to mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have selected from his sons a king for Myself.”

    Read in context
  • 2 Samuel 13:38

    After Absalom had fled and gone to Geshur, he stayed there three years.

    Read in context
  • Proverbs 21:27

    The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable— how much more so when brought with ill intent!

    Read in context
  • Matthew 23:13

    Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let in those who wish to enter.

    Read in context
  • Matthew 2:8

    And sending them to Bethlehem, he said: “Go and search carefully for the Child, and when you find Him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship Him.”

    Read in context
  • 1 Samuel 16:13

    So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward. Then Samuel set out and went to Ramah.

    Read in context