Shmuel II Chapters 15-16 | Avshalom's Rebellion

The tension David feels regarding his son Avshalom is evident already in the previous chapter. On the one hand, "David was no longer driven to march out against Avshalom" (13:39), but on the other hand, when Avshalom does return to Jerusalem, David says, "Let him turn off to his house; he will not be admitted to my presence" (14:24). This tension reaches new heights in the main event of this chapter - Avshalom's Rebellion. Even though Avshalom is David's son, a fact David never forgets, he threatens David's kingship and attempts to overthrow his father.

Chapter 15 opens with royal displays that Avshalom adopts for himself. Gradually, he succeeds in deceiving the people of Isreal. Did David know about Avshalom's actions? It’s hard to imagine he was entirely oblivious. Did he try to stop him? The verses do not describe any reaction from David, which may suggest that he watched from the side in silence. Perhaps it reflects the respect he felt for Avshalom as his son.

Since the sin with Batsheva, David's behavior has been relatively passive. The dominant figure we once knew seems to recede — his response to Amnon and Tamar’s incident is notably lacking, and in his tension with Avshalom, it is Yoav who takes the lead. However, in our chapter, when David learns that Avshalom has crowned himself in Hevron, he assumes clear leadership. In David's actions during his flight from Jerusalem, we see several events that highlight fundamental points, which we will outline briefly. For further reading on David's flight from Avshalom, we recommend Rav Amnon Bazak’s analysis.

1. The choice to leave Jerusalem: A king typically identifies with his city and his place of rule. Yet, when David recognizes the rebellion closing in, he chooses to leave Jerusalem "in case he is faster … and puts the city to the sword" (15:14). David risks his status as king and forgoes fortifying himself to save the city. This choice is especially striking considering the connection between kingship and Jerusalem. David sets himself aside and leaves the city, signaling clearly that Jerusalem does not belong to David as a person but to the King of Israel. If David is no longer king, Jerusalem is no longer his; it belongs to the chosen ruler.

2. Accepting divine judgment: David’s flight reveals his inner perspective on events. When Tzadok joins David with the Ark of the Covenant, David insists that the Ark be returned to Jerusalem. Just as he gives up his personal claim to Jerusalem, he denies ownership of the Ark, showing his acceptance of God’s judgment: "If I find favor in the Lord’s sight, He will bring me back and let me see it and its abode. But if He says thus, 'I take no pleasure in you,' I am ready; let Him do as He sees fit" (15:25-26). This perspective is echoed in his response to Shimi son of Gera’s curses: "Let him curse – perhaps the Lord has told him to curse David" (16:10). Chazal (Midrash Tehillim 3) interpret Shimi’s curses as accusations for David’s sin with Batsheva, highlighting David’s willingness to accept divine judgment.

3. The House of Sha’ul: The rebellion against David's rule awakens the dormant issues surrounding the House of Sha’ul, putting the Davidic dynasty to the test. Tziva claims that Mefiboshet, Sha’ul’s son, seeks to restore Sha’ul’s kingdom, and at this stage, David believes him. Later, David encounters Shimi, a relative of Sha’ul, who seizes the opportunity to curse David for his actions and accuses him of bloodshed: "Get out, get out, you man of blood, you depraved man! The Lord has brought all the blood of the house of Sha’ul back upon you" (16:7-8). Avishai expresses his desire to kill Shimi and calls him a “dead dog.”  This is similar to an earlier tension-filled episode when David was pursued by Sha’ul. There, David refers to himself as a “dead dog” (Shmuel I 24:14) and refrains from harming the King of Israel despite the opportunity. Now, David, being the King of Israel, is being cursed by a "dead dog," but once again refrains from harming his adversary.

For a broader analysis of Avshalom's rebellion, see Dr. Yael Ziegler’s shiur contrasting the early successes of David’s reign with his later painful decline.