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Book of 2 Samuel - Chapter 15 - Verse 9

15:9
And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron.

Meaning

After Absalom's rebellion against King David was put down and Absalom himself was killed, there was still unrest in Israel. At this point, a man named Amasa was appointed as the new commander of the army by David, in an effort to unify the nation. However, this decision was met with opposition from Joab, the previous commander who had been loyal to David. Joab saw Amasa as a threat to his position, and in a moment of treachery, he killed Amasa during a meeting they had in Hebron. Despite this act of violence, when David found out about the situation, he surprisingly did not retaliate against Joab. Instead, David simply told him to "Go in peace." This seemingly merciful response from David may have been a strategic decision to avoid causing further chaos in the kingdom, as Joab was a powerful figure in Israel. The fact that Joab then went to Hebron after being let go by David shows that he was still able to operate freely, reflecting David's complex approach to maintaining order in his kingdom.

Theological Overview

One possible theological interpretation of the verse "And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron." found in 2 Samuel 15:9, is that it illustrates the importance of seeking peace and reconciliation after conflicts or disagreements. In this particular instance, King David's response to the man who informed him of Absalom's actions demonstrates his desire for peace despite the betrayal he experienced. This could be viewed as a reflection of God's desire for His people to pursue peace and forgiveness in their relationships.

Additionally, a word study of the term "Hebron" mentioned in the verse reveals that Hebron was an important city in biblical times. It was a significant city in the land of Canaan and was closely associated with the patriarchs of Israel, particularly Abraham. Hebron was also a city of refuge and served as a place of sanctuary. Therefore, the mention of Hebron in this verse could symbolize a place of safety and refuge for the individual who was granted peace by King David, emphasizing the theme of seeking peace and finding refuge in times of trouble.

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