The Meaning of 2 Samuel 15:12 Explained

2 Samuel 15:12

KJV: And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counseller, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.

YLT: and Absalom sendeth Ahithophel the Gilonite, a counsellor of David, out of his city, out of Gilo, in his sacrificing sacrifices; and the conspiracy is strong, and the people are going and increasing with Absalom.

Darby: And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counsellor, from his city, from Giloh, while he offered the sacrifices. And the conspiracy gathered strength; and the people increased continually with Absalom.

ASV: And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counsellor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he was offering the sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And Absalom  sent  for Ahithophel  the Gilonite,  David's  counsellor,  from his city,  [even] from Giloh,  while he offered  sacrifices.  And the conspiracy  was strong;  for the people  increased  continually  with Absalom. 

What does 2 Samuel 15:12 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 15:12 mean?

And sent Absalom for Ahithophel the Gilonite counselor of David from his city from Giloh while he offered - sacrifices And grew the conspiracy strong for the people continually and increased in number with Absalom
וַיִּשְׁלַ֣ח אַ֠בְשָׁלוֹם אֶת־ אֲחִיתֹ֨פֶל הַגִּֽילֹנִ֜י יוֹעֵ֣ץ דָּוִ֗ד מֵֽעִירוֹ֙ מִגִּלֹ֔ה בְּזָבְח֖וֹ אֶת־ הַזְּבָחִ֑ים וַיְהִ֤י הַקֶּ֙שֶׁר֙ אַמִּ֔ץ וְהָעָ֛ם הוֹלֵ֥ךְ וָרָ֖ב אֶת־ אַבְשָׁלֽוֹם

וַיִּשְׁלַ֣ח  And  sent 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: שָׁלַח  
Sense: to send, send away, let go, stretch out.
אַ֠בְשָׁלוֹם  Absalom 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: אֲבִישָׁלֹום 
Sense: father-in-law of Rehoboam.
אֲחִיתֹ֨פֶל  Ahithophel 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: אֲחִיתֹפֶל  
Sense: a counsellor of David, grandfather of Bathsheba (cf 2Sa :3,.
הַגִּֽילֹנִ֜י  the  Gilonite 
Parse: Article, Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: גִּילֹנִי  
Sense: an inhabitant of Giloh.
יוֹעֵ֣ץ  counselor 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine singular construct
Root: יׄועֵץ 
Sense: to advise, consult, give counsel, counsel, purpose, devise, plan.
דָּוִ֗ד  of  David 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: דָּוִד  
Sense: youngest son of Jesse and second king of Israel.
מֵֽעִירוֹ֙  from  his  city 
Parse: Preposition-m, Noun, feminine singular construct, third person masculine singular
Root: עִיר 
Sense: excitement, anguish.
מִגִּלֹ֔ה  from  Giloh 
Parse: Preposition-m, Proper Noun, feminine singular
Root: גִּלֹה  
Sense: a city in the mountains of Judah, home town of Ahithophel.
בְּזָבְח֖וֹ  while  he  offered 
Parse: Preposition-b, Verb, Qal, Infinitive construct, third person masculine singular
Root: זָבַח  
Sense: to slaughter, kill, sacrifice, slaughter for sacrifice.
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.
הַזְּבָחִ֑ים  sacrifices 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine plural
Root: זֶבַח  
Sense: sacrifice.
וַיְהִ֤י  And  grew 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: אֶהְיֶה 
Sense: to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out.
הַקֶּ֙שֶׁר֙  the  conspiracy 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: קֶשֶׁר  
Sense: conspiracy, treason, (unlawful) alliance.
אַמִּ֔ץ  strong 
Parse: Adjective, masculine singular
Root: אַמִּיץ  
Sense: strong, mighty.
וְהָעָ֛ם  for  the  people 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: עַם 
Sense: nation, people.
הוֹלֵ֥ךְ  continually 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine singular
Root: הָלַךְ  
Sense: to go, walk, come.
וָרָ֖ב  and  increased  in  number 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Adjective, masculine singular
Root: רַב 
Sense: much, many, great.
אַבְשָׁלֽוֹם  Absalom 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: אֲבִישָׁלֹום 
Sense: father-in-law of Rehoboam.