👉 But if thou return to the city, and say unto Absalom, I will be thy servant, O king; [as] I [have been] thy father’s servant hitherto, so [will] I now also [be] thy servant: then mayest thou for me defeat the counsel of Ahithophel.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 2 Samuel 15:34. It's a pretty dramatic and strategic moment in the story of Absalom’s rebellion against his father David. Here’s a simple explanation: The Basic Situation: Absalom is rebelling: Absalom, son of David, is refusing to obey his father’s commands and wants to rule himself. He's essentially plotting to overthrow David. He’s asking for help: He’s appealing to David to let him be his servant, just like he was his father’s servant before. What the Verse Says - It’s About a Deal: This verse is a crucial part of Absalom's plan. He’s offering David a deal: “If you allow me to be your servant, then I will defeat the counsel of Ahithophel.” Let’s unpack that: Ahithophel: This was a wise advisor to David who was trying to stop Absalom from rebelling. “Defeat the counsel…” : Absalom wants to overcome the advice and plans of his advisors, specifically Ahithophel. He wants to make his own decisions. “…of Ahithophel” : This is the key part – he’s offering to defeat a specific, powerful advisor. In simpler terms: Absalom is asking David to let him be his servant, but only if he agrees to ignore the advice of his advisor, Ahithophel. The Significance - It's about Power and Strategy: This verse highlights a crucial point: Absalom is trying to gain power by manipulating his father and using his own ambition. He’s essentially saying, “I’ll do what I want, but I’m willing to be subordinate to someone who can advise me.” It shows him understanding that sometimes, simply being allowed to do something doesn't guarantee success. Overall Meaning: This verse is a moment of calculated risk and maneuvering. Absalom is attempting to establish himself as the dominant figure, even if it means sacrificing his own authority and potentially facing opposition. It speaks to a desire for control and ambition within a context of political tension. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of this verse? Connect it to a broader theme in the Bible (like leadership or rebellion)?

👉 "2 Samuel 15:34," a word you may not be familiar with, is used in ancient Hebrew texts to describe the time when a man, who's also called "2 Samuel," was in a state of rebellion against God.

The verse translates from Greek into English as: "I have found them that have rebelled against me. They have said, ‘Let us go to war.’ But we did not go. 34 But they were strong and mighty; their strength was greater than the might of all the armies under heaven. For this reason God made them strong." This phrase suggests that a group of individuals who were known for rebellion against the Lord had suddenly turned to Him, showing great confidence in His power, while also revealing their unbridled zeal for fighting with weapons. An edgy example sentence could be: "2 Samuel 15:34 - A man who was in rebellion against God and became strong under the guidance of a wicked king may have gone off the deep end, causing much chaos. The strong men were said to be "strong," as if they had enormous might and power over the people around them." This sentence adds an element of excitement and danger by implying that this man's rebellion was not limited to his own group but was also taking hold of large portions of the population, perhaps leading to violence or other disturbing consequences.