2Samuel 15:1 ¶ And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.
2Samuel 15:2 And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel.
2Samuel 15:3 And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee.
2Samuel 15:4 Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice!
2Samuel 15:5 And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him.
2Samuel 15:6 And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
Having gained his freedom to move about the city, Absalom wasted no time in acquiring a chariot and horses and gathering together a group of fifty men to run ahead of him. I think this was part of his plan to present himself to the people as the heir to the throne.
The IVP Commentary provides this note concerning the chariot: “The word used here suggests an ornamental chariot of the sort used both in Egypt and Mesopotamia. The luxury transportation of the day, these were typically gilded with all variety of gold, lapis lazuli and precious stones.”
He would get up early each morning and position himself at the gate of the city so as to be able to ingratiate himself to those coming to the city. It was the custom of that day for the people to conduct legal matters at the gate of the city.
Whenever he encountered a man coming to the city seeking judicial help from the king, Absalom would ask them what city they were from. Upon being told a specific city, Absalom would affirm that the man had a legitimate case to present; but, unfortunately, there was no designated judge available to hear his case. Absalom would then declare that if he were made the judge in the land, every man would be able to come to him and receive justice. When any man sought to bow before him, he would reach out to hug him instead.
It is obvious that Absalom aspired to dethrone his father, and it wasn’t long before the men of Israel began to wish the same.
Wiersbe: “David was a hero; Absalom was only a celebrity. Alas, many of the people had gotten accustomed to their king and now took him for granted. But people who confuse image with integrity and public relations with character end up supporting leaders who can only lead them astray.”
2Samuel 15:7 ¶ 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.
2Samuel 15:8 For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the LORD shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD.
2Samuel 15:9 And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron.
Commentators agree that there is a textual error in verse 7. Both the Septuagint and Josephus translate the forty as four years. That certainly makes sense in context with the rest of the book.
So, it would seem that Absalom kept up his presence at the gate for two years before deciding it was time to take action to dethrone his father. He first approached his father and asked permission to go to Hebron and make good on a vow he had made to the LORD. He explained that while he was in Geshur in Syria, he had promised the LORD that he would serve and worship Him if He would bring him home again to Jerusalem.
David readily agreed to his son’s request and sent him away in peace.
Guzik has a pertinent observation regarding the phrase, “Go in peace” – “Ironically, these were David's last words to Absalom. Upon hearing these, Absalom went to carry on the plot to overthrow David's kingdom.”
2Samuel 15:10 But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron.
2Samuel 15:11 And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing.
2Samuel 15:12 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.
It seems that Absalom went to Hebron, but not to pay a vow to the LORD. He was prepared to make himself king over Israel. Absalom had apparently gathered a great number of men who were willing to help him achieve his goal. He sent messengers or “tale-bearers” throughout Israel that were instructed to declare him king in Hebron when they heard the trumpet signal.
The IVP Commentary offers some insight on why Absalom probably chose Hebron: “It is shrewd political maneuver on Absalom’s part to be crowned in Hebron (nineteen miles southeast of Jerusalem). In addition to being the site of the ancestral burial cave at Machpelah, it was also David’s capital city when he was king of Judah. Absalom thereby associates himself with the covenant and the roots of David’s original power center. He also puts enough space between himself and Jerusalem to prevent interference and set the stage for his march on the capital.”
When Absalom left Jerusalem, 200 men accompanied him who had no clue what he was planning. JFB suggests that these men were men of repute that were chosen to lend credence to his claim. One can’t help but wonder what excuse he used to get these men to go with him on what was supposedly such a personal matter.
Absalom also sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor who lived in Giloh, to come and join him in offering sacrifices. Reminder: Ahithophel was Bathsheba’s grandfather. From the following context, we can assume that he still harbored ill will against the king for his sin with his granddaughter.
Isn’t it interesting how men can think that the LORD will honor their sacrifices even as they choose to rebel against His will? I can’t help but think of people who “claim” to be Christians today that practice sin that is specifically identified in His word—e.g., living together without benefit of marriage, using deceitful business practices, denying the truth of scripture, denying God as Creator, etc.—and expect the LORD to answer their prayers.
JFB provided an interesting observation: “The rapid accession of one place after another in all parts of the kingdom to the party of the insurgents, shows that deep and general dissatisfaction existed at this time against the person and government of David.”
I think that observation is probably valid considering David’s response as shown below.
2Samuel 15:13 ¶ And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.
2Samuel 15:14 And David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not else escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword.
2Samuel 15:15 And the king’s servants said unto the king, Behold, thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint.
It wasn’t long until a messenger came to David warning him that his government was in danger because the people were turning their allegiance to Absalom. David, the mighty warrior, responded in a spirit of defeat rather than confront his son. He told his servants in Jerusalem to prepare to flee because they would not be able to escape Absalom. What a change from the young man that faced the giant Goliath in the name of the LORD. This tells me that David’s guilt over his past sins had probably affected his faith and his confidence that the LORD would be with him.
David urged his servants to hurry before Absalom and his troops could make a surprise attack and devastate the city. He was convinced they would not be able to defeat the attacker. I think he was also concerned about the danger to the people of the city. The king’s servants assured David that they were ready to do his bidding.
Frankly, it is a bit of a miracle in and of itself that David’s servants were ready to follow him in retreating. I believe these were probably men that held to the truth that David was the LORD’s anointed and that their flight was temporary.
2Samuel 15:16 And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, which were concubines, to keep the house.
2Samuel 15:17 And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off.
2Samuel 15:18 And all his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men which came after him from Gath, passed on before the king.
King David headed out with all of his household except for ten concubines that he left behind to take care of the palace. The king led his people to a place at the outskirts of the city and then waited as his servants passed before him, including those who were of foreign descent—the Cherethites, the Pelethites, the Gittites, and 600 men from Gath.
2Samuel 15:19 Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Wherefore goest thou also with us? return to thy place, and abide with the king: for thou art a stranger, and also an exile.
2Samuel 15:20 Whereas thou camest but yesterday, should I this day make thee go up and down with us? seeing I go whither I may, return thou, and take back thy brethren: mercy and truth be with thee.
2Samuel 15:21 And Ittai answered the king, and said, As the LORD liveth, and as my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will thy servant be.
2Samuel 15:22 And David said to Ittai, Go and pass over. And Ittai the Gittite passed over, and all his men, and all the little ones that were with him.
When the king saw Ittai the Gittite, he asked him why he was with them. He had just come to Jerusalem the day before seeking exile. David told Ittai that he should take his kinsmen back to the city with him and make a life under the new king. He even pronounced a blessing of mercy and truth to go with him.
It seems that David was ready to cede the kingdom to Absalom without a fight.
Ittai quickly told David that he was his king, and he would live or die with him. This statement brought to mind Ruth’s statement to Naomi when she was determined to return to Bethlehem with her.
Ruth 1:16–17 “And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.”
So David allowed Ittai and his family to pass by.
2Samuel 15:23 And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness.
To see the king departing from Jerusalem with all his servants caused great mourning throughout the countryside. They eventually passed over the brook Kidron and headed toward the wilderness.
The IVP Commentary provides more geographic detail: “David leaves Jerusalem traveling east across the Kidron Valley toward the Mount of Olives, the hill across the valley from Jerusalem. He then continues northeast to Bahurim following the Jerusalem to Jericho road to the Jordan Valley across the region the text refers to as the wilderness. He eventually would have crossed the Jordan at the fords of Jericho and then proceeded north to Mahanaim.”
2Samuel 15:24 ¶ And lo Zadok also, and all the Levites were with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God: and they set down the ark of God; and Abiathar went up, until all the people had done passing out of the city.
2Samuel 15:25 And the king said unto Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city: if I shall find favour in the eyes of the LORD, he will bring me again, and shew me both it, and his habitation:
2Samuel 15:26 But if he thus say, I have no delight in thee; behold, here am I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him.
It seems that Abiathar, Zadok and the Levites that served with them at the tabernacle followed David’s entourage bearing the ark of the covenant of God. David told Zadok to take the ark of God back to Jerusalem. He reasoned that if he had found favor in the eyes of the LORD, He would restore him to his position. If, however, he no longer delighted in David, he was ready to yield to God’s will. The ark belonged to Israel; it was not David’s personal possession.
2Samuel 15:27 The king said also unto Zadok the priest, Art not thou a seer? return into the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz thy son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar.
2Samuel 15:28 See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until there come word from you to certify me.
2Samuel 15:29 Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem: and they tarried there.
David then asked Zadok to confirm that he was also a seer, a prophet, a man of great insight. He then asked the two priests to return to the city in peace along with their sons Ahimaaz and Jonathan. David would wait in the wilderness until he received a message informing him about what was happening. Zadok and Abiathar did as David asked.
2Samuel 15:30 And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.
As David went up the Mount of Olives, he wept; his head was covered and he walked barefoot to mark his grief. All the people traveling with him covered their heads and wept along with him.
2Samuel 15:31 ¶ And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.
One of the men traveling with him told David that Ahithophel was one of those conspiring with Absalom. David responded by asking the LORD to turn the counsel of Ahithophel to foolishness—in other words, make it unprofitable and frustrate the plans of his son.
2Samuel 15:32 And it came to pass, that when David was come to the top of the mount, where he worshipped God, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat rent, and earth upon his head:
2Samuel 15:33 Unto whom David said, If thou passest on with me, then thou shalt be a burden unto me:
2Samuel 15:34 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.
2Samuel 15:35 And hast thou not there with thee Zadok and Abiathar the priests? therefore it shall be, that what thing soever thou shalt hear out of the king’s house, thou shalt tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests.
2Samuel 15:36 Behold, they have there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz Zadok’s son, and Jonathan Abiathar’s son; and by them ye shall send unto me every thing that ye can hear.
2Samuel 15:37 So Hushai David’s friend came into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem.
Once David reached the top of the Mount of Olives, he worshipped God. Hushai the Archite came out to meet him with his coat rent and dirt on his head, showing his solidarity with David. David basically told Hushai that he could better serve him by returning to the city and declaring his allegiance to Absalom. That would position him to help David defeat the counsel of Ahithophel. He could inform Zadok and Abiathar the priests of all that he heard from the king’s house, and their sons could then serve as messengers to take the information to David. Hushai evidently realized how much his service in Jerusalem would profit David and returned to the city.
Absalom returned to the city about the same time that Hushai returned.
It should be noted that Psalm 3 is specifically identified as being a psalm of David composed at this time.
Psalms 3:0–8 “A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son.
LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me. Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah. But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah. I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about. Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly. Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.”
The tone of this psalm indicates that David was not afraid for himself. He was, however, feeling the pressure of his situation. He still trusted that the LORD would be his shield and protection, but he also recognized that such provision would be in His timing and according to His purposes. I think this is a lesson that David learned while on the run for so many years from Saul. He had learned the hard way that God’s ways and thoughts are often far different from our ways and thoughts. Sadly it is this very truth that poses the greatest threat to the faith of God’s people. It’s hard to see through pain and/or sorrow to understand that such pain and/or sorrow is meant for the greater good and God’s glory.
2Samuel 16:1 ¶ And when David was a little past the top of the hill, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple of asses saddled, and upon them two hundred loaves of bread, and an hundred bunches of raisins, and an hundred of summer fruits, and a bottle of wine.
2Samuel 16:2 And the king said unto Ziba, What meanest thou by these? And Ziba said, The asses be for the king’s household to ride on; and the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat; and the wine, that such as be faint in the wilderness may drink.
2Samuel 16:3 And the king said, And where is thy master’s son? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he abideth at Jerusalem: for he said, To day shall the house of Israel restore me the kingdom of my father.
2Samuel 16:4 Then said the king to Ziba, Behold, thine are all that pertained unto Mephibosheth. And Ziba said, I humbly beseech thee that I may find grace in thy sight, my lord, O king.
The narrative continues as David and his entourage cross the top of the Mount of Olives and begin their descent on the other side on their way to the wilderness. At this point Ziba, the servant of Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s son, met David. Ziba was actually Saul’s servant that now served Saul’s grandson. He had brought with him a couple of asses that were saddled and were carrying 200 loaves of bread, 100 bunches of raisins, 100 summer fruits and a bottle of wine. JFB notes that this “bottle” of wine was “a large goatskin vessel. Its size made the supply of wine proportioned to the rest of his present.”
King David asked Ziba why he had come. Ziba told him that the asses were for the king’s family to ride on, the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat, and the wine to revive those that became faint on the journey to the wilderness.
David then asked him where Mephibosheth was. Ziba told him that he had stayed in Jerusalem thinking that the people of Israel might choose to make him their king. David’s response to this news was to give him all that now belonged to Mephibosheth, and Ziba gratefully expressed his desire to always be in David’s favor.
We will find out in chapter 19 that Ziba was not a trustworthy servant; as with most, he is watching out for self.
I liked Clarke’s observation: “This conduct of David was very rash; he spoiled an honorable man to reward a villain, not giving himself time to look into the circumstances of the case. But David was in heavy afflictions, and these sometimes make even a wise man mad. Nothing should be done rashly; he who is in the habit of obeying the first impulse of his passions or feelings, will seldom do a right action, and never keep a clear conscience.”
I am reminded of a quote heard in more recent times about not wasting a good crisis. Ziba was no different than the politicians of our day; he was ready to use this crisis in David’s life to his own benefit. At least he wasn’t the one creating the crisis in the first place. I believe that there are those in high places of government today that do just that.
Wiersbe: “‘He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him.’ (Proverbs 18:13). God’s leaders must constantly be on guard lest they make unwise decisions on the basis of incomplete information.”
2Samuel 16:5 ¶ And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, thence came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera: he came forth, and cursed still as he came.
2Samuel 16:6 And he cast stones at David, and at all the servants of king David: and all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left.
2Samuel 16:7 And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Come out, come out, thou bloody man, and thou man of Belial:
2Samuel 16:8 The LORD hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned; and the LORD hath delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son: and, behold, thou art taken in thy mischief, because thou art a bloody man.
Along the way David and his entourage came to Bahurim, a town on the north side of the road leading from Jerusalem to Jericho according to Eerdmans Dictionary. It seems that Shimei, son of Gera, of the house of Saul lived in that area and came out to curse David and throw stones at him and his servants. He was pretty brazen to do so in light of the mighty men surrounding David.
Shimei cursed David as a man with much blood on his hands and a wicked, ungodly man. He declared that it was the LORD’s judgment to take the kingdom from David and give it to his son since he had taken the kingdom from Saul’s family. He basically said that David was reaping what he had sowed.
It seems that there were still some of the tribe of Benjamin that resented the fact that the LORD had given the kingdom to David.
I liked David Guzik’s observation regarding Shimei’s reasoning: “A quick look at the outward appearance of things seemed to confirm Shimei's analysis, but Shimei was wrong. None of this came upon David because of what he did to Saul or Saul's family.
Shimei was wrong because David actually treated Saul and his family with great love and graciousness.
Shimei was wrong because David was not a bloodthirsty man. It is true that he was a man of war, but not a bloodthirsty man.
Shimei was wrong because David did not bring Saul and his family to ruin - Saul himself brought the family to ruin.”
2Samuel 16:9 Then said Abishai the son of Zeruiah unto the king, Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? let me go over, I pray thee, and take off his head.
2Samuel 16:10 And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the LORD hath said unto him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so?
2Samuel 16:11 And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son, which came forth of my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more now may this Benjamite do it? let him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD hath bidden him.
2Samuel 16:12 It may be that the LORD will look on mine affliction, and that the LORD will requite me good for his cursing this day.
Abishai, son of Zeruiah, David’s nephew, asked David’s permission to kill Shimei for showing the king such disrespect. Abishai and his brother Joab were always ready to act rashly and were hard for David to control. David explained that if it was the LORD that had put it into Shimei’s heart to curse David, they had no right to act against him. He went on to explain that Absalom, his own son, desired to kill him; so why marvel that this man cursed him. David still held out hope that he would find favor with God.
I liked the ESV translation of verse 12: “It may be that the LORD will look on the wrong done to me, and that the LORD will repay me with good for his cursing today.”
I think David’s response was tempered by the shame and memory of his past sins before the LORD, especially concerning Uriah and Bathsheba.
Again I liked the observation made by Clarke: “Often the Scripture attributes to God what he only permits to be done; or what in the course of his providence he does not hinder. David, however, considers all this as being permitted of God for his chastisement and humiliation.”
2Samuel 16:13 And as David and his men went by the way, Shimei went along on the hill’s side over against him, and cursed as he went, and threw stones at him, and cast dust.
Since he had incurred no reaction from David’s men, Shimei was emboldened to follow the entourage for a while and continue his tirade against David as they passed by his home.
2Samuel 16:14 And the king, and all the people that were with him, came weary, and refreshed themselves there.
“There” seems to be referencing the town of Bahurim. It is noted that the king and his entourage refreshed themselves there before continuing their journey.
2Samuel 16:15 ¶ And Absalom, and all the people the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him.
2Samuel 16:16 And it came to pass, when Hushai the Archite, David’s friend, was come unto Absalom, that Hushai said unto Absalom, God save the king, God save the king.
2Samuel 16:17 And Absalom said to Hushai, Is this thy kindness to thy friend? why wentest thou not with thy friend?
2Samuel 16:18 And Hushai said unto Absalom, Nay; but whom the LORD, and this people, and all the men of Israel, choose, his will I be, and with him will I abide.
2Samuel 16:19 And again, whom should I serve? should I not serve in the presence of his son? as I have served in thy father’s presence, so will I be in thy presence.
Meanwhile, Absalom and the men of Israel following him came to Jerusalem accompanied by the traitorous Ahithophel. Hushai the Archite, David’s friend, greeted Absalom with a statement implying his loyalty—“God save the king.” Notice that Hushai’s statement was to save “the king,” not Absalom.
Absalom was a bit suspicious and asked why Hushai had not gone with “his friend.” Hushai responded by declaring his allegiance to the one whom the LORD, the people and the men of Israel chose as king. As David had instructed him, he assured Absalom that he would serve him as faithfully as he had served his father.
2Samuel 16:20 Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, Give counsel among you what we shall do.
2Samuel 16:21 And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Go in unto thy father’s concubines, which he hath left to keep the house; and all Israel shall hear that thou art abhorred of thy father: then shall the hands of all that are with thee be strong.
2Samuel 16:22 So they spread Absalom a tent upon the top of the house; and Absalom went in unto his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.
Absalom must have decided to believe Hushai and turned to Ahithophel for advice as to what to do next. Ahithophel told him to publicly take his father’s concubines as his own. This would provide strong testimony to the people that Absalom had completely broken fellowship with his father and would serve to strengthen his position as king.
According to Ahithophel’s advice, a tent was erected on the roof of the palace. The people could then witness the fact that Absalom had taken his father’s concubines as his own.
I liked two of Guzik’s comments on this section:
“This shows the power of bitterness. Ahithophel was willing to see these women abused, Absalom grievously sin, and the kingdom of Israel suffer greatly - all simply to satisfy his bitter longing for revenge.
This disgraceful incident also shows that God kept His promise to David: I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of the sun. For you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel, before the sun (2 Samuel 12:11-12).”
2Samuel 16:23 And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was as if a man had enquired at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.
The counsel of Ahithophel was so respected that it was as if God had told him what to say. This was true of his service with both David and Absalom. We know, however, that though God allowed it and even used it as a consequence of David’s sin; He would never have given such counsel through Ahithophel. Adultery was and is not acceptable in the eyes of the LORD. Though God often uses evil men to accomplish His judgment, He still holds them accountable for the sin in their hearts that prompts such actions. He never causes a person to go against his own will.
It is one of the most amazing truths about our God that He knows all before it ever comes to pass and works His will accordingly.
Isaiah 46:9–10 “Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:”
Isaiah 48:1–7 “Hear ye this, O house of Jacob, which are called by the name of Israel, and are come forth out of the waters of Judah, which swear by the name of the LORD, and make mention of the God of Israel, but not in truth, nor in righteousness. For they call themselves of the holy city, and stay themselves upon the God of Israel; The LORD of hosts is his name. I have declared the former things from the beginning; and they went forth out of my mouth, and I shewed them; I did them suddenly, and they came to pass. Because I knew that thou art obstinate, and thy neck is an iron sinew, and thy brow brass; I have even from the beginning declared it to thee; before it came to pass I shewed it thee: lest thou shouldest say, Mine idol hath done them, and my graven image, and my molten image, hath commanded them. Thou hast heard, see all this; and will not ye declare it? I have shewed thee new things from this time, even hidden things, and thou didst not know them. They are created now, and not from the beginning; even before the day when thou heardest them not; lest thou shouldest say, Behold, I knew them.”