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2 Samuel 15 · a question people ask

"At the end of forty years": forty years from what?

In the text

The verse begins, "At the end of forty years" (15:7), and the Hebrew number is arba'im, forty. The verse doesn't say what the years are counted from, and the chapter doesn't either. The years the book has counted for Absalom so far are shorter: the sheep shearing where Amnon was killed (13:28-29) came "After two full years" (13:23); "Absalom fled and went to Geshur, and was there three years" (13:38); and "Absalom lived two full years in Jerusalem, and he didn’t see the king’s face" (14:28). The book also says of David, "he reigned forty years" (5:4). The Bible doesn't explain how 15:7's forty years are counted, and these notes don't try to.

The verses

“At the end of forty years, Absalom said to the king, “Please let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed to the LORD, in Hebron.”
2 Samuel 15:7 · World English Bible
“After two full years, Absalom had sheep shearers in Baal Hazor, which is beside Ephraim; and Absalom invited all the king’s sons.”
2 Samuel 13:23 · World English Bible
“Absalom commanded his servants, saying, “Mark now, when Amnon’s heart is merry with wine; and when I tell you, ‘Strike Amnon,’ then kill him. Don’t be afraid. Haven’t I commanded you? Be courageous, and be valiant!” The servants of Absalom did to Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king’s sons arose, and every man got up on his mule and fled.”
2 Samuel 13:28-29 · World English Bible
“So Absalom fled and went to Geshur, and was there three years.”
2 Samuel 13:38 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of 2 Samuel 15

2 Samuel 15: The king goes up weeping

"Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel" (15:6) uses the Hebrew words Genesis uses when Jacob deceived Laban (Genesis 31:20), and when David prays against Ahithophel's counsel (15:31), the very next verse has Hushai walking up to meet him (15:32).

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Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions