2 Samuel 15:3-6

15:3 Absalom would then say to him, “Look, your claims are legitimate and appropriate. 1  But there is no representative of the king who will listen to you.” 15:4 Absalom would then say, “If only they would make me 2  a judge in the land! Then everyone who had a judicial complaint 3  could come to me and I would make sure he receives a just settlement.”

15:5 When someone approached to bow before him, Absalom 4  would extend his hand and embrace him and kiss him. 15:6 Absalom acted this way toward everyone in Israel who came to the king for justice. In this way Absalom won the loyalty 5  of the citizens 6  of Israel.

1 tn Heb “good and straight.”

2 tn Heb “Who will make me?”

3 tn Heb “a complaint and a judgment.” The expression is a hendiadys.

4 tn Heb “he”; the referent (Absalom) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

5 tn Heb “stole the heart.”

6 tn Heb “the men.”