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.
David said to all his officials who were with him in Jerusalem, 'Get up, and let's run away! We won't be able to escape from Absalom any other way. Hurry up and leave, or he'll catch us suddenly, bring disaster on us, and destroy the city with the sword.'
David is urgently telling his followers they must flee Jerusalem immediately because his son Absalom is coming to overthrow him and will destroy the city if they don't escape quickly.
📚 Historical Context
This occurs during Absalom's rebellion against his father King David, when Absalom had gathered enough support to march on Jerusalem and claim the throne. David, rather than fight a civil war in the holy city, chose to flee to protect Jerusalem's inhabitants from the devastation of urban warfare.
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