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
In the biblical narrative of 2 Samuel, King David is dealing with the aftermath of his son Absalom's rebellion, which stemmed from family conflicts and Absalom's ambition to take the throne. Absalom had won over the hearts of the people in Israel and was advancing on Jerusalem with an army, forcing David to make a hasty retreat to avoid a devastating battle. This event highlights the personal and political turmoil that often accompanied leadership in ancient Israel.
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