2 Samuel 15:3
ESV
Absalom would say to him, "See, your claims are good and right, but there is no man designated by the king to hear you."
NIV
Then Absalom would say to him, "Look, your claims are valid and proper, but there is no representative of the king to hear you."
NASB
Then Absalom would say to him, 'See, your claims are good and right, but you have no one to listen to you on the part of the king.'
CSB
Absalom said to him, "Look, your claims are good and right, but the king does not have anyone to listen to you."
NLT
Then Absalom would say, 'You’ve really got a strong case here! It’s too bad the king doesn’t have anyone to hear it.
KJV
And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee.
NKJV
Then Absalom would say to him, “Look, your case is good and right; but there is no deputy of the king to hear you.”
What does 2 Samuel 15:3 mean?
David first won the hearts of the people when he was a teenager by killing Goliath and conquering any Philistine army that dared to come too near (1 Samuel 17:49–52; 18:7). He won over the elders of Judah by sending them gifts he'd taken in battle (1 Samuel 30:26–31) and deeply and sincerely mourning the deaths of Saul and Jonathan (2 Samuel 1:17–27). In return, the elders made him king of Judah (2 Samuel 1–4). David won the hearts of the rest of the Israelites by continuing to honor their leaders. When both Ishbosheth and Abner were murdered, David made it clear they were good men who didn't deserve their fate, and he had nothing to do with their deaths (2 Samuel 3:27–29, 33–34; 4:5–12). In return, Israel made him king of the northern tribes (2 Samuel 5:1–5).Absalom, David's son, has learned from his father's example that it's best to win hearts before you take the crown. His strategy is to steal the people's loyalty. Part of this is intercepting those bringing disputes to the king. Like a devious politician, he shakes their hands, pretends to care about their problems, and misrepresents his opponent.
When travelers arrive at the Jerusalem gates with complaints they hope David will settle, Absalom intercepts them (2 Samuel 15:2). He tells them their claim is good and right. He makes them feel heard. He insists they would probably win their case if anyone were available to hear their argument on behalf of the king. This implies that David has failed to provide this important service for his people. When the traveler tries to honor Absalom, the prince turns the tables and takes the role of a lower-ranked man (2 Samuel 15:4–5).
Scripture says that "David administered justice and equity to all his people" (2 Samuel 8:15). Although this statement characterizes the beginning of David's reign, it's reasonable to believe that, years later, his judicial system wasn't as bad as Absalom described. Either way, the people grow to see David as uncaring and out of touch with his people. Absalom becomes a popular choice for a king.
