The narrator's summary observation that Absalom stole the hearts of the people of Israel represents the culmination of his systematic campaign and the successful transfer of the people's loyalty and affection from the king to his son. The metaphor of stealing suggests both the skill of Absalom's manipulation and the deceptive nature of his campaign, the way that he has deliberately seduced the people away from their proper loyalty to the king. The note that this happened over a period of time, that it was not an instantaneous transformation but the result of patient, consistent effort, emphasizes the methodological nature of Absalom's rebellion and his willingness to invest time and effort in building a power base. The verse marks the completion of Absalom's preparation for rebellion: he has successfully transferred the people's loyalty to himself and established a power base independent of his father's authority.

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

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