שמואל ב, פרק ט״ו, פסוק י׳

Before making his public move to Hebron, Absalom carefully laid the groundwork for a rebellion by planting secret agents throughout the land [מצודת דוד, אברבנאל, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. These covert messengers were instructed to remain in place and wait for a specific, prearranged signal to launch the new monarchy: the blast of a ram's horn.

Once the signal was heard, the agents had a crucial mission to fulfill, though perspectives differ on their exact purpose. One approach views their role primarily as an intelligence operation. Their task was to announce Absalom's kingship and carefully gauge the public's reaction, assessing the mood of the nation [מצודת דוד].

An alternative viewpoint suggests that these agents were not sent to gather information, but rather to manage public relations and maintain order. A sudden, unexpected blast of the horn across the land could easily spark panic among the people. Therefore, the agents were stationed to calm the crowds and reassure them that there was no reason to be afraid. To win over the public and prevent any armed resistance, they were instructed to emphasize a highly symbolic detail: Absalom was claiming the throne specifically in Hebron, the very same city where his father David had first established his own kingship [אברבנאל].