O that they would make me judge over the land, that all that have business might come to me, that I might do them justice.

And Absalom said, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man who has any controversy and cause might come to me, and I would do him justice!

And Absalom saith, 'Who doth make me a judge in the land, that unto me doth come every man who hath a plea and judgment?, then I have declared him righteous.'

And more than this, Absalom said, If only I was made judge in the land, so that every man who has any cause or question might come to me, and I would give a right decision for him!

Absalom said moreover: 'Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man who hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice! '

"Who may appoint me judge over the land, so that all those who have a dispute might come to me, and I might judge justly."

Absalom said moreover, (c) Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice!
(c) Thus by slander, flattery and fair promises, the wicked seek preference.

Absalom said, moreover,.... To the same persons, at the same time:
oh that I were made judge in the land; by which it appears that he had no office under the king; partly either because of his crime, and so not thought fit, and partly because he appeared to be an ambitious aspiring man, and so it was thought not safe to put him into any office:
that every man that hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice; at once, without any further trouble, or coming often, and in vain, and to no purpose.

Absalom also said, "Oh that I might be judge in the land, and every one who had a cause might come before me; I would procure him justice!" ישׂמני מי is a wish: "who might (i.e., oh that one might) appoint me judge," an analogous expression to יתּן ot מי (vid., Gesenius, 136, 1, and Ewald, 329, c.). עלי placed before יבא for the sake of emphasis, may be explained from the fact that a judge sat, so that the person who stood before him rose above him (comp. Exodus 18:13 with Genesis 18:8). הצדּיק, to speak justly, or help to justice.