
Text -- 2 Samuel 17:1-11 (NET)




Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics



collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)
Wesley: 2Sa 17:2 - -- _That such a wretch as Absalom should aim at his father's throat is not strange. But that the body of the people, to whom David had been so great a bl...
_That such a wretch as Absalom should aim at his father's throat is not strange. But that the body of the people, to whom David had been so great a blessing, should join with him in it, is amazing. But the finger of God was in it. Let not the best of parents, or the best of princes think it strange, if they are injured by those who should be their support and joy, when they (like David) have provoked God to turn against them.

Wesley: 2Sa 17:5 - -- A wonderful effect of Divine Providence, influencing his heart, that he could not rest in Ahithophel's counsel, though it was so evidently wise, and a...
A wonderful effect of Divine Providence, influencing his heart, that he could not rest in Ahithophel's counsel, though it was so evidently wise, and approved by the general consent of his whole party; and that he should desire Hushai's advice, though neither his reputation for wisdom was equal to Ahithophel's, nor had he yet given anyone proof of his fidelity to Absalom. But there is no contending with that God who can arm a man against himself, and destroy him by his own mistakes and passions.

Wesley: 2Sa 17:9 - -- Having been often accustomed to that course, and well acquainted with in all hiding - places from Saul's time. In one of them, unknown to us, he will ...
Having been often accustomed to that course, and well acquainted with in all hiding - places from Saul's time. In one of them, unknown to us, he will lurk with some of his chosen men, and lie in ambush for us; and, when they see a fit opportunity, they will suddenly come forth and surprize some of our men, when they least expect it, and probably at first put them to flight.

Namely, of Absalom's men sent against David.

Wesley: 2Sa 17:9 - -- Implying, that their good success at first would mightily animate David's men to proceed vigorously in the fight, and intimidate Absalom's army, and c...
Implying, that their good success at first would mightily animate David's men to proceed vigorously in the fight, and intimidate Absalom's army, and consequently would be both a presage and an occasion of their total defeat.

Wesley: 2Sa 17:11 - -- His pretence was, that they might make sure, though slow work: his design was to gain David time, that he might increase his army, and make better pro...
His pretence was, that they might make sure, though slow work: his design was to gain David time, that he might increase his army, and make better provision for the battle; and that the present heat of the people might be cooled, and they might bethink themselves of their duty, and return to their allegiance.

Wesley: 2Sa 17:11 - -- For thy presence will put life and courage into thy soldiers, who will be ambitious to shew their skill and courage in defending thy person, when they...
For thy presence will put life and courage into thy soldiers, who will be ambitious to shew their skill and courage in defending thy person, when they know that all their actions are observed by him who hath the distribution of rewards and punishments in his hands. Besides, the glory of the victory will be wholly thine, which now Ahithophel seeks to get to himself.
Clarke: 2Sa 17:1 - -- Let me now choose out twelve thousand men - Had this counsel been followed, David and his little troop would soon have been destroyed; nothing but t...
Let me now choose out twelve thousand men - Had this counsel been followed, David and his little troop would soon have been destroyed; nothing but the miraculous interposition of God could have saved them. Twelve thousand chosen troops coming against him, in his totally unprepared state, would have soon settled the business of the kingdom. Ahithophel well saw that, this advice neglected, all was lost.

Clarke: 2Sa 17:3 - -- The man whom thou seekest is as if all returned - Only secure David, and all Israel will be on thy side. He is the soul of the whole; destroy him, a...
The man whom thou seekest is as if all returned - Only secure David, and all Israel will be on thy side. He is the soul of the whole; destroy him, and all the rest will submit.

Clarke: 2Sa 17:8 - -- As a bear robbed of her whelps - All wild beasts are very furious when robbed of their young; but we have some remarkable instances of the maternal ...
As a bear robbed of her whelps - All wild beasts are very furious when robbed of their young; but we have some remarkable instances of the maternal affection of the bear in such circumstances; see one at the end of the chapter.
TSK: 2Sa 17:1 - -- I will arise : Pro 1:16, Pro 4:16; Isa 59:7, Isa 59:8
this night : Psa 3:3-5, Psa 4:8, Psa 109:2-4

TSK: 2Sa 17:2 - -- weary : 2Sa 16:14; Deu 25:18
I will smite : 1Ki 22:31; Zec 13:7; Mat 21:38, Mat 26:31; Joh 11:50, Joh 18:4-8


TSK: 2Sa 17:4 - -- the saying : 1Sa 18:20, 1Sa 18:21, 1Sa 23:21; Est 5:14; Rom 1:32
pleased Absalom well : Heb. was right in the eyes of Absalom, 2Ch 30:4; Est 1:21

TSK: 2Sa 17:8 - -- mighty men : 2Sa 15:18, 2Sa 21:18-22, 2Sa 23:8, 2Sa 23:9, 2Sa 23:16, 2Sa 23:18, 2Sa 23:20-22; 1Sa 16:18, 1Sa 17:34-36, 1Sa 17:50; 1Chr. 11:25-47; Heb ...
mighty men : 2Sa 15:18, 2Sa 21:18-22, 2Sa 23:8, 2Sa 23:9, 2Sa 23:16, 2Sa 23:18, 2Sa 23:20-22; 1Sa 16:18, 1Sa 17:34-36, 1Sa 17:50; 1Chr. 11:25-47; Heb 11:32-34
chafed in their minds : Heb. bitter of soul, Jdg 18:25
as a bear : 2Ki 2:24; Pro 17:12, Pro 28:15; Dan 7:5; Hos 13:8
thy father is : 1Sa 23:23

TSK: 2Sa 17:9 - -- he is hid : Jdg 20:33; 1Sa 22:1, 1Sa 24:3
some : Jos 7:5, Jos 8:6; Jdg 20:32; 1Sa 14:14, 1Sa 14:15
over thrown : Heb. fallen

TSK: 2Sa 17:10 - -- heart : 2Sa 1:23, 2Sa 23:20; Gen 49:9; Num 24:8, Num 24:9; Pro 28:1
utterly melt : Exo 15:15; Deu 1:28; Jos 2:9-11; Isa 13:7, Isa 19:1
thy father : 1S...

TSK: 2Sa 17:11 - -- all Israel : 2Sa 24:2; Jdg 20:1
as the sand : Gen 13:16, Gen 22:17; Jos 11:4; 1Ki 4:20, 1Ki 20:10
thou go : Heb. they face, or presence
go : etc
in th...

collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)
Barnes: 2Sa 17:1 - -- This night - The night of the day on which David fled, and Absalom entered into Jerusalem. Ahithophel’ s idea was to fall upon David by su...
This night - The night of the day on which David fled, and Absalom entered into Jerusalem. Ahithophel’ s idea was to fall upon David by surprise, and in the first confusion of the surprised army to seize and kill David only.

Barnes: 2Sa 17:3 - -- The man whom thou seekest - namely, David. Ahithophel means to say: "If I can only smite David, there will be no civil war, all the people will...
The man whom thou seekest - namely, David. Ahithophel means to say: "If I can only smite David, there will be no civil war, all the people will peaceably submit."

Barnes: 2Sa 17:7 - -- At this time - Rather, "The counsel which Ahithophel has given this time is not good."He contrasts it with that given before 2Sa 16:21, which w...

Barnes: 2Sa 17:9 - -- Some pit, or in some other place - The Hebrew has "in one of the pits,"or "in one of the places."Hence, "place"must have some defined meaning. ...
Some pit, or in some other place - The Hebrew has "in one of the pits,"or "in one of the places."Hence, "place"must have some defined meaning. It probably is used here, as elsewhere, for a "dwelling-house"or "village,"which might in that district be fortified houses 2Sa 17:12; 1Sa 26:25.
Hushai’ s argument is that there was no chance of seizing David by surprise as Ahithophel suggested. There was sure to be sharp fighting, and the terror of the names of David, Joab, Abishai, Ittai, and their companions, would magnify the first few blows received into a victory, and Absalom’ s men would flee in panic. It is likely that Absalom was not a man of courage, and Hushai, knowing this, adroitly magnified the terror of the warlike prowess of David and his mighty men.
Poole: 2Sa 17:2 - -- Weary and weak-handed tired with a tedious march on foot, and destitute of men and military provisions; and disheartened by his own small numbers, an...
Weary and weak-handed tired with a tedious march on foot, and destitute of men and military provisions; and disheartened by his own small numbers, and by the general defection of his subjects.

Poole: 2Sa 17:3 - -- The man whom thou seekest is as if all returned i. e. the death of that man whom thou seekest to destroy is no less considerable to thee, than if all...
The man whom thou seekest is as if all returned i. e. the death of that man whom thou seekest to destroy is no less considerable to thee, than if all the people that follow him should desert him and return unto thee.

Poole: 2Sa 17:5 - -- A wonderful effect of Divine Providence, blinding his mind, and influencing his heart, that he could not rest in Ahithophel’ s counsel, though ...
A wonderful effect of Divine Providence, blinding his mind, and influencing his heart, that he could not rest in Ahithophel’ s counsel, though it was so evidently wise, and good, and approved by the general consent of his whole party; and that he should desire Hushai’ s advice, though neither his reputation for wisdom was equal to Ahithophel’ s, nor had he yet given any one proof of his fidelity to Absalom as Ahithophel had done; nor was he so fixed by his interest to him as Ahithophel was; and though there wanted not just cause to suspect him and his counsel too. But there is no contending with that God who can arm a man against himself, and destroy him by his own mistakes and passions, without any other help.

Poole: 2Sa 17:7 - -- Though at other times he generally gives most wise and admirable counsel; yet, as he is a man, he seems now to be under a mistake, and not sufficien...
Though at other times he generally gives most wise and admirable counsel; yet, as he is a man, he seems now to be under a mistake, and not sufficiently to consider all the present circumstances of this business.

Poole: 2Sa 17:8 - -- Mighty men of approved courage and strength, therefore not so soon vanquished as Ahithophel supposeth.
Chafed in their minds Heb. bitter of soul ,...
Mighty men of approved courage and strength, therefore not so soon vanquished as Ahithophel supposeth.
Chafed in their minds Heb. bitter of soul , inflamed with rage; desperate, and therefore resolved to sell their lives at a dear rate.
A man of war a wise prince and general; who knowing of what importance it is to secure his own person, and that your great design is against his life, will doubtless use extraordinary care to keep out of your reach, which he may easily do.

Poole: 2Sa 17:9 - -- He is hid now in some pit, or in some other place having been oft accustomed to that course, and well acquainted with all hidingplaces from Saul̵...
He is hid now in some pit, or in some other place having been oft accustomed to that course, and well acquainted with all hidingplaces from Saul’ s time. In one of them, unknown to us, he will lurk with some of his chosen men, and lie in ambush for us; and when they see a fit opportunity, they will suddenly come forth and surprise some of our men when they least expect it, and fall upon them with great fury, and probably will at first put them to flight.
Some of them to wit, of Absalom’ s men sent against David.
Overthrown at the first implying that their good success at first would mightily animate David’ s men to proceed vigorously in the fight, and intimidate Absalom’ s army, and consequently would be both a presage and an occasion of their total defeat.
Whosoever heareth it will say they who first hear these ill tidings will propagate it, and strike terror with it into the rest of the army.

Poole: 2Sa 17:10 - -- The known fame of the prodigious valour of David and his followers will easily gain credit to that report, and strike the stoutest of our men with d...
The known fame of the prodigious valour of David and his followers will easily gain credit to that report, and strike the stoutest of our men with dread, even Ahithophel himself, if he should go with them.

Poole: 2Sa 17:11 - -- His pretence was, that they might have a far greater army, and make sure though slow work; his design was to gain David more time, that he might inc...
His pretence was, that they might have a far greater army, and make sure though slow work; his design was to gain David more time, that he might increase his army, and make better provisions for the battle; and that the present heat of the people might be cooled, and they might at last bethink themselves of their duty to David, and return to their former allegiance.
That thou go to battle in thine own person for thy presence will put more life and courage into all thy soldiers, who will be ambitious to show their utmost skill and courage in defending thy person and cause, when they know that all their actions are observed by him who hath the distribution of rewards and punishments in his hands. So mayst thou also give counsel as occasion offers, and encourage thy men to kill David, which otherwise they may possibly be afraid to do. Besides, the glory of the victory will be wholly thine, which now Ahithophel seeks to get to himself.
Haydock: 2Sa 17:1 - -- Order, making his will. (Menochius) ---
Hanged himself. Some Rabbins pretend that he died of quinsey, or suffocated with grief. But it is almost...
Order, making his will. (Menochius) ---
Hanged himself. Some Rabbins pretend that he died of quinsey, or suffocated with grief. But it is almost universally believed that he set a pattern to Judas, the traitor, in this mode of dying, as well as in perfidy. He was aware that Absalom was undone, and vexed that his counsel had been disregarded. The most prudent of this world are often blinded to their own welfare. The Jews had not yet begun to refuse the rites of sepulture to suicides. (Calmet)

Haydock: 2Sa 17:1 - -- This night. Achitophel has a mind to shew that he is not only an able statesman, but a good general. (Haydock) ---
On such occasions, expedition i...
This night. Achitophel has a mind to shew that he is not only an able statesman, but a good general. (Haydock) ---
On such occasions, expedition is of the utmost consequence, that the people may not have time to enter into themselves, or to concentrate about their lawful king. "Nothing is more delightful than haste in civil discord, where action is more requisite than consultation." By delays, "he would give the wicked an opportunity to repent, and the good would unite together. Crimes are confirmed by rushing on; good counsels by deliberation." Scelera impetu; bona consilia mora valescere. (Tacitus, Hist. i.)

Haydock: 2Sa 17:2 - -- Handed. He has not had time to collect forces. ---
Alone. Hebrew also, "the king also;" so that the people will be saved by flight. (Haydock)
Handed. He has not had time to collect forces. ---
Alone. Hebrew also, "the king also;" so that the people will be saved by flight. (Haydock)

Haydock: 2Sa 17:3 - -- One man. They will return with such unanimity, when their leader is cut off. (Menochius) ---
David was the one man whom his son desired to kill,...
One man. They will return with such unanimity, when their leader is cut off. (Menochius) ---
David was the one man whom his son desired to kill, as the latter was the only one whom David ordered to be spared, chap. xviii. 5. (Haydock) ---
Hebrew seems rather transposed: "I will bring back all the people to thee, as all the people, whom thou seekest, are returned; and all the people shall be in peace:" or, ... "when all those, whom thou desirest, shall be returned, &c. (Calmet) ---
Septuagint, "as a bride returns to her husband; only the soul of one thou seekest, and peace shall be to all the people." (Haydock)

Haydock: 2Sa 17:7 - -- This time, though he displays such prudence on all other occasions; or, "at this time" the situation of affairs is such, that it may prove dangerous ...
This time, though he displays such prudence on all other occasions; or, "at this time" the situation of affairs is such, that it may prove dangerous to push people, who are already desperate, to extremities. Here we behold, how different sentiments may appear equally plausible. (Haydock) ---
Mind, reduced to despair. The maxim is beautiful, as well as the comparison. See Osee xiii. 7., Proverbs xvii. 12., and Lamentations iii. 10. ---
People. Hebrew adds, "in the night;" or, "he will not suffer the people to pass the night" in repose. (Calmet) ---
He will not entrust his person to a faithless multitude, but will be surrounded with a chosen band, with whom he may escape, even though the rest should flee. (Haydock) ---
Achitophel had represented David abandoned by his men. (Menochius)

Haydock: 2Sa 17:9 - -- First. Hebrew, "If they attack them at first." (Calmet) ---
Report will easily represent the engagement as unfavourable to Absalom; and this will ...
First. Hebrew, "If they attack them at first." (Calmet) ---
Report will easily represent the engagement as unfavourable to Absalom; and this will be readily believed, as all are convinced of David's valour. (Haydock) ---
Nothing ought to be risked in such beginnings. (Calmet)

Haydock: 2Sa 17:10 - -- Man. Hebrew, "the son of valour himself." Achitophel, or any other. (Menochius)
Man. Hebrew, "the son of valour himself." Achitophel, or any other. (Menochius)

Haydock: 2Sa 17:11 - -- Of them, their general. Hebrew, "and thy face shall go to battle," Exodus xxiii. 14.
Of them, their general. Hebrew, "and thy face shall go to battle," Exodus xxiii. 14.
Gill: 2Sa 17:1 - -- Moreover, Ahithophel said unto Absalom,.... Either at the same time, or quickly after he had given the foregoing advice:
let me now choose out twel...
Moreover, Ahithophel said unto Absalom,.... Either at the same time, or quickly after he had given the foregoing advice:
let me now choose out twelve thousand men: out of those that were with Absalom, which shows their number to be large; and twelve thousand are pitched upon with respect to the twelve tribes of Israel, a thousand from every tribe; Josephus has only ten thousand:
and I will arise and pursue after David this night; he took upon him to be general of the army, as well as a counsellor; or this he said to show how confident he was of the success of his counsel, that if Absalom, or any other, should decline the conduct of the army upon it, as a hazardous attempt, he would undertake it himself; or rather it may be, he was not willing that Absalom should go out in person with the army, not so much for his own safety, as lest through his affection for the king he should spare him, when he fell into his hands, or they two should be reconciled; he proposed to do it that night, partly for expedition, no time being to be lost, and partly for the greater surprise of David and his men.

Gill: 2Sa 17:2 - -- And I will come upon him while he is weary,.... With travelling, and with grief, and when endeavouring to get some rest by sleep, and so surprise him...
And I will come upon him while he is weary,.... With travelling, and with grief, and when endeavouring to get some rest by sleep, and so surprise him unawares, when not on his guard, and in no posture of defence:
and weak handed; while the number of men with him is small, and before the people from different parts can come to his assistance:
and will make him afraid; strike terror into him and his then, by surprising them suddenly in the night with such a number of men:
and all the people that are with him shall flee; one one way, and another another, for their own security, and leave David alone:
and I will smite the king only; dispatch him, and let the people flee without pursuing them.

Gill: 2Sa 17:3 - -- And I will bring back all the people unto thee,.... Meaning not the people only that were with David, that he would make them prisoners, and bring the...
And I will bring back all the people unto thee,.... Meaning not the people only that were with David, that he would make them prisoners, and bring them with him; for he before proposed to let them make their escape; but to reduce all Israel to the obedience of Absalom at once, by executing this scheme which he had formed:
the man whom thou seekest is as if all returned; meaning David, whom he speaks of contemptibly, and whose life it seems Absalom sought, as well as his crown; and he being dead, it would be all over at once with the people; they would immediately return to their own habitations, and yield obedience to Absalom as the rightful heir and successor; all depended on his death, he intimates: from whence it appears that Abarbinel is wrong in suggesting that Absalom did not design to take away the life of his father, only to secure the kingdom to himself in his father's lifetime, who he understood had disposed of it by his will to Solomon; but here Ahithophel plainly declares the intention of Absalom, nor would he have proposed in plain terms to take away the king's life, had Absalom been averse to it; and it is plain by what follows that the thing was pleasing to him:
so all the people shall be in peace; both parties coalesce under the government of Absalom, and live peaceably under it, and so an entire end of the war.

Gill: 2Sa 17:4 - -- And the saying pleased Absalom well, and all elders of Israel. That were of the privy council; for it was a well contrived scheme to surprise David hi...
And the saying pleased Absalom well, and all elders of Israel. That were of the privy council; for it was a well contrived scheme to surprise David his men by night, in the condition they were in; nothing like seizing an opportunity, and making quick dispatch in executing a villainous design; only it is strange that Absalom could so easily come into a scheme to take away the life of so indulgent a father, which is only to be accounted for by his ambition; but it is stranger still that the elders of Israel should be pleased with it, and agree to and determine upon the death of a prince, who had so many years ruled them with justice and equity, clemency and mercy; and fought their battles for them, and raised their nation to such a pitch of glory it never had before.

Gill: 2Sa 17:5 - -- Then said Absalom, call now Hushai the Archite also,.... For it seems he was not at the council board at this time; whether he was as yet admitted to ...
Then said Absalom, call now Hushai the Archite also,.... For it seems he was not at the council board at this time; whether he was as yet admitted to it is not certain: there is something very remarkable in the providence of God, to incline Absalom to have the opinion of Hushai upon this point, when the counsel of Ahithophel was so universally approved of; and Hushai also being well known to have been an intimate friend and confident of David's, and not so settled and established in the interest of Absalom, and such a sworn friend of his as Ahithophel was; this can only be ascribed to the will of God, to defeat the counsel of Ahithophel, and the wisdom of divine Providence in blinding the mind of Absalom with respect to his counsel, and inclining it to take the opinion of Hushai:
and let us hear likewise what he saith; which he might say without any diffidence about the "counsel" given, but knowing that in the multitude of counsellors there is safety; and Hushai being a wise and good counsellor, he might hope and expect that he would give the same advice, and so strengthen and confirm it.

Gill: 2Sa 17:6 - -- And when Hushai was come to Absalom,.... Into the council chamber, very probably:
Absalom spake unto him, saying, Ahithophel hath spoken after this...
And when Hushai was come to Absalom,.... Into the council chamber, very probably:
Absalom spake unto him, saying, Ahithophel hath spoken after this manner; and then related the counsel he had given as before:
shall we do after his saying? is it right to proceed on this scheme, and carry it into execution?
if not, speak thou; thy mind freely, without any reserve, or fear of giving any offence.

Gill: 2Sa 17:7 - -- And Hushai said to Absalom,.... Having leave to give his opinion freely:
the counsel that Ahithophel hath given is not good at this time; he owns ...
And Hushai said to Absalom,.... Having leave to give his opinion freely:
the counsel that Ahithophel hath given is not good at this time; he owns that Ahithophel was a good counsellor, and that the counsel he gave was for the most part, if not always, good, but what he gave at this time was not so; the wisest of men may sometimes be mistaken. Abarbinel thinks he respects his former counsel, particularly that that was good, advising him to defile his father's bed, 2Sa 16:21; but this was not, for which he gives the following reasons.

Gill: 2Sa 17:8 - -- For (said Hushai) thou knowest thy father and his men, that they be mighty men,.... Men of courage and valour, and not such weak-handed and weak-hear...
For (said Hushai) thou knowest thy father and his men, that they be mighty men,.... Men of courage and valour, and not such weak-handed and weak-hearted men, and so easily intimidated, as Ahithophel suggests:
and they be chafed in their minds; or "bitter in soul" f; not merely filled with trouble and anguish, and depressed in their spirits, on account of that, as the phrase sometimes signifies; but enraged and full of wrath at the rebellion raised against their prince, which obliged them with him to leave their habitations; and now being desperate, their all lying at stake, their wives and children, their families and estates, they would fight furiously in the defence of the king and themselves, and not so soon flee as Ahithophel had represented:
as a bear robbed of her whelps in the field; a bear is a very furious creature, especially a she bear, and the more when it has whelps, and more so when deprived of them g, when it ranges about in the field, and in its fury attacks whomsoever it meets with; See Gill on Hos 13:8,
and thy father is a man of war; not only bold and courageous, but expert and skilful in all the arts of war and not easy to be surprised and circumvented, as Ahithophel intimated:
and will not lodge with the people; in the camp, but at some distance from it; partly to prevent any traitorous design upon him in it, and partly that he might not be surprised by the enemy, knowing that their chief view was to seize his person; and therefore as it would not be easy to find him where he was, he could not be smitten alone, as Ahithophel proposed.

Gill: 2Sa 17:9 - -- Behold, he is hid now in some pit, or in some other place,.... Some lurking place, as he was acquainted with many when he fled from Saul, and where h...
Behold, he is hid now in some pit, or in some other place,.... Some lurking place, as he was acquainted with many when he fled from Saul, and where he preserved himself from him; so that he could never take him, as he would now from Absalom, as he insinuates: but this is not all; not only by this means he would shelter himself, and be in safety; but lying thus concealed with others, and in ambush, there would be danger of his staring out of his hiding place when opportunity should offer, and falling on some of Absalom's troops unawares:
and it will come to pass, when some of them be overthrown at the first; that is, some of Absalom's party, on whom David and his men coming out of an ambush should fall, and make a slaughter among them first, before they could do anything of consequence; and so having got the first advantage, it would serve to animate them, and dishearten their enemies:
that whosoever heareth it; at that time, or the next day:
will say, there is a slaughter among the people that follow Absalom; there has been a defeat of them, and that may cause a defection.

Gill: 2Sa 17:10 - -- And he also that is valiant, whose heart is as the heart of a lion, shall utterly melt,.... That is, whoever should hear of Absalom's forces, or a pa...
And he also that is valiant, whose heart is as the heart of a lion, shall utterly melt,.... That is, whoever should hear of Absalom's forces, or a part of them, being routed, would be intimidated, though ever so courageous, or of such a lion-like temper and disposition; and even Ahithophel himself, notwithstanding all his boasted courage, his heart would fail, he would melt like water h, Jos 7:5; should he meet with such a rebuff at first setting out. A lion is well known for its courage as well as strength, and has not only a fierce countenance, hence we read of lion-like men in their faces, 2Sa 23:20; but has a courageous heart, and from thence it is thought to have its name Labi, from "leb", which signifies the heart; so Hercules is represented by the poet as having a lion's heart i, and others also; though Leo Africanus k relates of some lions in Africa that are so naturally fearful that they will flee at the cry of children, particularly at a place called Agla; hence it became a proverb with the inhabitants of Fez to call blustering cowards the lions of Agla; and he speaks of great numbers of lions elsewhere l, who are easily driven away with a small stick by the most timorous persons; but for the most part lions are very bold and daring, as well as strong, to which the allusion is here. Some apply this to David himself, who was a valiant man, and whose heart was like that of a lion, and so read the last clause with an interrogation: "shall he utterly melt?" no, he will not; he is not to be made afraid so easily as Ahithophel has intimated:
for all Israel knoweth that thy father is a mighty man, and they which be with him are valiant men: this is so universally known that it cannot be denied.

Gill: 2Sa 17:11 - -- Therefore I counsel,.... My advice is as follows:
that all Israel be generally gathered unto thee, from Dan even to Beersheba, as the sand that is...
Therefore I counsel,.... My advice is as follows:
that all Israel be generally gathered unto thee, from Dan even to Beersheba, as the sand that is by the sea for multitude: not all the inhabitants of the land, but such as are fit to bear arms, or that were soldiers, employed in military affairs, in keeping garrisons, guarding the coasts, &c. even the militia of the nation, from the extreme boundary of it on the north to the extreme boundary of it on the south; in such a direction lay Dan and Beersheba. This is opposed to the counsel of Ahithophel, which was only to select twelve thousand men, and send them against David at once; and this is designed chiefly to gain time, since such a collection could not be made soon, and so David would have more time to get farther off, and to prepare the better for his defence; and this advice might be the more agreeable to Absalom, as it promised a greater certainty of success through numbers, and might feed the vanity and ambition of that prince to have such a large army under him, as well as suggested that all Israel were on his side, and at his command, and might easily be gathered to him:
and that thou go to battle in thine own person; this was another part of his advice opposed to the counsel of Ahithophel, who proposed to have the command of the twelve thousand men himself, and to leave Absalom at Jerusalem; now Hushai suggests that it would be more to his interest and his honour to take command of the army himself, and go in person into the field of battle; since this would serve to animate his soldiers, when they saw their prince at the head of them, and he would have the glory of the victory, which he might insinuate hereby Ahithophel sought to deprive him of: it is in the Hebrew text, that "thy face" or "faces go to battle" m, where he might be seen in person, and have the oversight and direction of things himself; the Targum is,"and thou shalt go at the head of us all;''and this advice Hushai was directed to give, and which was taken, that Absalom might fall in battle.

expand allCommentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes





NET Notes: 2Sa 17:8 The LXX (with the exception of the recensions of Origen and Lucian) repeats the description as follows: “Just as a female bear bereft of cubs in...

NET Notes: 2Sa 17:9 Heb “that he falls on them [i.e., Absalom’s troops] at the first [encounter]; or “that some of them [i.e., Absalom’s troops] f...
Geneva Bible: 2Sa 17:1 Moreover Ahithophel said unto Absalom, ( a ) Let me now choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night:
( a ) The...

Geneva Bible: 2Sa 17:3 And I will bring back all the people unto thee: ( b ) the man whom thou seekest [is] as if all returned: [so] all the people shall be in peace.
( b )...

Geneva Bible: 2Sa 17:7 And Hushai said unto Absalom, The counsel that Ahithophel hath given [is] not ( c ) good at this time.
( c ) Hushai shows himself faithful to David, ...

expand allCommentary -- Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis -> 2Sa 17:1-29
TSK Synopsis: 2Sa 17:1-29 - --1 Ahithophel's counsel is overthrown by Hushai's, according to God's appointment.15 Secret intelligence is sent unto David.23 Ahithophel hangs himself...
MHCC -> 2Sa 17:1-21
MHCC: 2Sa 17:1-21 - --Here was a wonderful effect of Divine Providence blinding Absalom's mind and influencing his heart, that he could not rest in Ahithophel's counsel, an...
Matthew Henry -> 2Sa 17:1-14
Matthew Henry: 2Sa 17:1-14 - -- Absalom is now in peaceable possession of Jerusalem; the palace-royal is his own, as are the thrones of judgment, even the thrones of the house of ...
Keil-Delitzsch: 2Sa 17:1-3 - --
Ahithophel's advice frustrated by Hushai. - 2Sa 17:1-3. Ahithophel said still further to Absalom, "I will choose out twelve thousand men, and arise...

Keil-Delitzsch: 2Sa 17:4-5 - --
Although this advice pleased Absalom and all the elders of Israel (present), Absalom sent for Hushai the Archite to hear his opinion. גּ×־הוּ×...

Keil-Delitzsch: 2Sa 17:6-9 - --
In answer to Absalom's inquiry, "Shall we do his word (i.e., follow Ahithophel's advice) or not?"Hushai said, "The advice is not good that Ahithophe...

Keil-Delitzsch: 2Sa 17:10 - --
"And even if he (the hearer, 2Sa 17:9) be a brave man, who has a lion's heart (lion-like courage), he will be thrown into despair; for all Israel kn...

Keil-Delitzsch: 2Sa 17:11 - --
"Yea ( כּי , profecto ), I advise: let all Israel be gathered round thee from Dan to Beersheba (see at Jdg 20:1), numerous as the sand by the se...
Constable: 2Sa 9:1--20:26 - --VI. DAVID'S TROUBLES chs. 9--20
Chapters 9-20 contrast with chapters 2-8 in that this later section is negative ...

Constable: 2Sa 13:1--20:26 - --C. David's Rejection and Return chs. 13-20
This is the longest literary section in the Court History of ...

Constable: 2Sa 15:1--20:26 - --2. Absalom's attempt to usurp David's throne chs. 15-20
Absalom was never Yahweh's choice to suc...
