2 Samuel 17:2

2 I'll catch him while he is tired and weak, and I'll frighten him so all his people will run away. But I'll kill only King David.

2 Samuel 17:2 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 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 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.

2 Samuel 17:2 In-Context

1 Ahithophel said to Absalom, "Let me choose twelve thousand men and chase David tonight.

2 I'll catch him while he is tired and weak, and I'll frighten him so all his people will run away. But I'll kill only King David.

3 Then I'll bring everyone back to you. If the man you are looking for is dead, everyone else will return safely."

4 This plan seemed good to Absalom and to all the leaders of Israel.

5 But Absalom said, "Now call Hushai the Arkite, so I can hear what he says."