2 Samuel 15:33

33 And David said unto him, If thou passest on with me, then thou wilt be a burden unto me:

2 Samuel 15:33 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 15:33

Unto whom David said
After he had heard what he had to say, and what tidings he brought:

and if thou passest on with me;
in his march and flight:

then thou shalt be a burden to me;
being to be maintained by him; and David having but scanty provisions, and so could not receive useless persons, as Hushai might be, perhaps an old man, that could be of no service to him, and unfit for travelling, and so would rather be an hinderance than an help unto him.

2 Samuel 15:33 In-Context

31 And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O Jehovah, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.
32 And it came to pass, that, when David was come to the top [of the ascent], where God was worshipped, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat rent, and earth upon his head.
33 And David said unto him, If thou passest on with me, then thou wilt be a burden unto me:
34 but if thou return to the city, and say unto Absalom, I will be thy servant, O king; as I have been thy father's servant in time past, so will I now be thy servant; then wilt thou defeat for me the counsel of Ahithophel.
35 And hast thou not there with thee Zadok and Abiathar the priests? therefore it shall be, that what thing soever thou shalt hear out of the king's house, thou shalt tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests.
The American Standard Version is in the public domain.