2 Samuel 17:2

2 I'll attack him while he's tired and weak, and I'll cause him to panic. All the people with him will flee, but I'll kill only him.

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 12,000 men and leave tonight to go after David.

2 I'll attack him while he's tired and weak, and I'll cause him to panic. All the people with him will flee, but I'll kill only him.

3 I'll return all the people to you as a bride is returned to her husband. Since you will be seeking the life of only one man, all the people will have peace."

4 Absalom and all the leaders of Israel approved this plan.

5 Absalom said, "Please call Hushai, who is descended from Archi's family, and let us hear what he, too, has to say."