2 Samuel 17:24-27

Absalom’s Death

24 David went to Mahanaim, and Absalom crossed the Jordan with all the men of Israel.

25 Absalom had appointed Amasa over the army in place of Joab. Amasa was the son of Jether,^[a] an Ishmaelite^[b] who had married Abigail^[c] , the daughter of Nahash and sister of Zeruiah the mother of Joab.

26 The Israelites and Absalom camped in the land of Gilead.

27 When David came to Mahanaim, Shobi son of Nahash from Rabbah of the Ammonites, and Makir son of Ammiel from Lo Debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim

2 Samuel 17:24-27 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO SECOND SAMUEL 17

This chapter relates the advice Ahithophel gave to march out speedily with a number of men in pursuit of David, which at first seemed agreeable, 2Sa 17:1-4; but Hushai's opinion being asked, and he giving counsel to raise a larger army, which required time, and was taken to, hereby the counsel of Ahithophel was defeated, 2Sa 17:5-14; upon which he hanged himself, 2Sa 17:23; these different counsels being communicated by Hushai to the priests, they found means to transmit them to David, with an instruction to him to pass over Jordan immediately; which he did, and pitched in Gilead, and whither he was followed by Absalom, 2Sa 17:15-26; and where he met with a supply of provisions for his army from some eminent persons in and near that place, 2Sa 17:27-29.

Cross References

• 1. S Genesis 32:2; 2 Samuel 2:8
• 2. 2 Samuel 19:13; 2 Samuel 20:4,9-12; 1 Kings 2:5,32; 1 Chronicles 12:18
• 3. 1 Chronicles 2:13-17
• 4. S 1 Samuel 11:1
• 5. S Deuteronomy 3:11; 2 Samuel 10:1-2; 2 Samuel 12:26,29
• 6. 2 Samuel 9:4
• 7. 2 Samuel 19:31-39; 1 Kings 2:7
• 8. 2 Samuel 19:31; Ezra 2:61

Footnotes

• [a]. Hebrew "Ithra" , a variant of "Jether"
• [b]. Some Septuagint manuscripts (see also 1 Chron. 2:17); Hebrew and other Septuagint manuscripts "Israelite"
• [c]. Hebrew "Abigal" , a variant of "Abigail"