2 Samuel 17:1-10

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."

6 When Hushai came to Absalom, Absalom said to him, "This is the plan Ahithophel gave. Should we follow it? If not, tell us."

7 Hushai said to Absalom, "Ahithophel's advice is not good this time."

8 Hushai added, "You know your father and his men are strong. They are as angry as a bear that is robbed of its cubs. Your father is a skilled fighter. He won't stay all night with the army.

9 He is probably already hiding in a cave or some other place. If the first attack fails, people will hear the news and think, 'Absalom's followers are losing!'

10 Then even the men who are as brave as lions will be frightened, because all the Israelites know your father is a fighter. They know his men are brave!

2 Samuel 17:1-10 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.