2 Samuel 17:1-8

1 dixit igitur Ahitofel ad Absalom eligam mihi duodecim milia virorum et consurgens persequar David hac nocte

2 et inruens super eum quippe qui lassus est et solutis manibus percutiam eum cumque fugerit omnis populus qui cum eo est percutiam regem desolatum

3 et reducam universum populum quomodo omnis reverti solet unum enim virum tu quaeris et omnis populus erit in pace

4 placuitque sermo eius Absalom et cunctis maioribus natu Israhel

5 ait autem Absalom vocate et Husai Arachiten et audiamus quid etiam ipse dicat

6 cumque venisset Husai ad Absalom ait Absalom ad eum huiuscemodi sermonem locutus est Ahitofel facere debemus an non quod das consilium

7 et dixit Husai ad Absalom non bonum consilium quod dedit Ahitofel hac vice

8 et rursum intulit Husai tu nosti patrem tuum et viros qui cum eo sunt esse fortissimos et amaro animo veluti si ursa raptis catulis in saltu saeviat sed et pater tuus vir bellator est nec morabitur cum populo

2 Samuel 17:1-8 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.