2 Samuel 17

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

9 forsitan nunc latitat in foveis aut in uno quo voluerit loco et cum ceciderit unus quilibet in principio audiet quicumque audierit et dicet facta est plaga in populo qui sequebatur Absalom

10 et fortissimus quoque cuius cor est quasi leonis pavore solvetur scit enim omnis populus Israhel fortem esse patrem tuum et robustos omnes qui cum eo sunt

11 sed hoc mihi videtur rectum esse consilium congregetur ad te universus Israhel a Dan usque Bersabee quasi harena maris innumerabilis et tu eris in medio eorum

12 et inruemus super eum in quocumque loco fuerit inventus et operiemus eum sicut cadere solet ros super terram et non relinquemus de viris qui cum eo sunt ne unum quidem

13 quod si urbem aliquam fuerit ingressus circumdabit omnis Israhel civitati illi funes et trahemus eam in torrentem ut non repperiatur nec calculus quidem ex ea

14 dixitque Absalom et omnis vir Israhel melius consilium Husai Arachitae consilio Ahitofel Domini autem nutu dissipatum est consilium Ahitofel utile ut induceret Dominus super Absalom malum

15 et ait Husai Sadoc et Abiathar sacerdotibus hoc et hoc modo consilium dedit Ahitofel Absalom et senibus Israhel et ego tale et tale dedi consilium

16 nunc ergo mittite cito et nuntiate David dicentes ne moremini nocte hac in campestribus deserti sed absque dilatione transgredere ne forte absorbeatur rex et omnis populus qui cum eo est

17 Ionathan autem et Achimaas stabant iuxta fontem Rogel abiit ancilla et nuntiavit eis et illi profecti sunt ut referrent ad regem David nuntium non enim poterant videri aut introire civitatem

18 vidit autem eos quidam puer et indicavit Absalom illi vero concito gradu ingressi sunt domum cuiusdam viri in Baurim qui habebat puteum in vestibulo suo et descenderunt in eum

19 tulit autem mulier et expandit velamen super os putei quasi siccans ptisanas et sic res latuit

20 cumque venissent servi Absalom ad mulierem in domum dixerunt ubi est Achimaas et Ionathan et respondit eis mulier transierunt gustata paululum aqua at hii qui quaerebant cum non repperissent reversi sunt Hierusalem

21 cumque abissent ascenderunt illi de puteo et pergentes nuntiaverunt regi David atque dixerunt surgite transite cito fluvium quoniam huiuscemodi dedit consilium contra vos Ahitofel

22 surrexit ergo David et omnis populus qui erat cum eo et transierunt Iordanem donec dilucesceret et ne unus quidem residuus fuit qui non transisset fluvium

23 porro Ahitofel videns quod non fuisset factum consilium suum stravit asinum suum et surrexit et abiit in domum suam et in civitatem suam et disposita domo sua suspendio interiit et sepultus est in sepulchro patris sui

24 David autem venit in Castra et Absalom transivit Iordanem ipse et omnis vir Israhel cum eo

25 Amasam vero constituit Absalom pro Ioab super exercitum Amasa autem erat filius viri qui vocabatur Iethra de Hiesreli qui ingressus est ad Abigail filiam Naas sororem Sarviae quae fuit mater Ioab

26 et castrametatus est Israhel cum Absalom in terra Galaad

27 cumque venisset David in Castra Sobi filius Naas de Rabbath filiorum Ammon et Machir filius Ammihel de Lodabar et Berzellai Galaadites de Rogelim

28 obtulerunt ei stratoria et tappetia et vasa fictilia frumentum et hordeum et farinam pulentam et fabam et lentem frixum cicer

29 et mel et butyrum oves et pingues vitulos dederuntque David et populo qui cum eo erat ad vescendum suspicati enim sunt populum fame et siti fatigari in deserto

2 Samuel 17 Commentary

Chapter 17

Ahithophel's counsel overthrown. (1-21) He hangs himself, Absalom pursues David. (22-29)

Verses 1-21 Here was a wonderful effect of Divine Providence blinding Absalom's mind and influencing his heart, that he could not rest in Ahithophel's counsel, and that he should desire Hushai's advice. But there is no contending with that God who can arm a man against himself, and destroy him by his own mistakes and passions. Ahithophel's former counsel was followed, for God intended to correct David; but his latter counsel was not followed, for God meant not to destroy him. He can overrule all counsels. Whatever wisdom or help any man employs or affords, the success is from God alone, who will not let his people perish.

Verses 22-29 Ahithophel hanged himself for vexation that his counsel was not followed. That will break a proud man's heart which will not break a humble man's sleep. He thought himself in danger, concluding, that, because his counsel was not followed, Absalom's cause would fail; and to prevent a possible public execution, he does justice upon himself. Thus the breath is stopped, and the head laid low, from which nothing could be expected but mischief. Absalom chased his father. But observe how God sometimes makes up to his people that comfort from strangers, which they are disappointed of in their own families. Our King needs not our help; but he assures us, that what we do for the least of his brethren, who are sick, poor, and destitute, shall be accepted and recompensed as if done to himself

Chapter Summary

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.