2 Samuel 17:10

Translations

Modern

Then even the most valiant soldier with the heart of a lion will melt with fear, because all Israel knows that your father is a mighty man who has valiant men with him.

Traditional

And he also that is valiant, whose heart is as the heart of a lion, shall utterly melt: for all Israel knoweth that thy father is a mighty man, and they which be with him are valiant men.

Literal

And even he also, the son of valor whose heart is like the heart of a lion, will utterly melt. For all Israel knows that your father is a mighty man, and those who are with him are sons of valor.

Latin

Et fortissimus quisque, cujus cor est quasi leonis, pavore solvetur: scit enim omnis populus Israël fortem esse patrem tuum, et robustos omnes qui cum eo sunt.

Original

Hebrew

English

Then even the most valiant soldier with the heart of a lion will melt with fear, because all Israel knows that your father is a mighty man who has valiant men with him.

Notes

2 Samuel 17:1–14

Ahithophel advised a quick surprise attack against David with a small force of 12,000 men (2 Samuel 17:1). This plan would give David no time to prepare or organize a defense.

David’s double agent, Hushai, gave different advice. He urged Absalom to wait and gather the entire army of Israel before attacking (2 Samuel 17:11). This plan promised a much larger force and would prevent David from using guerrilla tactics (small surprise attacks).

Because the Lord was working against Absalom, he rejected Ahithophel’s good advice and accepted Hushai’s poor advice (2 Samuel 17:14; compare 1 Kings 12:1–15).

Theme notes and profiles

Absalom David Counsel from Others

Events

Reign of David

Related verses

Joshua 2:9–11
…and said to them, “I know that the LORD has given you this land and that the fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who dwell in the land are melting in fear of you.
Proverbs 28:1
The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
Deuteronomy 1:28
Where can we go? Our brothers have made our hearts melt, saying: ‘The people are larger and taller than we are; the cities are large, with walls up to the heavens. We even saw the descendants of the Anakim there.’”
1 Samuel 18:17
Then Saul said to David, “Here is my older daughter Merab. I will give her to you in marriage. Only be valiant for me and fight the LORD’s battles.” But Saul was thinking, “I need not raise my hand against him; let the hand of the Philistines be against him.”
2 Samuel 23:20
And Benaiah son of Jehoiada was a man of valor from Kabzeel, a man of many exploits. He struck down two champions of Moab, and on a snowy day he went down into a pit and killed a lion.
Numbers 24:8–9
God brought him out of Egypt with strength like a wild ox, to devour hostile nations and crush their bones, to pierce them with arrows.
2 Samuel 1:23
Saul and Jonathan, beloved and delightful in life, were not divided in death. They were swifter than eagles; they were stronger than lions.
Isaiah 13:7
Therefore all hands will fall limp, and every man’s heart will melt.
Isaiah 19:1
This is the burden against Egypt: Behold, the LORD rides on a swift cloud; He is coming to Egypt. The idols of Egypt will tremble before Him, and the hearts of the Egyptians will melt within them.
Song of Solomon 3:7
Behold, it is Solomon’s carriage, escorted by sixty of the mightiest men of Israel.
Genesis 49:9
Judah is a young lion—my son, you return from the prey. Like a lion he crouches and lies down; like a lioness, who dares to rouse him?
Hebrews 11:34
…quenched the raging fire, and escaped the edge of the sword; who gained strength from weakness, became mighty in battle, and put foreign armies to flight.

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes

Glossary

Absalom Ahithophel Benaiah David Gilead (Place) Hushai Kings, Books of First and Second Lion Nathan Samuel, Books of First and Second

Topics

Ahithophel: Joins Absalom Ahithophel: Suicide of Armies: March in Ranks: Delay Council of War Diplomacy: David, in Sending Hushai Absalom's Court Falsehood in his Deceitful Counsel to Absalom Friendship: David and Hushai Prudence: Abigail Spies used at the Court of Absalom Strategy in War The Lion: Courageous War: Counsels of

2 Samuel 17:10

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