2 Samuel 17:12

Translations

Modern

Then we will attack David wherever we find him, and we will descend on him like dew on the ground. And of all the men with him, not even one will remain.

Traditional

So shall we come upon him in some place where he shall be found, and we will light upon him as the dew falleth on the ground: and of him and of all the men that are with him there shall not be left so much as one.

Literal

And we will come upon him in one of the places where he may be found, and we will be on him as the dew falls on the ground, and there shall not be left of him and all the men who are with him even one.

Latin

Et irruemus super eum in quocumque loco inventus fuerit, et operiemus eum, sicut cadere solet ros super terram: et non relinquemus de viris qui cum eo sunt, ne unum quidem.

Original

Hebrew

English

Then we will attack David wherever we find him, and we will descend on him like dew on the ground. And of all the men with him, not even one will remain.

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

1 Kings 20:10
Then Ben-hadad sent another message to Ahab: “May the gods deal with me, and ever so severely, if enough dust remains of Samaria for each of my men to have a handful.”
Obadiah 1:3
The pride of your heart has deceived you, O dwellers in the clefts of the rocks whose habitation is the heights, who say in your heart, ‘Who can bring me down to the ground?’
Isaiah 10:13–14
For he says: ‘By the strength of my hand I have done this, and by my wisdom, for I am clever. I have removed the boundaries of nations and plundered their treasures; like a mighty one I subdued their rulers.
1 Samuel 23:23
Observe and find out all the places where he hides. Then come back to me with certainty, and I will go with you. If he is in the land, I will search him out among all the clans of Judah.”
2 Kings 18:23
Now, therefore, make a bargain with my master, the king of Assyria. I will give you two thousand horses—if you can put riders on them!
2 Kings 19:24
I have dug wells and drunk foreign waters. With the soles of my feet I have dried up all the streams of Egypt.”

Glossary

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

Topics

Ahithophel: Joins Absalom Ahithophel: Suicide of Armies: March in Ranks: Delay Council of War Dew: Forms Imperceptibly 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 Symbols and Similitudes of the Holy Spirit: Imperceptible The Emblems of the Holy Spirit: Rain and Dew: Imperceptible War: Counsels of

2 Samuel 17:12

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Events?

Related verses?

Glossary?

Topics?