Keraia
2 Samuel 17

2 Samuel 17:13

Hushai Counters Ahithophel’s Advice · 2 Samuel 17:1–14
Read 2 Samuel 17

Translations

Modern
If he retreats to a city, all Israel will bring ropes to that city, and we will drag it down to the valley until not even a pebble can be found there.”
Traditional
Moreover, if he be gotten into a city, then shall all Israel bring ropes to that city, and we will draw it into the river, until there be not one small stone found there.
Literal
And if he withdraws into a city, all Israel shall bring to that city ropes, and we will pull it into the river until that there is not found there even a pebble.”
Latin
Quod si urbem aliquam fuerit ingressus, circumdabit omnis Israël civitati illi funes, et trahemus eam in torrentem, ut non reperiatur ne calculus quidem ex ea.

Original

Hebrew
English
If he retreats to a city, all Israel will bring ropes to that city, and we will drag it down to the valley until not even a pebble can be found there.”

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

People

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

Glossary

Absalom Ahithophel Benaiah David 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 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 War: Counsels of