1 Moreover Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Let me now choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night:
2 And I will come upon him while he [is] weary and weak handed, and will make him afraid: and all the people that [are] with him shall flee; and I will smite the king only:
3 And I will bring back all the people unto thee: the man whom thou seekest [is] as if all returned: [so] all the people shall be in peace.
4 And the saying pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of Israel.
5 Then said Absalom, Call now Hushai the Archite also, and let us hear likewise what he saith.
6 And when Hushai was come to Absalom, Absalom spake unto him, saying, Ahithophel hath spoken after this manner: shall we do [after] his saying? if not; speak thou.
7 And Hushai said unto Absalom, The counsel that Ahithophel hath given [is] not good at this time.
8 For, said Hushai, thou knowest thy father and his men, that they [be] mighty men, and they [be] chafed in their minds, as a bear robbed of her whelps in the field: and thy father [is] a man of war, and will not lodge with the people.
9 Behold, he is hid now in some pit, or in some [other] place: and it will come to pass, when some of them be overthrown at the first, that whosoever heareth it will say, There is a slaughter among the people that follow Absalom.
10 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.
11 Therefore I counsel that all Israel be generally gathered unto thee, from Dan even to Beersheba, as the sand that [is] by the sea for multitude; and that thou go to battle in thine own person.
12 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.
13 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.
14 And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, The counsel of Hushai the Archite [is] better than the counsel of Ahithophel. For the LORD had appointed to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that the LORD might bring evil upon Absalom.
15 Then said Hushai unto Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, Thus and thus did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the elders of Israel; and thus and thus have I counselled.
16 Now therefore send quickly, and tell David, saying, Lodge not this night in the plains of the wilderness, but speedily pass over; lest the king be swallowed up, and all the people that [are] with him.
17 Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz stayed by Enrogel; for they might not be seen to come into the city: and a wench went and told them; and they went and told king David.
18 Nevertheless a lad saw them, and told Absalom: but they went both of them away quickly, and came to a man’s house in Bahurim, which had a well in his court; whither they went down.
19 And the woman took and spread a covering over the well’s mouth, and spread ground corn thereon; and the thing was not known.
20 And when Absalom’s servants came to the woman to the house, they said, Where [is] Ahimaaz and Jonathan? And the woman said unto them, They be gone over the brook of water. And when they had sought and could not find [them], they returned to Jerusalem.
21 And it came to pass, after they were departed, that they came up out of the well, and went and told king David, and said unto David, Arise, and pass quickly over the water: for thus hath Ahithophel counselled against you.
22 Then David arose, and all the people that [were] with him, and they passed over Jordan: by the morning light there lacked not one of them that was not gone over Jordan.
23 And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled [his] ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father.
24 Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom passed over Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him.
25 And Absalom made Amasa captain of the host instead of Joab: which Amasa [was] a man’s son, whose name [was] Ithra an Israelite, that went in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah Joab’s mother.
26 So Israel and Absalom pitched in the land of Gilead.
27 And it came to pass, when David was come to Mahanaim, that Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and Machir the son of Ammiel of Lodebar, and Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim,
28 Brought beds, and basons, and earthen vessels, and wheat, and barley, and flour, and parched [corn], and beans, and lentiles, and parched [pulse],
29 And honey, and butter, and sheep, and cheese of kine, for David, and for the people that [were] with him, to eat: for they said, The people [is] hungry, and weary, and thirsty, in the wilderness.
Summary of 2 Samuel Chapter 17
2 Samuel 17 presents a critical moment in the ongoing conflict between King David and his son Absalom. The chapter details the political maneuvers and strategies employed by Absalom and his advisors, particularly Ahithophel, as they seek to consolidate power and eliminate David. The chapter also highlights the loyalty of David’s supporters and the divine intervention that plays a role in the unfolding events.
Key Characters
- Absalom: The son of David who seeks to overthrow his father and take the throne of Israel.
- Ahithophel: A highly regarded counselor to Absalom whose advice is sought for military strategy.
- Hushai: A loyal friend of David who pretends to support Absalom in order to gather intelligence for David.
- David: The former king of Israel, now fleeing from Absalom’s rebellion.
Plot Overview
- Ahithophel’s Counsel (Verses 1-4):
Ahithophel advises Absalom to pursue David immediately, suggesting that he take a small force and strike while David is weary and vulnerable. This plan is designed to eliminate David quickly and decisively.
- Hushai’s Counter-Advice (Verses 5-14):
Hushai, who is secretly loyal to David, counters Ahithophel’s advice by suggesting a more cautious approach. He argues that David is a fierce warrior and that Absalom should gather a larger army to confront him. Hushai’s counsel is ultimately favored by Absalom, illustrating the importance of strategy over haste.
- The Warning to David (Verses 15-22):
After Hushai gains Absalom’s trust, he sends word to David through two priests, Zadok and Abiathar. They inform David to cross the Jordan River and take refuge in the wilderness to avoid being caught by Absalom’s forces.
- Absalom’s Pursuit (Verses 23-29):
Ahithophel, upon realizing that his counsel was not followed, hangs himself, illustrating the despair of failed ambitions. Meanwhile, Absalom gathers his forces and prepares to pursue David, but the chapter ends with David receiving provisions and support from loyal followers.
Thematic Analysis
- Divine Providence:
The chapter underscores the theme of divine intervention. Hushai’s successful manipulation of Absalom’s decision-making demonstrates how God can influence outcomes in favor of His chosen leader, David.
- Wisdom vs. Foolishness:
The contrast between Ahithophel’s and Hushai’s advice highlights the importance of wisdom in leadership. Ahithophel’s immediate strategy reflects rashness, while Hushai’s approach shows the value of careful planning and gathering strength.
- Loyalty and Betrayal:
The chapter explores themes of loyalty, as seen in Hushai’s dedication to David, and betrayal, as exemplified by Absalom’s rebellion against his father. It raises questions about the nature of loyalty in the face of political ambition.
Conclusion
2 Samuel 17 is a pivotal chapter that illustrates the complexities of political intrigue, the dynamics of loyalty and betrayal, and the overarching theme of divine providence in the narrative of David’s kingship. The chapter sets the stage for the ensuing conflict and the eventual resolution of Absalom’s rebellion.
