2 Samuel 17 - Printer Friendly

What does 2 Samuel 17 mean?

Chapter Commentary:

In this chapter, God starts to restore David.

After David sinned against Bathsheba and Uriah, God cursed David that violence and evil would arise from his house, and another would take his wives in a public manner (2 Samuel 12:9–13). The first act of violence was Amnon's rape of Tamar. The second was Absalom's murder of Amnon (2 Samuel 13). The evil is Absalom's betrayal of and rebellion against David: Absalom now controls Jerusalem (2 Samuel 15:1–13; 16:15). The final piece was Absalom taking David's concubines to a tent on David's roof and having sex with them where everyone in the city could tell what he was doing (2 Samuel 16:20–23).

David's former counselor Ahithophel joined Absalom's revolt and guided him at least with the concubines. With that act, God's curse on David is finished. Absalom and Ahithophel, once God's instruments of judgment, are now subject to judgment themselves. God holds them responsible for their sins against David, starting with Ahithophel.

Ahithophel is still cunning, even if his wisdom doesn't come from the fear of God (Proverbs 1:7). He asks to take a dozen "thousands" or divisions of fighters with him that very night. His plan is to catch David while he is worn out and off-guard. Ahithophel stresses that it is important they kill only David. He assures Absalom that all of David's supporters will then declare their loyalty to Absalom, since there will be no other option (2 Samuel 17:1–3).

Absalom and those with him think this sounds like a good plan. Strategically, it's excellent advice. But Absalom wants to hear a second opinion from his other counselor, Hushai, before agreeing. Hushai is David's spy, sent to thwart Ahithophel (2 Samuel 15:32–37). Hushai tells Absalom that Ahithophel's counsel is not good. Hushai argues that they underestimate David's experience and his men's fury. The moment the first of Ahithophel's men die, the rest will lose all courage (2 Samuel 17:4–10).

Hushai tells Absalom to gather a truly massive army of Israelites loyal to him from all over Israel. Then he can hunt David down and overwhelm him with the sheer force of numbers. If he's in a city, Absalom will have the manpower to tear the walls down. Absalom won't win if they only kill David; they need to destroy everyone loyal to him. This option has appeal, but it's a tactical blunder. It gives David time to establish defense and prepare for combat. Absalom and Israel's elders agree with Hushai because God has ordained to defeat both Absalom and Ahithophel (2 Samuel 17:11–14).

Hushai has bought David some time, but not much. He sends word that David needs to get his people across the Jordan River and out of Absalom's reach. As they coordinated before, David tells the priests, Zadok and Abiathar. They send a servant woman to tell their sons Jonathan and Ahimaaz. A man sees them and races to tell Absalom. As soldiers look for them, Jonathan and Ahimaaz hide in a well with the help of a local woman. The soldiers leave, and Jonathan and Ahimaaz reach David. By sunrise, David and all his people are gone, disappeared into the empty lands on the other side of the Jordan River (2 Samuel 17:15–22).

Meanwhile, Ahithophel realizes that Absalom has rejected his counsel. His response is extreme, possibly because he knows that Hushai's plan will fail and doom those loyal to Absalom. At the least, it means Ahithophel's not as respected as he'd thought. He returns home, puts his affairs in order, and kills himself (2 Samuel 17:23).

With a head start, David and those with him escape through the wilderness. As Absalom and his army cross the Jordan River, David's company arrives at the Ammonite city of Mahanaim in Gilead, where several local leaders give the weary travelers provisions (2 Samuel 17:24–29).

Hushai's warning gives David time to organize his troops. The three companies of Philistine mercenaries (2 Samuel 15:18) have been joined by David's generals and thousands of fighting men who are still loyal to him. The soldiers refuse to let David fight; their mission is to see David on his throne, not in his tomb. The armies meet in the forest of Ephraim where many thousands die. Despite David's wishes, Joab kills Absalom (2 Samuel 18:1–15). David is heartbroken at the loss of yet another son, but God's curses against him are over, and he can start to rebuild his nation.

Second Samuel 17:1–4 records Ahithophel's last good advice. He's been Absalom's advisor through the rebellion against David and the invasion of Jerusalem. With David and his people on the run, Ahithophel wants to move quickly with a small force, kill David, and bring back David's servants. David's spy, Hushai, will counter that David and his men are experienced and angry, and Absalom should gather and lead a much bigger army. While Hushai uses the time to warn David to get his people to safety, Ahithophel puts his affairs in order and kills himself (2 Samuel 17:5–23).

Second Samuel 17:5–10 proves David right about his plan to use Hushai. As David fled Absalom, he commissioned Hushai to counter Ahithophel's advice to Absalom (2 Samuel 15:32–37). Ahithophel wants a relatively small force to hunt David down before he and his people can recover from their flight from Jerusalem (2 Samuel 17:1–4). Hushai reminds Absalom of David's skill in war and his men's inevitable rage at being exiled from their city. Hushai will continue to suggest they wait, gather more men, and overwhelm David and his army. Absalom will agree. Hushai warns David, and Ahithophel, realizing God is not on his side, will hang himself (2 Samuel 17:11–23).

Second Samuel 17:11–14 describes how Hushai makes a poor plan sound brilliant. David and his people are on the run from Absalom's rebellion. Ahithophel wants to strike fast, kill only David, and bring the people back to serve Absalom. Hushai reminds the council of David's reputation in war (2 Samuel 17:1–10). He says Absalom should gather more men from all the tribes and lead them into battle. Absalom agrees to this tactical blunder because it was God's intent to thwart Ahithophel's influence. Hushai will send word to David through the priests to cross the river to safety in Ammon. Ahithophel realizes David is going to win and will commit suicide (2 Samuel 17:15–29).

Second Samuel 17:15–20 brings David's plan together. As he fled Absalom's marching followers, David told the priests to stay behind and send word of Absalom's plans. He then told Hushai to infiltrate Absalom's court and counter Ahithophel's counsel (2 Samuel 15:24–37). Hushai has discovered Absalom and Ahithophel's plans and altered them to give David more time (2 Samuel 17:1–14). The priests' sons get word to David, and David gets his people safely over the Jordan River (2 Samuel 17:21–29).

Second Samuel 17:21–23 is Ahithophel's sad realization that he's not as wise as he thought he was. He joined Absalom's rebellion against David. Almost immediately, his superb strategy was foiled by David's friend Hushai (2 Samuel 17:1–14). Because of that error, David and his people are now safe from Absalom across the Jordan River. Ahithophel knows David will succeed, and that his own time is short. Ahithophel takes matters into his own hands and kills himself. Meanwhile, David's people reach the eastern border of Israel, where local leaders meet them with everything they need to recover from their frantic flight (2 Samuel 17:27–29).

Second Samuel 17:24–29 records Israel preparing for civil war. Absalom has taken Jerusalem. David's friends sabotaged Absalom's planning so David's people can reach Mahanaim. There, allies greet them with beds and food. Despite the delay, Absalom and his army are encamped on the west side of the Jordan River, ready for war. The battle will last one day. At the end, thousands will be dead, including Absalom (2 Samuel 18:1–15). David will have to heal a nation Absalom spent four years tearing apart (2 Samuel 19).

Chapter Summary:

David's cunning plan to thwart Absalom works. David enlisted Hushai's help to counter Ahithophel's advice (2 Samuel 15:31–37). Ahithophel wants to take a small force and move immediately to kill only David while he is still fleeing. Hushai suggests they wait, gather a larger army, and destroy David's men. Absalom agrees with Hushai. Hushai sends warnings through the priests and their sons, and David and his people safely cross the Jordan River. As Absalom reaches the Jordan, local leaders care for the exiles. David's army has time to get organized and prepare for battle (2 Samuel 18:1–15).

Chapter Context:

God's prior instruments of judgment see justice done to themselves. Absalom and Ahithophel rebelled against David, but now God's curses against David are complete (2 Samuel 12:9–13; 16:13, 20–23). The advisor Ahithophel watches helplessly as David's spy Hushai undermines his authority. Seeing the end, Ahithophel kills himself. Hushai helps David and his people to flee to safety. David has time to organize his fighting forces and send them into battle. In one day, they defeat Absalom's army. Against David's will, they also kill Absalom (2 Samuel 18:1–15). Now, David must do the hard work of reconciling the nation.

Second Samuel continues the story of David, who will become king over Judah. The other tribes of Israel are resistant, eventually sparking a civil war. David wins and makes Jerusalem his capital. Early success is followed by moral failure and controversy in David's house. The book of 1 Kings will begin by detailing David's decline and death.

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