2 Samuel 17:11 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But my counsel is that all Israel be gathered to you, from Dan to Beersheba, as the sand by the sea for multitude, and that you go to battle in person.

NIV: "So I advise you: Let all Israel, from Dan to Beersheba—as numerous as the sand on the seashore—be gathered to you, with you yourself leading them into battle.

NASB: But I advise that all Israel be fully gathered to you, from Dan even to Beersheba, like the sand that is by the sea in abundance; and that you personally go into battle.

CSB: Instead, I advise that all Israel from Dan to Beer-sheba—as numerous as the sand by the sea —be gathered to you and that you personally go into battle.

NLT: I recommend that you mobilize the entire army of Israel, bringing them from as far away as Dan in the north and Beersheba in the south. That way you will have an army as numerous as the sand on the seashore. And I advise that you personally lead the troops.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: Therefore I advise that all Israel be fully gathered to you, from Dan to Beersheba, like the sand that is by the sea for multitude, and that you go to battle in person.

Absalom has stolen Israel's hearts and Jerusalem's throne. But he will never truly be king until his father, David, is destroyed. Ahithophel, considered the wisest and best strategist in Israel, has a plan. He'll lead a force of men to hunt David right away. This will catch David and those who fled Jerusalem with him unprepared and tired. Ahithophel's men will kill David and bring his servants back to Jerusalem. Then all Israel will be united under Absalom (2 Samuel 17:1–3).

However, Hushai has infiltrated Absalom's court under David's command to thwart Ahithophel's plans (2 Samuel 15:32–37). Hushai claims David and his men are too experienced and angry to fall before the available troops. Ahithophel's army will melt in fear (2 Samuel 17:5–10). Absalom needs a bigger army, and he needs to lead it himself. Absalom won the nation by riding in a chariot to the city gates and talking to people (2 Samuel 15:1–6). Hushai says he can keep it by properly riding into battle.

Of course, it is terrible advice to miss striking David while unprepared. But with God's influence, Absalom and the elders will prefer this second plan (2 Samuel 17:14).

"Dan to Beersheba" was a figure of speech referring to all the land Israel encompassed. Beersheba was in the middle of Simeon's tribal territory, which was itself in the middle of Judah. Beersheba was on the border of the Negev, at a well near two wadis: seasonally dry creek beds. The city received just enough rainfall for agriculture, but anything south required irrigation. It wasn't the southernmost part of David's kingdom—that would be Kadesh-barnea—but it was the southernmost city that had the resources to sustain a larger population, and it was considered the capital of the Negev.

The "Dan" of the saying wasn't the tribe just northwest of Judah. It was a city southwest of Mt. Hermon, almost directly east of Tyre on the eastern border of Naphtali, just east of the Jordan River. Although Sidon in northern Asher was the northernmost city, the Israelites never controlled it or its sister-city Tyre (Judges 1:31). So, Dan was considered the northernmost city.

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).

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).

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.