2 Samuel 17:2 - Printer Friendly

ESV: I will come upon him while he is weary and discouraged and throw him into a panic, and all the people who are with him will flee. I will strike down only the king,

NIV: I would attack him while he is weary and weak. I would strike him with terror, and then all the people with him will flee. I would strike down only the king

NASB: And I will attack him while he is weary and exhausted and startle him, so that all the people who are with him will flee. Then I will strike and kill the king when he is alone,

CSB: I will attack him while he is weary and discouraged, throw him into a panic, and all the people with him will scatter. I will strike down only the king

NLT: I will catch up with him while he is weary and discouraged. He and his troops will panic, and everyone will run away. Then I will kill only the king,

KJV: 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:

NKJV: I will come upon him while he is weary and weak, and make him afraid. And all the people who are with him will flee, and I will strike only the king.

David's son Absalom declared himself king and marched into Jerusalem. He won over many in Israel, including David's trusted counselor Ahithophel (2 Samuel 15:9–13; 16:15). As soon as Absalom arrived in David's court, Ahithophel suggested he have sex with David's concubines. Doing so was a traditional way for a new king to declare himself in possession of the prior king's authority. Ahithophel plans to stage this in a tent on the roof so everyone would immediately know what Absalom is doing. Ahithophel's purpose was to show Absalom's followers that he had placed an irreparable break in his relationship with his father, declaring dominance over the old king (2 Samuel 16:20–22).

Now, Ahithophel moves from politics and morale to tactics and strategy. Absalom can't stay king as long as David lives. Ahithophel offers to take available men and chase David to their camp by the Jordan River (2 Samuel 17:1). Ahithophel will only kill David. Then, he believes, David's people will quickly fall into line and accept Absalom as their king (2 Samuel 17:3). This is good tactics: taking advantage of the enemy's weakness before they have a chance to mount a defense.

Ahithophel's plan to strike with precision and speed resembles something David did. While Saul and the Israelite army were chasing David and his men, David and Abishai, Joab's brother, snuck into the camp at night. God had placed a deep sleep on the army, and David and Abishai walked right to the center of the encampment to where Saul and Abner, his general, slept. Abishai pushed David to let him kill Saul. David, as always, refused to touch God's anointed king. They stole Saul's spear and his jug of water and crept away. Once they were far enough, they called out to Abner and mocked him for not protecting his king. Saul woke up and admitted he had no right to chase David (1 Samuel 26).

Neither Absalom nor Ahithophel have the same relationship with God that David has. Obeying God by submitting to His chosen king isn't even a consideration. There is one man in Absalom's court who cares about God: David's friend Hushai. When Absalom asks Hushai for advice, the old man reminds the upstart that his father is a great warrior. His men are experienced and enraged. Hushai claims David's loyalists will tear apart such a small force. Instead, Absalom should conscript a greater army from every tribe. Only then will Absalom have a chance to defeat David (2 Samuel 17:5–13).

Absalom and his counselors don't know that Hushai is a double agent. None but Ahithophel recognizes that the counter proposal is disastrous. This massing of troops will delay Absalom just enough for Hushai to send word to David. David and his people will be across the Jordan and on their way to the Ammonite border before Absalom can gather his army (2 Samuel 17:15–24).

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).

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.