2 Samuel 17:29 - Printer Friendly

ESV: honey and curds and sheep and cheese from the herd, for David and the people with him to eat, for they said, "The people are hungry and weary and thirsty in the wilderness."

NIV: honey and curds, sheep, and cheese from cows’ milk for David and his people to eat. For they said, "The people have become exhausted and hungry and thirsty in the wilderness."

NASB: honey, curds, sheep, and cheese of the herd, for David and the people who were with him, to eat. For they said, 'The people are hungry and exhausted and thirsty in the wilderness.'

CSB: honey, curds, sheep, goats, and cheese from the herd for David and the people with him to eat. They had reasoned, "The people must be hungry, exhausted, and thirsty in the wilderness."

NLT: honey, butter, sheep, goats, and cheese for David and those who were with him. For they said, 'You must all be very hungry and tired and thirsty after your long march through the wilderness.'

KJV: 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.

NKJV: honey and curds, sheep and cheese of the herd, for David and the people who were with him to eat. For they said, “The people are hungry and weary and thirsty in the wilderness.”

David has a moment to catch his breath for the first time in days. First, his son Absalom won the hearts of the people and drove David and his servants out of Jerusalem (2 Samuel 15:12–14). Then Absalom gathered an army and chased David to Gilead, on the east side of the Jordan River (2 Samuel 17:21–22). David and his people have reached Mahanaim on the eastern border of Israel. They can finally stop looking over their shoulders.

Friends have met them. Shobi is the son of David's ally Nahash, the late king of Rabbah (2 Samuel 10:1–2). Machir had cared for Mephibosheth after Jonathan's death (2 Samuel 9:1–5). Barzillai is both rich and exceedingly generous. He's brought beds, washing basins, grains, and legumes: the basics (2 Samuel 17:27–28). But he goes above and beyond with honey, curds, cheese, and sheep. His gifts ensure David's men are prepared for battle.

The active phase of this civil war only lasts one brutal day. Absalom started with at least 12,000 fighting men and conscripted many more. David's army is 30,000, but he also has Joab, Abishai, the Philistine mercenary commander Ittai, and his mighty men (2 Samuel 15:18; 16:6). David's men won't let him fight; the point of the war is to return David to the throne; that can't happen if he dies in battle. David tells them to spare Absalom. Most agree (2 Samuel 18:1–5). They will fight in the "forests of Ephraim," a place which modern scholars have not yet identified. It can't be in the tribal territory of Ephraim since that tribe is west of the Jordan.

In the battle, some 20,000 men will be killed. When Absalom rides under an oak tree and his hair gets caught in a branch, Joab will overrule David's order and kill the rebellious son (2 Samuel 18:6–15). Despite victory, David will fall into despair over Absalom's death. Joab will then rebuke David: men died for David because of Absalom (2 Samuel 19:1–8). David will respond by removing Joab from his position, while forgiving most everyone else and beginning the hard work of reuniting the nation.

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).

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.