English Standard Version
2 Samuel 17:3
3and I will bring all the people back to you as a bride comes home to her husband. You seek the life of only one man, and all the people will be at peace."
2 Samuel 17:3 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)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.
- New International Version (NIV)and bring all the people back to you. The death of the man you seek will mean the return of all; all the people will be unharmed.”
- New King James Version (NKJV)Then I will bring back all the people to you. When all return except the man whom you seek, all the people will be at peace.”
- New Living Translation (NLT)and I will bring all the people back to you as a bride returns to her husband. After all, it is only one man’s life that you seek. Then you will be at peace with all the people.”
Context of 2 Samuel 17:3
1Moreover, Ahithophel said to Absalom, "Let me choose twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue David tonight. 2I 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, and I will bring all the people back to you as a bride comes home to her husband. You seek the life of only one man, and all the people will be at peace." 4And the advice seemed right in the eyes of Absalom and all the elders of Israel. 5Then Absalom said, "Call Hushai the Archite also, and let us hear what he has to say."
Read all of 2 Samuel 172 Samuel 17:3 word by word
וְאָשִׁ֥יבָה כָל־הָעָ֖ם אֵלֶ֑יךָ כְּשׁ֣וּב הַכֹּ֔ל הָאִישׁ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אַתָּ֣ה מְבַקֵּ֔שׁ כָּל־הָעָ֖ם יִהְיֶ֥ה שָׁלֽוֹם׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for 2 Samuel 17:3
- 2 Samuel 3:21And Abner said to David, "I will arise and go and will gather all Israel to my lord the king, that they may make a covenant with you, and that you may reign over all that your heart desires." So David sent Abner away, and he went in peace.
- Isaiah 48:22"There is no peace," says the Lord, "for the wicked."
- Isaiah 57:21There is no peace," says my God, "for the wicked."
- 1 Thessalonians 5:3While people are saying, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
Commentaries on 2 Samuel 17:3
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 3The man whom thou seekest is as if all returned - Only secure David, and all Israel will be on thy side. He is the soul of the whole; destroy him, and all the rest will submit.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 3The man whom thou seekest - namely, David. Ahithophel means to say: “If I can only smite David, there will be no civil war, all the people will peaceably submit.”Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 3as a bride … You seek: The Hebrew text suggests that everyone's loyalty depends on David's death. The Greek version shows a young wife returning to her husband after a brief argument.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-142Sa 17:1-14. Ahithophel's Counsel Overthrown by Hushai. 1-11. Moreover Ahithophel said unto Absalom--The recommendation to take prompt and decisive measures before the royalist forces could be collected and arranged, evinced the deep political sagacity of this councillor. The adoption of his advice would have extinguished the cause of David; and it affords a dreadful proof of the extremities to which the heartless prince was, to secure his ambitious…Read the comment
Topics related to 2 Samuel 17:3
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on 2 Samuel 17
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries