God’s Word Translation
2 Samuel 17:3
3I’ll return all the people to you as a bride is returned to her husband. Since you will be seeking the life of only one man, all the people will have 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.”
- English Standard Version (ESV)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."
- 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.”
Context of 2 Samuel 17:3
1Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Let me choose 12,000 men and leave tonight to go after David. 2I’ll attack him while he’s tired and weak, and I’ll cause him to panic. All the people with him will flee, but I’ll kill only him. I’ll return all the people to you as a bride is returned to her husband. Since you will be seeking the life of only one man, all the people will have peace.” 4Absalom and all the leaders of Israel approved this plan. 5Absalom said, “Please call Hushai, who is descended from Archi’s family, and let us hear what he, too, 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 3:21Abner told David, “I must go now so that I can gather all Israel for you, Your Majesty. They will make a treaty with you, and you will rule everything your heart desires.” Then David dismissed Abner, who left peacefully.
- Isaiah 48:22“There is no peace for the wicked,” says the Lord.
- Isaiah 57:21“There is no peace for the wicked,” says my God.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:3When people say, “Everything is safe and sound!” destruction will suddenly strike them. It will be as sudden as labor pains come to a pregnant woman. They won’t be able to 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
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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