New English Translation
2 Samuel 17:3
3and will bring the entire army back to you. In exchange for the life of the man you are seeking, you will get back everyone. The entire army will return unharmed.”
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 pick out twelve thousand men. Then I will go and pursue David this very night. 2When I catch up with him he will be exhausted and worn out. I will rout him, and the entire army that is with him will flee. I will kill only the king and will bring the entire army back to you. In exchange for the life of the man you are seeking, you will get back everyone. The entire army will return unharmed.” 4This seemed like a good idea to Absalom and to all the leaders of Israel. 5But Absalom said, “Call for Hushai the Arkite, and let’s 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 3:21Abner said to David, “Let me leave so that I may go and gather all Israel to my lord the king so that they may make an agreement with you. Then you will rule over all that you desire.” So David sent Abner away, and he left in peace.
- Isaiah 48:22There will be no prosperity for the wicked,” says the Lord.
- Isaiah 57:21There will be no prosperity,” says my God, “for the wicked.”
- 1 Thessalonians 5:3Now when they are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction comes on them, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will surely 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
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