New Living Translation
2 Samuel 17:11
11“I recommend that you mobilize the entire army of Israel, bringing them from as far away as Dan in the north and Beersheba in the south. That way you will have an army as numerous as the sand on the seashore. And I advise that you personally lead the troops.
2 Samuel 17:11 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Therefore I counsel that all Israel be generally gathered unto thee, from Dan even to Beer–sheba, as the sand that is by the sea for multitude; and that thou go to battle in thine own person.
- New International Version (NIV)“So I advise you: Let all Israel, from Dan to Beersheba—as numerous as the sand on the seashore—be gathered to you, with you yourself leading them into battle.
- English Standard Version (ESV)But my counsel is that all Israel be gathered to you, from Dan to Beersheba, as the sand by the sea for multitude, and that you go to battle in person.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Therefore I advise that all Israel be fully gathered to you, from Dan to Beersheba, like the sand that is by the sea for multitude, and that you go to battle in person.
Context of 2 Samuel 17:11
9He has probably already hidden in some pit or cave. And when he comes out and attacks and a few of your men fall, there will be panic among your troops, and the word will spread that Absalom’s men are being slaughtered. 10Then even the bravest soldiers, though they have the heart of a lion, will be paralyzed with fear. For all Israel knows what a mighty warrior your father is and how courageous his men are. “I recommend that you mobilize the entire army of Israel, bringing them from as far away as Dan in the north and Beersheba in the south. That way you will have an army as numerous as the sand on the seashore. And I advise that you personally lead the troops. 12When we find David, we’ll fall on him like dew that falls on the ground. Then neither he nor any of his men will be left alive. 13And if David were to escape into some town, you will have all Israel there at your command. Then we can take ropes and drag the walls of the town into the nearest valley until every stone is torn down.”
Read all of 2 Samuel 172 Samuel 17:11 word by word
כִּ֣י יָעַ֗צְתִּי הֵ֠אָסֹף יֵאָסֵ֨ף עָלֶ֤יךָ כָל־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ מִדָּן֙ וְעַד־בְּאֵ֣ר שֶׁ֔בַע כַּח֥וֹל אֲשֶׁר־עַל־הַיָּ֖ם לָרֹ֑ב וּפָנֶ֥יךָ הֹלְכִ֖ים בַּקְרָֽב׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Therefore I counselיָעַץyâ‛ats · to adviseH3289
- that all Israelיִשְׂרָאֵלyiώrâ'êl · IsraelH3478
- be generallyאָסַף'âsaph · to gatherH622
- unto thee, from Danדָּןdân · DanH1835
- even to Beer–shebaבְּאֵר שֶׁ֫בַעbe'êr sheba‛ · BeershebaH884
- as the sandחוֹלchôl · sandH2344
- by the seaיָםyâm · seaH3220
- for multitudeרֹבrôb · abundanceH7230
- and that thou goהָלַךְhâlak · to go: wentH1980
- to battleקְרָבqerâb · battleH7128
- in thine own personפָּנֶהpânîym · face ofH6440
Cross-references for 2 Samuel 17:11
- 2 Samuel 24:2So the king said to Joab and the commanders of the army, “Take a census of all the tribes of Israel—from Dan in the north to Beersheba in the south—so I may know how many people there are.”
- Judges 20:1Then all the Israelites were united as one man, from Dan in the north to Beersheba in the south, including those from across the Jordan in the land of Gilead. The entire community assembled in the presence of the Lord at Mizpah.
- Genesis 13:16And I will give you so many descendants that, like the dust of the earth, they cannot be counted!
- Genesis 22:17I will certainly bless you. I will multiply your descendants beyond number, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will conquer the cities of their enemies.
- Joshua 11:4All these kings came out to fight. Their combined armies formed a vast horde. And with all their horses and chariots, they covered the landscape like the sand on the seashore.
- 1 Kings 4:20The people of Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand on the seashore. They were very contented, with plenty to eat and drink.
- 1 Kings 20:10Then Ben-hadad sent this message to Ahab: “May the gods strike me and even kill me if there remains enough dust from Samaria to provide even a handful for each of my soldiers.”
- 2 Samuel 12:28Now bring the rest of the army and capture the city. Otherwise, I will capture it and get credit for the victory.”
- Psalms 7:15They dig a deep pit to trap others, then fall into it themselves.
- Psalms 9:16The Lord is known for his justice. The wicked are trapped by their own deeds. Quiet Interlude
Commentaries on 2 Samuel 17:11
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 11The nationwide military draft from Dan to Beersheba (the northern and southern limits of Israel) aimed to create a much stronger army.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 17:11
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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