New Living Translation
2 Samuel 17:3
3and 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.”
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
1Now Ahithophel urged Absalom, “Let me choose 12,000 men to start out after David tonight. 2I will catch up with him while he is weary and discouraged. He and his troops will panic, and everyone will run away. Then I will kill only the king, 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.” 4This plan seemed good to Absalom and to all the elders of Israel. 5But then Absalom said, “Bring in Hushai the Arkite. Let’s see what he thinks about this.”
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 3:21Then Abner said to David, “Let me go and call an assembly of all Israel to support my lord the king. They will make a covenant with you to make you their king, and you will rule over everything your heart desires.” So David sent Abner safely on his way.
- Isaiah 48:22“But there is no peace for the wicked,” says the Lord.
- Isaiah 57:21There is no peace for the wicked,” says my God.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:3When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no 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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