2 Samuel 17:1-4 ESV

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 2 Samuel 17:1

PREPARATIONS FOR THE ULTIMATE AND DECISIVE BATTLEThis chapter recounts the maneuvers both of Absalom and his partisans and that of David and his supporters as they got ready for the final resolution of the conflict initiated by Absalom's attempt to seize the throne of Israel. There was no device by which a conflict of this nature could have been resolved without bloodshed.AHITHOPHEL'S COUNSEL TO STRIKE AT ONCE"Moreover Ahithophel said to Absalom, "Let me choose twelve thousand men, and I will... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 2 Samuel 17:1

2 Samuel 17:1. Moreover, Ahithophel said unto Absalom— Ahithophel, aware of the advantages of dispatch, advised an immediate pursuit of David, without suffering him to breathe from the fatigues that he had just gone through; and his advice well justifies the character given of him in the Scripture. It was in its several parts admirably fitted both to the inclinations and the interest of his pupil. He consigned him to his pleasures, ch. 2Sa 16:22 and took all the danger to himself; and at the... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 2 Samuel 17:3

2 Samuel 17:3. The man whom thou seekest is as if all returned— That is, David being destroyed, the main business is performed; he is, as it were, the life of the whole body, and when he is taken off, the rest will of course return and submit themselves. Houbigant renders this verse, and I will cause all the people to return unto thee, as a spouse returneth to her husband; and then all things shall be at peace with the people: in which he nearly follows the LXX. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 17:1

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 objects, prepared to go, that the parricidal counsel "pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 17:1-29

The Fall of AhithophelAbsalom follows the advice of Hushai rather than that of Ahithophel, who thereupon hangs himself. David retreats to Mahanaim.3. The death of David would put an end to all resistance, and bring about peace. 7. At this time] RV ’this time.’ Hushai contrasts this suggestion of Ahithophel with his former advice (2 Samuel 16:21), which was good. 8. A man of war] Ahithophel’s advice, though plausible, was not sound. David was too experienced a warrior to be caught unprepared.16.... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 2 Samuel 17:1

XVII.(1) Pursue after David this night.—Ahithophel saw clearly that Absalom’s success depended on striking an immediate blow. He felt confident, and perhaps with reason, that David in his distress and weariness was in no condition to resist a sudden onset. That he was wise in his counsel is made plain by the opposition of Hushai and the anxiety to send tidings to David with all speed. “This night” is generally taken to mean the night of the day on which David left Jerusalem; but from 2 Samuel... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 2 Samuel 17:2

(2) Will make him afraid.—This translation is hardly strong enough. The thought is that Ahithophel will throw his band into a panic by a sudden night attack, and in the confusion will easily secure the person of the king. read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 2 Samuel 17:3

(3) Bring back all the people.—This evil counsellor, with artful flattery, assumes that Absalom is the rightful king, and that the people who have gone off after David only need to be brought back to their allegiance. read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 17:1-14

3CHAPTER XXII.ABSALOM IN COUNCIL.2 Samuel 16:15-23; 2 Samuel 17:1-14; 2 Samuel 17:23.WE must now return to Jerusalem, and trace the course of events there on that memorable day when David left it, to flee toward the wilderness, just a few hours before Absalom entered it from Hebron. When Absalom came to the city, there was no trace of an enemy to oppose him. His supporters in Jerusalem would no doubt go out to meet him, and conduct him to the palace with great demonstrations of delight. Eastern... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - 2 Samuel 17:1-29

7. Absalom, Ahitophel, and Hushai CHAPTER 17 1. The counsel of Ahitophel and Hushai (2 Samuel 17:1-14 ) 2. The counsel made known to David (2 Samuel 17:15-22 ) 3. Ahitophel commits suicide (2 Samuel 17:23 ) 4. Absalom pitched in Gilead (2 Samuel 17:24-26 ) 5. The kindness of Shobi, Machir and Barzillai (2 Samuel 17:27-29 ) Ahitophel’s counsel was aimed at the person of David only. He wanted to have him killed and thus by the death of the one man bring all Israel back. But Ahitophel... read more

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 2 Samuel 17:1

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 2 Samuel 17:1

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 2 Samuel 17:3

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 17:1

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 17:1-29

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 2 Samuel 17:1

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 2 Samuel 17:2

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 2 Samuel 17:3

Expositor's Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 17:1-14

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - 2 Samuel 17:1-29

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