2 Samuel 17:1-4 ESV

Geneva Study Bible - 2 Samuel 17:1

17:1 Moreover Ahithophel said unto Absalom, {a} Let me now choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night:(a) The wicked are so greedy to execute their malice, that they leave no opportunity that may further the same. read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - 2 Samuel 17:3

17:3 And I will bring back all the people unto thee: {b} the man whom thou seekest [is] as if all returned: [so] all the people shall be in peace.(b) Meaning David. read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 17:1-29

Ahithophel discerned clearly that if Absalom was to gain any victory over David he must strike quickly. Satan knows that the only way to establish the anti-christ in power is to destroy the true Christ. So Ahithophel urges that he be allowed to take with him 12,000 men (in contrast to the few hundred who had gone with David) and immediately the same night pursue David. He well reasons that such an attack would scatter David's men and leave David unprotected, so that they could kill him alone.... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 17:1-29

O, ABSALOM , MY SON , MY SON ! LUST, MURDER AND DECEIT (2 Samuel 13:0 ) In the preceding lesson judgments were foretold as coming on David, and we are entering on that part of his career when the prediction is fulfilled in earnest. The foulness of this chapter we would not dwell upon more than we can help. Tamar of course, while sister to Absalom, was half-sister to Amnon, the two young men being sons of David by different wives. “A garment of divers colours” (2 Samuel 13:18 ) might be... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - 2 Samuel 17:1-29

Pine Traits In the Character of David 2 Samuel 17-19 IT will have been observed that we have not spared king David in our judgment of the evil which he wrought in Israel. We have been careful to mete out to him the full penalty, so that the scoffer should have no advantage over the Christian in condemning the iniquity of the king. We ourselves have trembled under the thunders of the judgment which has been pronounced upon him. Sometimes as the hot sentences fell we almost cried out, Spare the... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - 2 Samuel 17:2

"Handfuls of Purpose" For All Gleaners "I will come upon him while he is weary and weak handed" 2 Samuel 17:2 . Such was the policy of Ahitophel. Bad men always reveal themselves at some point of their tortuous and ignoble policy. It may be only a stray sentence, but the revelation is not the less vivid and complete. See how nobly this bad man reasoned! He said he would come upon David when David was weary and weak handed. Knavery can never be noble-minded. Bad men can never rise beyond... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - 2 Samuel 17:1

CONTENTS The history of Absalom's rebellion, and David's difficulties in consequence thereof, is prosecuted through this chapter. Ahithophel's counsel being rejected by Absalom, and Hushai's accepted, Ahithephel hangeth himself. David receiveth secret intelligence how to act. read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - 2 Samuel 17:1-4

(1) ¶ Moreover Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Let me now choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night: (2) And I will come upon him while he is weary and weak handed, and will make him afraid: and all the people that are with him shall flee; and I will smite the king only: (3) 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. (4) And the saying pleased Absalom well, and all... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 17:1

This night. Achitophel has a mind to shew that he is not only an able statesman, but a good general. (Haydock) --- On such occasions, expedition is of the utmost consequence, that the people may not have time to enter into themselves, or to concentrate about their lawful king. "Nothing is more delightful than haste in civil discord, where action is more requisite than consultation." By delays, "he would give the wicked an opportunity to repent, and the good would unite together. Crimes are... read more