2 Samuel 17:1-4 ESV

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 17:3

One man. They will return with such unanimity, when their leader is cut off. (Menochius) --- David was the one man whom his son desired to kill, as the latter was the only one whom David ordered to be spared, chap. xviii. 5. (Haydock) --- Hebrew seems rather transposed: "I will bring back all the people to thee, as all the people, whom thou seekest, are returned; and all the people shall be in peace:" or, ... "when all those, whom thou desirest, shall be returned, &c. (Calmet) ---... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 17:1-21

1-21 Here was a wonderful effect of Divine Providence blinding Absalom's mind and influencing his heart, that he could not rest in Ahithophel's counsel, and that he should desire Hushai's advice. But there is no contending with that God who can arm a man against himself, and destroy him by his own mistakes and passions. Ahithophel's former counsel was followed, for God intended to correct David; but his latter counsel was not followed, for God meant not to destroy him. He can overrule all... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - 2 Samuel 17:1-14

Hushai's Counsel Accepted v. 1. Moreover, Ahithophel, whose filthy counsel Absalom had just followed, said unto Absalom, let me now choose out twelve thousand men, a thousand for each of the twelve tribes, and I will arise and pursue after David this night, the very night after his flight; v. 2. and I will come upon him while he is weary and weak-handed, the hand being the symbol of strength, and will make him afraid, cause terror to fall upon him; and all the people that are with him... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - 2 Samuel 17:1-23

2. Absalom in Jerusalem. His Evil Deed through Ahithophel’s Evil Counsel. The Designs of the Latter against David thwarted by Hushai’s Counsel2 Samuel 16:15 to 2 Samuel 17:2315And Absalom and all the people the men of Israel4 came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him. 16And it came to pass, when Hushai the Archite [Arkite] David’s friend5 was come unto Absalom, that Hushai said unto Absalom, God save [Long live] the king, God save [Long live] the king. 17And Absalom said to Hushai, Is this thy... read more

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - 2 Samuel 17:1-14

Tripped by Flattering Counsel 2 Samuel 17:1-14 What a contrast to the plottings of David’s foes was his own state of mind, as disclosed in Psalms 3:1-8 ; Psalms 4:1-8 , written at this time! At Jerusalem they were taking counsel against him. Ahithophel describes the deposed king as weary and weak-handed, and shows how easily he may be smitten. Hushai pictures him as chafed and savage. The messengers are hastened on their way, lest he should be swallowed up. But David betakes himself to God.... read more

G. Campbell Morgan

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 17:1-29

Ahithophel counseled immediate war-like activity. As David had not gone far, and could not have gathered round him any large number of men, let a company be sent to capture him, and that immediately. Judging from the human standpoint, had Absalom followed this advice, his rebellion might have been successful. But it is never safe to judge from the human standpoint, or to reckon without God. Absalom turned to Hushai, who counseled delay and gathering a large army. Hushai's counsel was intended... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 17:1-14

Hushai The Archite Counters The Advice Of Ahithophel (2 Samuel 17:1-14 ). We are now to learn the wisdom of David, and of YHWH (2 Samuel 17:14), in sending Hushai the Archite to combat and counter the wisdom of Ahithophel. Ahithophel’s advice might be almost parallel to that of the oracle of God, but YHWH’s wisdom was seen to be even greater, with the result that He overturned the counsel of Ahithophel. Ahithophel’s advice was that he himself should immediately gather a fairly small but... read more

Arthur Peake

Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 17:1-14

2 Samuel 17:1-2 Chronicles : . Ahithophel advises the instant pursuit and capture of David. “ I,” he says, “ will bring back all the people unto thee, as a bride returns to her husband; thou seekest the life of only one man, there shall be peace for all the people” ; read 2 Samuel 17:3 thus with LXX. Hushai advised delay, till an overwhelming force could be gathered which would overcome any possible resistance. Yahweh makes Absalom follow Hushai’ s counsel, to his own ruin. read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - 2 Samuel 17:1

I am so well assured of the goodness of this counsel, that I will venture my own person and life in execution of it. read more