2 Samuel 17:3-4

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 17:1-14

Absalom is now in peaceable possession of Jerusalem; the palace-royal is his own, as are the thrones of judgment, even the thrones of the house of David. His good father reigned in Hebron, and only over the tribe of Judah, above seven years, and was not hasty to destroy his rival; his government was built upon a divine promise, the performance of which he was sure of in due time, and therefore he waited patiently in the mean time. But the young man, Absalom, not only hastens from Hebron to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 17:3

And I will bring back all the people unto thee ,.... Meaning not the people only that were with David, that he would make them prisoners, and bring them with him; for he before proposed to let them make their escape; but to reduce all Israel to the obedience of Absalom at once, by executing this scheme which he had formed: the man whom thou seekest is as if all returned ; meaning David, whom he speaks of contemptibly, and whose life it seems Absalom sought, as well as his crown; and he... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 17:4

And the saying pleased Absalom well, and all elders of Israel. That were of the privy council; for it was a well contrived scheme to surprise David his men by night, in the condition they were in; nothing like seizing an opportunity, and making quick dispatch in executing a villainous design; only it is strange that Absalom could so easily come into a scheme to take away the life of so indulgent a father, which is only to be accounted for by his ambition; but it is stranger still that the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 17:3

The 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 more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 17:1-14

Conflicting counsels. The facts are: 1 . Ahithophel, in advising Absalom, suggests that he himself should fall upon David by night, when weary, with twelve thousand select men, and urges that by so doing a final blow will be so struck as to secure the fealty of all Israel. 2 . The suggestion is pleasing to Absalom, but he, before deciding, wishes to have the counsel of Hushai. 3 . On being called to give counsel, Hushai expresses distrust of the counsel of Ahithophel, and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 17:1-14

( JERUSALEM .) The council chamber of Absalom. "And Jehovah had appointed," etc. ( 2 Samuel 17:14 ). The success of the rebellion seemed well nigh complete. Absalom occupied the capital; was proclaimed by "all Israel;" supported by the wisest statesman, and, apparently, by "the king's friend" and the high priests; held his council ( 2 Samuel 16:20 ); and took possession of the harem, "the first decided act of sovereignty" (subsequently he was also solemnly anointed, 2 Samuel 19:10... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 17:3

The man whom thou seekest is as if all returned; Hebrew, as the return of the whole is the man whom thou seekest . Both the amendments of the text and the various translations offered are innumerable, but nothing is really more satisfactory than the literal rendering of the words, virtually given us in the Authorized Version. Naturally, Ahithophel did not wish to parade David's death too openly. In his heart Absalom must have known that the safe possession of the kingdom could be assured... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 17:4

All the elders of Israel. Their presence seems to show that Absalom professed to act in an orderly and constitutional manner, and with the advice of those in authority. It was possibly this wish to keep up appearances which made him command Hushai to be summoned, as he was one whose advice would certainly have been asked had matters gone on in their ordinary channel. So again in 2 Samuel 17:14 , 2 Samuel 17:15 , Absalom acts only with the popular consent. Very probably the royal power... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 17:3

The 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 more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 17:2-3

2 Samuel 17:2-3. I will come upon him while he is weary Before he has had time to breathe from the fatigues he has just gone through; and weak- handed Before he has collected more forces. I will make him afraid Strike a terror into him by this sudden attack, made in the night, when he is ill-provided. I will smite the king only And proclaim pardon to all the rest. And I will bring back all the people By this means I shall easily bring over their allegiance to thee. The man whom... read more

Group of Brands