2 Samuel 17:2

2 I will come upon him while he is ¹weary and discouraged and throw him into a panic, and all the people who are with him will flee. ²I will strike down only the king,

2 Samuel 17:2 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 17:2

And I will come upon him while he [is] weary
With travelling, and with grief, and when endeavouring to get some rest by sleep, and so surprise him unawares, when not on his guard, and in no posture of defence:

and weak handed;
while the number of men with him is small, and before the people from different parts can come to his assistance:

and will make him afraid;
strike terror into him and his then, by surprising them suddenly in the night with such a number of men:

and all the people that [are] with him shall flee;
one one way, and another another, for their own security, and leave David alone:

and I will smite the king only;
dispatch him, and let the people flee without pursuing them.

2 Samuel 17:2 In-Context

1 Moreover, Ahithophel said to Absalom, "Let me choose twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue David tonight.

2 I will come upon him while he is weary and discouraged and throw him into a panic, and all the people who are with him will flee. I will strike down only the king,

3 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."

4 And the advice seemed right in the eyes of Absalom and all the elders of Israel.

5 Then Absalom said, "Call Hushai the Archite also, and let us hear what he has to say."

Cross References

• 1. 2 Samuel 16:14; [Deuteronomy 25:18]
• 2. [1 Kings 22:31]