2 Samuel 17:2

Verse

I will attack him while he is weak and weary; I will throw him into a panic, and all the people with him will flee; I will strike down only the king

American Standard Version (1901)

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;

Bible in Basic English

And I will come up with him when he is tired and feeble, and make him full of fear: and all the people with him will go in flight; and I will make an attack on the king only:

Douay-Rheims 1899

And coming upon him (for he is now weary, and weak handed) I will defeat him: and when all the people is put to flight that is with him, I will kill the king who will be left alone.

Free Bible Version

I'll attack him while he is tired and weak. I'll catch him by surprise and all his men will run away. I'll only kill the king

Geneva Bible 1599

And I will come vpon him: for he is wearie, and weake handed: so I will feare him, and all the people that are with him, shall flee, and I will smite the King onely,

King James (Authorized) Version

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:

Translation for Translators

We will attack him while he is tired and discouraged, and cause him to be very frightened. All the soldiers who are with him will run away. We will kill only the king.

Unlocked Literal Bible

I will come on him while he is weary and weak and will surprise him with fear. The people who are with him will flee, and I will attack only the king.

Noah Webster Bible

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:

World English Bible

I will come on him while he is weary and exhausted, and will make him afraid. All the people who are with him will flee. I will strike the king only,

Young's Literal Translation

and come upon him, and he weary and feeble-handed, and I have caused him to tremble, and all the people have fled who [are] with him, and I have smitten the king by himself,

Context

Hushai Counters Ahithophel’s Advice

¹Furthermore, Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Let me choose twelve thousand men and set out tonight in pursuit of David.²I will attack him while he is weak and weary; I will throw him into a panic, and all the people with him will flee; I will strike down only the king ³and bring all the people back to you as a bride returning to her husband. You seek the life of only one man; then all the people will be at peace.”

Summary

In this verse, the advisor Hushai suggests a plan to King David to gather a large army to pursue Absalom, his rebellious son. Hushai's strategy aims to strike fear into Absalom's heart by implying a fierce and relentless pursuit, causing him to panic and make hasty decisions. This commentary showcases the political intrigue and military tactics employed during this tumultuous time in Israel's history, revealing the complexities of loyalty and betrayal within the royal family. Ultimately, it underscores the consequences of rebellion and the importance of wise counsel in times of crisis.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

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.