2 Samuel 17:26
2 Samuel 17:26 in Multiple Translations
So the Israelites and Absalom camped in the land of Gilead.
So Israel and Absalom pitched in the land of Gilead.
And Israel and Absalom encamped in the land of Gilead.
And Israel and Absalom put up their tents in the land of Gilead.
The Israelites under Absalom set up camp in the land of Gilead.
So Israel and Absalom pitched in the land of Gilead.
and Israel encampeth with Absalom [in] the land of Gilead.
Israel and Absalom encamped in the land of Gilead.
So Israel and Absalom encamped in the land of Gilead.
And Israel camped with Absalom in the land of Galaad.
Absalom and his Israeli soldiers set up their tents in the Gilead region.
Berean Amplified Bible — 2 Samuel 17:26
BAB
Word Study
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Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
2 Samuel 17:26 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יִּ֤חַן
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
וְ/אַבְשָׁלֹ֔ם
אֶ֖רֶץ
הַ/גִּלְעָֽד
וַ/יִּ֤חַן
chânâh
H2583
to camp
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
Israel
N-proper
וְ/אַבְשָׁלֹ֔ם
ʼĂbîyshâlôwm
H53
Absalom
Conj | N-proper
אֶ֖רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
land
N-cs
הַ/גִּלְעָֽד
Gilʻâd
H1568
Gilead
Art | N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 2 Samuel 17:26
וַ/יִּ֤חַן
chânâh
H2583
"to camp"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew verb means to set up camp or pitch a tent, like when the Israelites encamped in the wilderness. It can also mean to lay siege against a city.
Definition: 1) to decline, incline, encamp, bend down, lay siege against 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to decline 1a2) to encamp
Usage: Occurs in 135 OT verses. KJV: abide (in tents), camp, dwell, encamp, grow to an end, lie, pitch (tent), rest in tent. See also: Genesis 26:17; Numbers 33:33; Psalms 27:3.
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
"Israel"
N-proper
Israel is the symbolic name of Jacob, also referring to his descendants. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, had 12 sons who became the tribes of Israel, as told in Genesis 25:26. His story is crucial to the Bible's narrative.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently § Israel = "God prevails" 1) the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel 2) the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob 2a) the name of the nation until the death of Solomon and the split 2b) the name used and given to the northern kingdom consisting of the 10 tribes under Jeroboam; the southern kingdom was known as Judah 2c) the name of the nation after the return from exile
Usage: Occurs in 2231 OT verses. KJV: Israel. See also: Genesis 32:29; Exodus 13:18; Exodus 40:38.
וְ/אַבְשָׁלֹ֔ם
ʼĂbîyshâlôwm
H53
"Absalom"
Conj | N-proper
Absalom was a son of King David, mentioned in 2 Samuel 3:3, and had several half-brothers. He is also referred to as Abishalom in some translations. Absalom played a significant role in the United Monarchy period.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Judah living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.3.3; son of: David (H1732) and Maacah (H4601I); half-brother of: Amnon (H0550), Chileab (H3609), Adonijah (H0138), Shephatiah (H8203), Ithream (H3507), Shammua (H8051H), Shobab (H7727), Nathan (H5416), Solomon (H8010), Ibhar (H2984), Elishua (H0474), Nepheg (H5298H), Japhia (H3309I), Elishama (H0476H), Eliada (H0450), Eliphelet (H0467), Tamar (H8559H), Elpelet (H0467I), Nogah (H5052) and Jerimoth (H3406N); father of: Tamar (H8559I); also called Abishalom at 1Ki.15.2,10; § Absalom or Abishalom = "my father is peace" 1) father-in-law of Rehoboam 2) third son of David, killer of first-born son Amnon, also leader of revolt against his father-David
Usage: Occurs in 92 OT verses. KJV: Abishalom, Absalom. See also: 2 Samuel 3:3; 2 Samuel 16:16; Psalms 3:1.
אֶ֖רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
"land"
N-cs
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.
הַ/גִּלְעָֽד
Gilʻâd
H1568
"Gilead"
Art | N-proper
Gilead refers to a mountainous region east of the Jordan River, also the name of three Israelites. It means 'rocky region' and is sometimes called 'Mount Gilead'.
Definition: Gilead = "rocky region" a mountainous region bounded on the west by the Jordan, on the north by Bashan, on the east by the Arabian plateau, and on the south by Moab and Ammon; sometimes called 'Mount Gilead' or the 'land of Gilead' or just 'Gilead'. Divided into north and south Gilead
Usage: Occurs in 123 OT verses. KJV: Gilead, Gileadite. See also: Genesis 31:21; 1 Samuel 11:9; Psalms 60:9.
Study Notes — 2 Samuel 17:26
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Hushai’s Warning Saves David
24Then David went to Mahanaim, and Absalom crossed the Jordan with all the men of Israel.
25Absalom had appointed Amasa over the army in place of Joab. Amasa was the son of a man named Ithra, the Ishmaelite who had married Abigail, the daughter of Nahash and sister of Zeruiah the mother of Joab.
26So the Israelites and Absalom camped in the land of Gilead.
27When David came to Mahanaim, he was met by Shobi son of Nahash from Rabbah of the Ammonites, Machir son of Ammiel from Lo-debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim. 28They brought beds, basins, and earthen vessels, as well as wheat, barley, flour, roasted grain, beans, lentils,Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joshua 17:1 | Now this was the allotment for the tribe of Manasseh as Joseph’s firstborn son, namely for Machir the firstborn of Manasseh and father of the Gileadites, who had received Gilead and Bashan because Machir was a man of war. |
| 2 | Deuteronomy 3:15 | To Machir I gave Gilead, |
| 3 | Numbers 32:1–42 | Now the Reubenites and Gadites, who had very large herds and flocks, surveyed the lands of Jazer and Gilead, and they saw that the region was suitable for livestock. So the Gadites and Reubenites came to Moses, Eleazar the priest, and the leaders of the congregation, and said, “Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Sebam, Nebo, and Beon, which the LORD conquered before the congregation of Israel, are suitable for livestock—and your servants have livestock.” “If we have found favor in your sight,” they said, “let this land be given to your servants as a possession. Do not make us cross the Jordan.” But Moses asked the Gadites and Reubenites, “Shall your brothers go to war while you sit here? Why are you discouraging the Israelites from crossing into the land that the LORD has given them? This is what your fathers did when I sent them from Kadesh-barnea to inspect the land. For when your fathers went up to the Valley of Eshcol and saw the land, they discouraged the Israelites from entering the land that the LORD had given them. So the anger of the LORD was kindled that day, and He swore an oath, saying, ‘Because they did not follow Me wholeheartedly, not one of the men twenty years of age or older who came out of Egypt will see the land that I swore to give Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob— not one except Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite and Joshua son of Nun—because they did follow the LORD wholeheartedly.’ The anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He made them wander in the wilderness forty years, until the whole generation who had done evil in His sight was gone. Now behold, you, a brood of sinners, have risen up in place of your fathers to further stoke the burning anger of the LORD against Israel. For if you turn away from following Him, He will once again leave this people in the wilderness, and you will be the cause of their destruction.” Then the Gadites and Reubenites approached Moses and said, “We want to build sheepfolds here for our livestock and cities for our little ones. But we will arm ourselves and be ready to go ahead of the Israelites until we have brought them into their place. Meanwhile, our little ones will remain in the fortified cities for protection from the inhabitants of the land. We will not return to our homes until every Israelite has taken possession of his inheritance. Yet we will not have an inheritance with them across the Jordan and beyond, because our inheritance has come to us on the east side of the Jordan.” Moses replied, “If you will do this—if you will arm yourselves before the LORD for battle, and if every one of your armed men crosses the Jordan before the LORD, until He has driven His enemies out before Him, then when the land is subdued before the LORD, you may return and be free of obligation to the LORD and to Israel. And this land will belong to you as a possession before the LORD. But if you do not do this, you will certainly sin against the LORD—and be assured that your sin will find you out. Build cities for your little ones and folds for your flocks, but do what you have promised.” The Gadites and Reubenites said to Moses, “Your servants will do just as our lord commands. Our children, our wives, our livestock, and all our animals will remain here in the cities of Gilead. But your servants are equipped for war, and every man will cross over to the battle before the LORD, just as our lord says.” So Moses gave orders about them to Eleazar the priest, to Joshua son of Nun, and to the family leaders of the tribes of Israel. And Moses said to them, “If the Gadites and Reubenites cross the Jordan with you, with every man armed for battle before the LORD, and the land is subdued before you, then you are to give them the land of Gilead as a possession. But if they do not arm themselves and go across with you, then they must accept their possession among you in the land of Canaan.” The Gadites and Reubenites replied, “As the LORD has spoken to your servants, so we will do. We will cross over into the land of Canaan armed before the LORD, that we may have our inheritance on this side of the Jordan.” So Moses gave to the Gadites, to the Reubenites, and to the half-tribe of Manasseh son of Joseph the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites and the kingdom of Og king of Bashan—the land including its cities and the territory surrounding them. And the Gadites built up Dibon, Ataroth, Aroer, Atroth-shophan, Jazer, Jogbehah, Beth-nimrah, and Beth-haran as fortified cities, and they built folds for their flocks. The Reubenites built up Heshbon, Elealeh, Kiriathaim, as well as Nebo and Baal-meon (whose names were changed), and Sibmah. And they renamed the cities they rebuilt. The descendants of Machir son of Manasseh went to Gilead, captured it, and drove out the Amorites who were there. So Moses gave Gilead to the clan of Machir son of Manasseh, and they settled there. Jair, a descendant of Manasseh, went and captured their villages and called them Havvoth-jair. And Nobah went and captured Kenath and its villages and called it Nobah, after his own name. |
2 Samuel 17:26 Summary
This verse, 2 Samuel 17:26, tells us that Absalom and the Israelites set up camp in the land of Gilead, which was a region east of the Jordan River. This was a strategic location that allowed them to regroup and prepare for battle, as seen in other biblical accounts such as Judges 11:29. Just like the Israelites, we often find ourselves in places of uncertainty and transition, but we can trust in God's sovereignty and provision, just as David did in Psalm 23:4. As we navigate our own 'lands of Gilead', we can remember that God is our refuge and our rock, and that He will guide us and provide for us, even in the midst of turmoil, as promised in Psalm 46:1-3.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Absalom and the Israelites camp in the land of Gilead?
According to 2 Samuel 17:26, Absalom and the Israelites camped in the land of Gilead, likely because it was a strategic location that allowed them to regroup and prepare for battle, as seen in other biblical accounts of armies gathering in this region, such as in Judges 11:29 and 1 Samuel 13:7.
What is the significance of the land of Gilead in the Bible?
The land of Gilead is mentioned in several biblical passages, including Genesis 31:21 and Numbers 32:1, as a region east of the Jordan River, and its significance lies in its role as a border territory and a place of refuge, as seen in the story of David's flight from Absalom in 2 Samuel 17:22-24.
How does this verse relate to the larger story of David and Absalom?
This verse is part of the narrative of David's flight from Absalom, as described in 2 Samuel 15:13-17:29, and it highlights the progression of Absalom's rebellion against his father, as well as David's efforts to escape and ultimately reclaim his throne, as seen in the prophecies of restoration in 2 Samuel 16:11-12 and Psalm 3:1-8.
What can we learn from the Israelites' decision to follow Absalom?
The Israelites' decision to follow Absalom, as described in 2 Samuel 17:26, serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of following human leaders who oppose God's anointed, as seen in the warnings of 1 Samuel 8:7 and Psalm 118:8-9, and the importance of remaining faithful to God's appointed leaders, as emphasized in Romans 13:1-7.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which I may be following 'Absalom' in my own life, rather than remaining faithful to God's appointed leaders and plans?
- How can I, like David, trust in God's sovereignty and provision, even in the midst of uncertainty and rebellion?
- What are some 'lands of Gilead' in my life where I can find refuge and rest in the midst of turmoil, and how can I cultivate a deeper trust in God's presence and care in those places?
- In what ways am I being called to 'camp' in the land of Gilead, to wait on God and trust in His timing, rather than rushing ahead with my own plans and agendas?
Gill's Exposition on 2 Samuel 17:26
So Israel and Absalom pitched in the land of Gilead. Which belonged to the tribes of Reuben and Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh; here the Israelites that were with Absalom encamped, in order to
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Samuel 17:26
So Israel and Absalom pitched in the land of Gilead. No JFB commentary on this verse.
Trapp's Commentary on 2 Samuel 17:26
2 Samuel 17:26 So Israel and Absalom pitched in the land of Gilead.Ver. 26. Pitched in the land of Gilead.] Near Mahanaim, that they might keep in and contrain David, or draw him out to fight them.
Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Samuel 17:26
(26) Pitched in the land of Gilead.—Gilead is the tract of country on the east of the Jordan, extending from the land of Moab on the south to Bashan on the north, the valley of the Hieromax forming probably its northern boundary. The site of Mahanaim has not been identified, but it was almost certainly within the territory of Gilead. Absalom, however, did not actually reach Mahanaim before he met and was defeated by the forces of David.
Sermons on 2 Samuel 17:26
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Who Not to Follow by E.A. Adeboye | E.A. Adeboye emphasizes the importance of carefully choosing our associations to enter the promised rest of God, warning against following the counsel of the ungodly and sinful way |