2 Samuel 17:7

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

Hushai replied, “This time the advice of Ahithophel is not sound.”

American Standard Version (1901)

And Hushai said unto Absalom, The counsel that Ahithophel hath given this time is not good.

Bible in Basic English

And Hushai said to Absalom, Ahithophel's idea is not a good one at this time.

Douay-Rheims 1899

And Chusai said to Absalom: The counsel that Achitophel hath given this time is not good.

Free Bible Version

“For once Ahithophel's advice isn't good,” Hushai replied.

Geneva Bible 1599

Hushai then answered vnto Absalom, The counsel that Ahithophel hath giuen, is not good at this time.

King James (Authorized) Version

And Hushai said unto Absalom, The counsel that Ahithophel hath given is not good at this time.

Translation for Translators

Hushai replied, “This time what Ahithophel has suggested is not good advice.

Unlocked Literal Bible

So Hushai said to Absalom, “The advice that Ahithophel has given this time is not good.”

Noah Webster Bible

And Hushai said to Absalom, The counsel that Ahithophel hath given, is not good at this time.

World English Bible

Hushai said to Absalom, “The counsel that Ahithophel has given this time is not good.”

Young's Literal Translation

And Hushai saith unto Absalom, 'Not good [is] the counsel that Ahithophel hath counselled at this time.'

Context

Hushai Counters Ahithophel’s Advice

⁶So Hushai came to Absalom, who told him, “Ahithophel has spoken this proposal. Should we carry it out? If not, what do you say?”⁷Hushai replied, “This time the advice of Ahithophel is not sound.”

Summary

In this verse, Hushai gives Absalom advice to pursue David immediately with a small, select group of warriors. The strategy is to strike David while he is weary and discouraged, causing panic among his followers and increasing the likelihood of capturing him. Hushai's counsel aims to capitalize on the vulnerability of David's situation and exploit it for Absalom's advantage in the pursuit of regaining the kingdom. This verse showcases the political intrigue and strategic maneuvering that characterized the power struggle between David and Absalom during this tumultuous period.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

For (said Hushai) thou knowest thy father and his men, that they be mighty men,.... Men of courage and valour, and not such weak-handed and weak-hearted men, and so easily intimidated, as Ahithophel suggests: and they be chafed in their minds; or "bitter in soul" (f); not merely filled with trouble and anguish, and depressed in their spirits, on account of that, as the phrase sometimes signifies; but enraged and full of wrath at the rebellion raised against their prince, which obliged them with him to leave their habitations; and now being desperate, their all lying at stake, their wives and children, their families and estates, they would fight furiously in the defence of the king and themselves, and not so soon flee as Ahithophel had represented: as a bear robbed of her whelps in the field; a bear is a very furious creature, especially a she bear, and the more when it has whelps, and more so when deprived of them (g), when it ranges about in the field, and in its fury attacks whomsoever it meets with; See Gill on Hos 13:8, and thy father is a man of war; not only bold and courageous, but expert and skilful in all the arts of war and not easy to be surprised and circumvented, as Ahithophel intimated: and will not lodge with the people; in the camp, but at some distance from it; partly to prevent any traitorous design upon him in it, and partly that he might not be surprised by the enemy, knowing that their chief view was to seize his person; and therefore as it would not be easy to find him where he was, he could not be smitten alone, as Ahithophel proposed. (f) "amari animo", Pagninus, Montanus; "amaro animo", V. L. Tigurine version, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator. (g) Aristot. Hist. Animal. l. 6. c. 18. & 9. 1.