2 Samuel 19:3

Verse

So they returned to the city quietly that day, as people steal away in humiliation after fleeing a battle.

American Standard Version (1901)

And the people gat them by stealth that day into the city, as people that are ashamed steal away when they flee in battle.

Bible in Basic English

And the people made their way back to the town quietly and secretly, as those who are shamed go secretly when they go in flight from the war.

Douay-Rheims 1899

And the people shunned the going into the city that day as a people would do that hath turned their backs, and fled away from the battle.

Free Bible Version

They stole back into town that day like defeated people steal in, ashamed of running away from the battle.

Geneva Bible 1599

And the people went that day into the citie secretly, as people confounded hide them selues when they flee in battell.

King James (Authorized) Version

And the people gat them by stealth that day into the city, as people being ashamed steal away when they flee in battle.

Translation for Translators

The soldiers returned to the city quietly, like [SIM] soldiers do when they are ashamed because they ran away from battle.

Unlocked Literal Bible

The soldiers had to sneak quietly into the city that day, like people who are ashamed sneak away when they run from battle.

Noah Webster Bible

And the people withdrew by stealth that day into the city, as people being ashamed steal away when they flee in battle.

World English Bible

The people sneaked into the city that day, as people who are ashamed steal away when they flee in battle.

Young's Literal Translation

And the people stealeth away, on that day, to go in to the city, as the people steal away, who are ashamed, in their fleeing in battle;

Context

Joab Reproves David

²And that day’s victory was turned into mourning for all the people, because on that day they were told, “The king is grieving over his son.”³So they returned to the city quietly that day, as people steal away in humiliation after fleeing a battle.⁴But the king covered his face and cried out at the top of his voice, “O my son Absalom! O Absalom, my son, my son!”

Summary

This verse reflects the aftermath of Absalom's rebellion against King David, where the victory of David's loyal supporters resulted in a sense of mourning and defeat among the people. Despite David's victory, he was deeply grieved by the loss of his son Absalom, highlighting the complexity of emotions in the midst of triumph and personal loss. The verse illustrates the delicate balance between justice and mercy, as David's mourning for his rebellious son reveals the depth of his love and forgiveness. It serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of sin and the need for reconciliation and restoration in relationships.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And the people got them by stealth that day into the city,.... Did not march into it in companies, in a public and triumphant manner, as conquerors used to do; but entered in a private manner, one by one, or a very few together, not caring to be seen or known, at least by the king, as fearing they had incurred his displeasure: but as people being ashamed steal away when they flee in battle; as if they had been conquered, and not conquerors; nay, had acted a cowardly part, and ran away; and so cared not to be seen, lest they should be reproached, or suffer for their cowardice.