What does 2 Samuel 17:2 mean?
"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:" - 2 Samuel 17:2
2 Samuel 17:2 (KJV) reads as follows: "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:"
This verse is part of the biblical narrative of the rebellion of Absalom against his father, King David. In this particular verse, Hushai, a trusted advisor of David, is offering his advice to Absalom, who has sought counsel on how to defeat David and his loyal followers.
The verse speaks to the tactics that Hushai suggests to defeat David. He proposes a strategic attack on David when he is at his weakest, weary and weak-handed. Hushai believes that if they can catch David in a vulnerable state, they can strike fear into him and cause his followers to flee. The plan is to specifically target the king, believing that if David is taken out, the rebellion will be successful.
From a thematic perspective, this verse touches on the themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the struggle for power. Hushai, as a loyal advisor to David, is placed in a difficult position. He must offer counsel to Absalom while remaining true to David. This highlights the complexities of loyalty and the moral dilemmas that individuals face in times of conflict and political turmoil.
The context of this verse is important for understanding its significance within the larger biblical narrative. David, as the chosen king of Israel, is facing a threat to his reign from his own son, Absalom. The rebellion has caused a deep divide within the kingdom, and David's leadership is being put to the test. Hushai's counsel is a pivotal moment in the unfolding of the rebellion, as the advice he gives could have far-reaching consequences for the outcome of the conflict.
Symbolically, the verse can be seen as a representation of the constant struggle between good and evil, and the challenges that arise when individuals are faced with difficult decisions. Hushai's actions symbolize the internal conflicts that arise when loyalty is tested and the moral implications of choosing sides in a larger conflict.
Furthermore, the verse also speaks to the vulnerability of leadership and the constant threat of betrayal and insurrection. It serves as a reminder of the precarious nature of power and the challenges that leaders face in maintaining their authority.
In conclusion, 2 Samuel 17:2 (KJV) is a significant verse within the biblical narrative of the rebellion of Absalom. It addresses key thematic elements such as loyalty, betrayal, and the struggle for power, and it offers a glimpse into the complexities of human decision-making in times of conflict. The verse's symbolism highlights the moral dilemmas that individuals face when confronted with difficult choices, and it serves as a poignant reminder of the vulnerability of leadership in the face of internal strife. Overall, this verse holds a deep and timeless significance within the larger biblical narrative.
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2 Samuel 17:2 - "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:"
"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:" - 2 Samuel 17:2
2 Samuel 2:17 - "And there was a very sore battle that day; and Abner was beaten, and the men of Israel, before the servants of David."
2 Samuel 1. 17-27
2 Samuel 22:17-20
2 Samuel 17:26 - "So Israel and Absalom pitched in the land of Gilead."
2 Samuel 17:4 - "And the saying pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of Israel."
2 Samuel 1:17 - "¶ And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son:"
2 Samuel 8:17 - "And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Seraiah was the scribe;"
2 Samuel 17:7 - "And Hushai said unto Absalom, The counsel that Ahithophel hath given is not good at this time."
2 Samuel 15:17 - "And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off."
2 Samuel 17:17 - "Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz stayed by En-rogel; for they might not be seen to come into the city: and a wench went and told them; and they went and told king David."
2 Samuel 17:24 - "Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom passed over Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him."
2 Samuel 16:17 - "And Absalom said to Hushai, Is this thy kindness to thy friend? why wentest thou not with thy friend?"
1 Samuel 2:17 - "Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD: for men abhorred the offering of the LORD."
2 Samuel 7:17 - "According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David."
2 Samuel 22:17 - "He sent from above, he took me; he drew me out of many waters;"
1 Samuel 17:2 - "And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together, and pitched by the valley of Elah, and set the battle in array against the Philistines."
2 Samuel 17:19 - "And the woman took and spread a covering over the well's mouth, and spread ground corn thereon; and the thing was not known."
2 Samuel 3:17 - "¶ And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, Ye sought for David in times past to be king over you:"
2 Samuel 17:28 - "Brought beds, and basons, and earthen vessels, and wheat, and barley, and flour, and parched corn, and beans, and lentiles, and parched pulse,"
2 Samuel 17:5 - "Then said Absalom, Call now Hushai the Archite also, and let us hear likewise what he saith."
2 Samuel 11:17 - "And the men of the city went out, and fought with Joab: and there fell some of the people of the servants of David; and Uriah the Hittite died also."
"So Israel and Absalom pitched in the land of Gilead." - 2 Samuel 17:26
2 Samuel 17:29 - "And honey, and butter, and sheep, and cheese of kine, for David, and for the people that were with him, to eat: for they said, The people is hungry, and weary, and thirsty, in the wilderness."
"And there was a very sore battle that day; and Abner was beaten, and the men of Israel, before the servants of David." - 2 Samuel 2:17
2 Samuel 17:22 - "Then David arose, and all the people that were with him, and they passed over Jordan: by the morning light there lacked not one of them that was not gone over Jordan."
2 Samuel 17:13 - "Moreover, if he be gotten into a city, then shall all Israel bring ropes to that city, and we will draw it into the river, until there be not one small stone found there."
2 Samuel 17:3 - "And I will bring back all the people unto thee: the man whom thou seekest is as if all returned: so all the people shall be in peace."
"And the saying pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of Israel." - 2 Samuel 17:4