2 Samuel 17

All 29 verses in the Clear Bible Translation. Tap a verse to compare the KJV and read what it means.

Read 2 Samuel 17 in the Bible reader, with audio →

1. 1Moreover, Ahithophel said to Absalom, "Let me now choose 12,000 men, and I will rise and pursue David tonight."
2. 2I will come upon him while he is exhausted and weak, and will make him afraid. All the people with him will flee, and I will strike only the king.
3. 3And I will bring back all the people to you: the man you seek is like having everyone return, so all the people will be at peace.
4. 4This plan sounded good to Absalom and to all the elders of Israel.
5. 5But then Absalom said, "Bring in Hushai the Archite too. Let's hear what he thinks."
6. 6When Hushai arrived, Absalom told him, "Here's what Ahithophel is recommending. Should we follow his plan? If not, tell us what you think."
7. 7Hushai told Absalom, "This time, Ahithophel's advice is not good."
8. 8Hushai said, "You know your father and his men; they are mighty warriors, and they are upset in their minds, like a bear robbed of her cubs in the field. Your father is a man of war and will not stay with the people."
9. 9Look, he is hiding now in some pit or in some other place. When some of them are overthrown at the start, whoever hears it will say, 'There is a slaughter among the people who follow Absalom.'
10. 10Then even the bravest soldier, whose heart is like that of a lion, will completely lose heart. For all Israel knows that your father is a mighty man, and those with him are valiant men.
11. 11"So here's my advice: gather all of Israel to your side, from Dan to Beersheba — an army as countless as sand on the seashore — and lead them into battle yourself.
12. 12Then we'll find him wherever he's hiding and fall on him the way dew settles on the ground. Not one of them will survive — not him, not a single man with him.
13. 13And if he retreats into a city, all of Israel will bring ropes to that city, and we'll drag it stone by stone into the river until not even a pebble is left."
14. 14Absalom and all the men of Israel said, "Hushai the Archite's plan is better than Ahithophel's." For the LORD had appointed to defeat Ahithophel's good advice, so that the LORD might bring evil upon Absalom.
15. 15Hushai said to Zadok and Abiathar the priests, 'This is what Ahithophel advised Absalom and the elders of Israel, and this is what I advised.'
16. 16Send word to David right away. Tell him, 'Don't spend tonight in the plains of the wilderness. Cross over immediately, or the king and everyone with him will be swallowed up.'
17. 17Jonathan and Ahimaaz were waiting at En Rogel, since they couldn't risk being seen entering the city. A servant girl went out and told them, and they went and informed King David.
18. 18But a young man spotted them and reported it to Absalom. So the two of them hurried away and came to the house of a man in Bahurim who had a well in his courtyard. They climbed down into it.
19. 19The woman took a covering and spread it over the mouth of the well, then scattered ground corn on it, so nothing was noticed.
20. 20When Absalom's men arrived at the house, they asked the woman, "Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?" She told them, "They crossed over the brook." The men searched but couldn't find them, so they went back to Jerusalem.
21. 21After Absalom's men left, Jonathan and Ahimaaz climbed out of the well and hurried to King David. They told him, "Get up and cross the water right away, for Ahithophel has given this counsel against you."
22. 22David and everyone with him got up and crossed the Jordan. By the time morning came, every last person had made it across.
23. 23When Ahithophel realized his advice had been rejected, he saddled his donkey and went home to his own city. He put his affairs in order, then hanged himself. He died and was buried in his father's tomb.
24. 24David arrived at Mahanaim. Meanwhile, Absalom crossed the Jordan with all the men of Israel.
25. 25Absalom appointed Amasa as commander of the army in place of Joab. Amasa was the son of a man named Ithra, an Israelite, who went in to Abigail, the daughter of Nahash and sister of Zeruiah, Joab's mother.
26. 26Israel and Absalom set up camp in the land of Gilead.
27. 27When David arrived at Mahanaim, Shobi son of Nahash from Rabbah of the Ammonites, Machir son of Ammiel from Lodebar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim
28. 28brought beds, basins, clay pots, wheat, barley, flour, roasted corn, beans, lentils, roasted seeds,
29. 29honey, butter, sheep, and cheese for David and all the people with him to eat. They said, "These people must be hungry, exhausted, and thirsty from traveling through the wilderness."