King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Now therefore send quickly, and tell David, saying, Lodge not this night in the plains of the wilderness, but speedily pass over; lest the king be swallowed up, and all the people that [are] with him.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Now therefore send quickly and tell David, "Don't stay tonight in the desert plains; but, whatever it takes, move on from there! Otherwise, the king and all the people with him will be engulfed."
Berean Standard Bible:
Now send quickly and tell David, ‘Do not spend the night at the fords of the wilderness, but be sure to cross over. Otherwise the king and all the people with him will be swallowed up.’”
American Standard Version:
Now therefore send quickly, and tell David, saying, Lodge not this night at the fords of the wilderness, but by all means pass over; lest the king be swallowed up, and all the people that are with him.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Now therefore send{H7971} quickly{H4120}, and tell{H5046} David{H1732}, saying{H559}, Lodge{H3885} not this night{H3915} in the plains{H6160}{H5679} of the wilderness{H4057}, but speedily{H5674} pass over{H5674}; lest the king{H4428} be swallowed up{H1104}, and all the people{H5971} that are with him.
Cross-References (KJV):
2 Samuel 15:28
- See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until there come word from you to certify me.
1 Corinthians 15:54
- So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
2 Corinthians 5:4
- For we that are in [this] tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.
2 Samuel 20:19
- I [am one of them that are] peaceable [and] faithful in Israel: thou seekest to destroy a city and a mother in Israel: why wilt thou swallow up the inheritance of the LORD?
2 Samuel 20:20
- And Joab answered and said, Far be it, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy.
2 Samuel 17:21
- And it came to pass, after they were departed, that they came up out of the well, and went and told king David, and said unto David, Arise, and pass quickly over the water: for thus hath Ahithophel counselled against you.
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.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for 2 Samuel 17:16
2 Samuel 17:16 is a verse set within the broader narrative of King David's reign and the rebellion led by his son Absalom. The historical context is crucial to understanding the verse's significance. Absalom has usurped the throne and forced David to flee Jerusalem. The verse is part of the advice given by Hushai, a counselor loyal to David, to the priests Zadok and Abiathar. Hushai, aware of a plot to ambush David in the wilderness, urges them to send a message to David to avoid spending the night in the open plains where he would be vulnerable.
The themes present in this verse include loyalty, wisdom in counsel, and the precarious nature of leadership. Hushai's loyalty to David is evident as he works to protect the king from harm. His wisdom is demonstrated in his strategic advice to avoid an impending attack. The verse also underscores the constant threats that leaders, especially in times of political instability, face. It highlights the necessity of swift and decisive action in response to credible threats—advice that could mean the difference between life and death for David and his followers.
In summary, 2 Samuel 17:16 captures a critical moment in David's life where the counsel of a faithful advisor could avert a disaster. It reflects the themes of loyalty, strategic wisdom, and the vulnerability of rulers, while also showcasing the intricate web of political intrigue that often accompanied ancient kingship.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H7971
There are 790 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁלַח
Transliteration: shâlach
Pronunciation: shaw-lakh'
Description: a primitive root; to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications); [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring (on the way), cast (away, out), conduct, [idiom] earnestly, forsake, give (up), grow long, lay, leave, let depart (down, go, loose), push away, put (away, forth, in, out), reach forth, send (away, forth, out), set, shoot (forth, out), sow, spread, stretch forth (out). - Strong's Number: H4120
There are 20 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מְהֵרָה
Transliteration: mᵉhêrâh
Pronunciation: meh-hay-raw'
Description: feminine of מַהֵר; properly, a hurry; hence (adverbially) promptly; hastily, quickly, shortly, soon, make (with) speed(-ily), swiftly. - Strong's Number: H5046
There are 344 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָגַד
Transliteration: nâgad
Pronunciation: naw-gad'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to one present); specifically, to expose, predict, explain, praise; bewray, [idiom] certainly, certify, declare(-ing), denounce, expound, [idiom] fully, messenger, plainly, profess, rehearse, report, shew (forth), speak, [idiom] surely, tell, utter. - Strong's Number: H1732
There are 911 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: דָּוִד
Transliteration: Dâvid
Pronunciation: daw-veed'
Description: rarely (fully); דָּוִיד; from the same as דּוֹד; loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse; David. - Strong's Number: H559
There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָמַר
Transliteration: ʼâmar
Pronunciation: aw-mar'
Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. - Strong's Number: H3885
There are 79 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לוּן
Transliteration: lûwn
Pronunciation: loon
Description: or לִין; a primitive root; to stop (usually over night); by implication, to stay permanently; hence (in a bad sense) to be obstinate (especially in words, to complain); abide (all night), continue, dwell, endure, grudge, be left, lie all night, (cause to) lodge (all night, in, -ing, this night), (make to) murmur, remain, tarry (all night, that night). - Strong's Number: H3915
There are 223 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לַיִל
Transliteration: layil
Pronunciation: lah'-yil
Description: or (Isaiah 21:11) לֵיל; also לַיְלָה; from the same as לוּל; properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e. night; figuratively, adversity; (mid-)night (season). - Strong's Number: H6160
There are 57 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֲרָבָה
Transliteration: ʻărâbâh
Pronunciation: ar-aw-baw'
Description: from עָרַב (in the sense of sterility); a desert; especially (with the article prefix) the (generally) sterile valley of the Jordan and its continuation to the Red Sea; Arabah, champaign, desert, evening, heaven, plain, wilderness. See also בֵּית הָעֲרָבָה. - Strong's Number: H5679
There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֲבָרָה
Transliteration: ʻăbârâh
Pronunciation: ab-aw-raw'
Description: from עָבַר; a crossing-place; ferry, plain (from the margin). - Strong's Number: H4057
There are 257 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִדְבָּר
Transliteration: midbâr
Pronunciation: mid-bawr'
Description: from דָבַר in the sense of driving; a pasture (i.e. open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert; also speech (including its organs); desert, south, speech, wilderness. - Strong's Number: H5674
There are 493 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָבַר
Transliteration: ʻâbar
Pronunciation: aw-bar'
Description: a primitive root; to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in copulation); alienate, alter, [idiom] at all, beyond, bring (over, through), carry over, (over-) come (on, over), conduct (over), convey over, current, deliver, do away, enter, escape, fail, gender, get over, (make) go (away, beyond, by, forth, his way, in, on, over, through), have away (more), lay, meddle, overrun, make partition, (cause to, give, make to, over) pass(-age, along, away, beyond, by, -enger, on, out, over, through), (cause to, make) [phrase] proclaim(-amation), perish, provoke to anger, put away, rage, [phrase] raiser of taxes, remove, send over, set apart, [phrase] shave, cause to (make) sound, [idiom] speedily, [idiom] sweet smelling, take (away), (make to) transgress(-or), translate, turn away, (way-) faring man, be wrath. - Strong's Number: H4428
There are 1922 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מֶלֶךְ
Transliteration: melek
Pronunciation: meh'-lek
Description: from מָלַךְ; a king; king, royal. - Strong's Number: H1104
There are 48 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בָּלַע
Transliteration: bâlaʻ
Pronunciation: baw-lah'
Description: a primitive root; to make away with (specifically by swallowing); generally, to destroy; cover, destroy, devour, eat up, be at end, spend up, swallow down (up). - Strong's Number: H5971
There are 1654 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עַם
Transliteration: ʻam
Pronunciation: am
Description: from עָמַם; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock; folk, men, nation, people.