2 Samuel 19:3

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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

Complete Jewish Bible:

so that the people entered the city furtively that day, the way that people who are ashamed creep away when fleeing a battlefield.

Berean Standard Bible:

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

American Standard Version:

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

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And the people^{H5971} gat^{H935} them by stealth^{H1589} that day^{H3117} into the city^{H5892}, as people^{H5971} being ashamed^{H3637} steal away^{H1589} when they flee^{H5127} in battle^{H4421}.

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Commentary for 2 Samuel 19:3

2 Samuel 19:3 is a verse set within the broader narrative of King David's turbulent reign over Israel. This particular verse captures a moment of national crisis and personal humiliation for David. The historical context is the aftermath of Absalom's rebellion, a significant event where David's son, Absalom, attempted to usurp the throne, leading to a civil war.

In this verse, the people are returning to David after his victory over Absalom's forces. However, their return is not marked by triumph or celebration but by stealth and shame. The text uses the simile "as people being ashamed steal away when they flee in battle" to convey the mood of the moment. This comparison suggests that the people, having either supported Absalom or been forced to follow him, are now returning to David with a sense of guilt and disgrace, as if they were defeated soldiers slinking away from a lost battle.

The themes present in this verse include the complexities of loyalty and allegiance during political upheaval, the emotional toll of civil conflict, and the personal and national humiliation that comes from internal division. It also reflects the mercy and magnanimity of David, who allows his people to return without immediate retribution, despite their disloyalty during the rebellion. This verse underscores the human cost of civil war and the difficult process of reconciliation and healing that follows such internal strife.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. 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.
   
2. Strong's Number: H935
   There are 2307 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בּוֹא
   Transliteration: bôwʼ
   Pronunciation: bo
   Description: a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of applications); abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way.
   
3. Strong's Number: H1589
   There are 36 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: גָּנַב
   Transliteration: gânab
   Pronunciation: gaw-nab'
   Description: a primitive root; to thieve (literally or figuratively); by implication, to deceive; carry away, [idiom] indeed, secretly bring, steal (away), get by stealth.
   
4. Strong's Number: H3117
   There are 1931 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יוֹם
   Transliteration: yôwm
   Pronunciation: yome
   Description: from an unused root meaning to be hot; a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term), (often used adverb); age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger.
   
5. Strong's Number: H5892
   There are 937 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עִיר
   Transliteration: ʻîyr
   Pronunciation: eer
   Description: or (in the plural) עָר; or עָיַר; (Judges 10:4), from עוּר; a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post); Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town.
   
6. Strong's Number: H3637
   There are 38 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כָּלַם
   Transliteration: kâlam
   Pronunciation: kaw-lawm'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to wound; but only figuratively, to taunt or insult; be (make) ashamed, blush, be confounded, be put to confusion, hurt, reproach, (do, put to) shame.
   
7. Strong's Number: H5127
   There are 143 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נוּס
   Transliteration: nûwç
   Pronunciation: noos
   Description: a primitive root; to flit, i.e. vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver); [idiom] abate, away, be displayed, (make to) flee (away, -ing), put to flight, [idiom] hide, lift up a standard.
   
8. Strong's Number: H4421
   There are 308 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מִלְחָמָה
   Transliteration: milchâmâh
   Pronunciation: mil-khaw-maw'
   Description: from לָחַם (in the sense of fighting); a battle (i.e. the engagement); generally, war (i.e. warfare); battle, fight(-ing), war(-rior).