2 Samuel 17:8

KJV

For, said Hushai, thou knowest thy father and his men, that they [be] mighty men, and they [be] chafed in their minds, as a bear robbed of her whelps in the field: and thy father [is] a man of war, and will not lodge with the people.

KJV (with Strong's)

For, said {H559} Hushai {H2365}, thou knowest {H3045} thy father {H1} and his men {H582}, that they be mighty men {H1368}, and they be chafed {H4751} in their minds {H5315}, as a bear {H1677} robbed {H7909} of her whelps in the field {H7704}: and thy father {H1} is a man {H376} of war {H4421}, and will not lodge {H3885} with the people {H5971}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You know," continued Hushai, "that your father and his men are powerful men, and that they are as bitter as a bear deprived of her cubs in the wild. Moreover, your father is a military man, and he won't camp with the rest of the people -

Berean Standard Bible

He continued, “You know your father and his men. They are mighty men, and as fierce as a wild bear robbed of her cubs. Moreover, your father is a man of war who will not spend the night with the troops.

American Standard Version

Hushai said moreover, Thou knowest thy father and his men, that they are mighty men, and they are chafed in their minds, as a bear robbed of her whelps in the field; and thy father is a man of war, and will not lodge with the people.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In 2 Samuel 17:8, Hushai the Archite, acting as a strategic double agent, masterfully presents a terrifying and formidable portrait of King David and his loyal warriors to Absalom. This verse is a crucial component of Hushai's deceptive counsel, designed to undermine Ahithophel's militarily sound advice for an immediate, swift pursuit. By vividly emphasizing David's seasoned military prowess, the desperate and primal rage of his "mighty men" likened to a bear protecting her cubs, and David's cunning as a "man of war" who would never be caught unawares, Hushai skillfully instills fear and hesitation in Absalom, thereby gaining invaluable time for David to escape and regroup.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is intricately woven into the dramatic narrative of Absalom's rebellion against his father, King David, spanning from [2 Samuel 15](/2_samuel/15 "2 Samuel 15 - Absalom's Rebellion Begins") through [2 Samuel 18](/2_samuel/18 "2 Samuel 18 - Absalom's Defeat and Death"). Following Absalom's successful coup and David's hurried flight from Jerusalem, Ahithophel, David's former trusted counselor who had defected, offered what was considered divinely inspired advice: an immediate, decisive pursuit of David with 12,000 men to strike him down before he could consolidate his forces. However, David had strategically sent Hushai back to Jerusalem with the explicit mission to "frustrate the counsel of Ahithophel" ([2 Samuel 15:34](/2_samuel/15-34 "2 Samuel 15:34 - David's Strategy with Hushai")). Hushai's elaborate counter-proposal, detailed in [2 Samuel 17:7-13](/2_samuel/17-7-13 "2 Samuel 17:7-13 - Hushai's Counter-Counsel to Absalom"), is a brilliant piece of psychological manipulation designed to appeal to Absalom's ego and inexperience, ultimately granting David the vital time needed to cross the Jordan River to safety. Verse 8 serves as the potent opening argument in this persuasive and ultimately deceptive speech.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is ancient Israel, a society where military leadership, strategic acumen, and battlefield prowess were paramount, particularly for a king. David himself had risen to prominence as a legendary warrior, from his iconic defeat of Goliath ([1 Samuel 17](/1_samuel/17 "1 Samuel 17 - David and Goliath")) to his celebrated military victories, leading to the popular refrain, "Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands" ([1 Samuel 18:7](/1_samuel/18-7 "1 Samuel 18:7 - Saul and David's Victories")). His "mighty men" were not merely soldiers but a renowned elite fighting force, celebrated for their extraordinary feats, unwavering loyalty, and formidable skill ([2 Samuel 23:8-39](/2_samuel/23-8-39 "2 Samuel 23:8-39 - David's Mighty Men")). Absalom, while charismatic and popular, lacked his father's extensive military experience and battlefield shrewdness. The cultural understanding of a "man of war" encompassed not just combat skill, but strategic cunning, resilience, and the ability to inspire fierce loyalty or terror. The vivid simile of a "bear robbed of her whelps" would have resonated deeply within an agrarian society familiar with the raw, protective fury of wild animals, particularly a mother bear, which was a widely recognized symbol of desperate and unstoppable rage.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of [2 Samuel](/2_samuel/1 "2 Samuel - The Reign of King David"). Firstly, it underscores **David's enduring military prowess and formidable reputation**, even when in exile and seemingly vulnerable, highlighting why he remained such a formidable opponent. Secondly, it brilliantly showcases the theme of **strategic deception and psychological warfare**, as Hushai masterfully manipulates Absalom's perceptions and fears to achieve his objective, demonstrating that the conflict was not merely a clash of armies but a battle of wits and wills. Thirdly, and most profoundly, it subtly points to **God's sovereign hand in human affairs**. While Hushai's counsel appears to be a brilliant human maneuver, the broader narrative explicitly declares that "the Lord had purposed to frustrate the good counsel of Ahithophel, so that the Lord might bring disaster on Absalom" ([2 Samuel 17:14](/2_samuel/17-14 "2 Samuel 17:14 - God Frustrates Ahithophel's Counsel")). Thus, Hushai's words, though deceptive in their immediate intent, ultimately serve as an instrument of divine providence, ensuring David's survival and the ultimate downfall of Absalom, thereby preserving the sacred Davidic covenant.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Mighty men (Hebrew, _gibbôwr'_):** From H1368, this term refers to powerful warriors, champions, or valiant men. In the context of David's reign, the "mighty men" were a specific, highly elite, and fiercely loyal group of seasoned fighters who had stood with David through countless campaigns and adversities. Hushai uses this term to evoke their legendary status and formidable reputation, suggesting a force not easily defeated.
* **Chafed in their minds (Hebrew, _mar-nephesh'_):** A combination of H4751 (bitter) and H5315 (soul/mind), this phrase literally means "bitter of soul" or "bitter in spirit." It conveys a profound sense of exasperation, distress, and intense anger. When applied to warriors, it describes a state of deep emotional anguish and resentment, leading to a desperate, unyielding determination. Hushai employs this to imply a dangerous, cornered ferocity, where David's men, feeling they have nothing left to lose, would fight with extreme, almost irrational, intensity.
* **Man of war (Hebrew, _ʼîysh milchâmâh'_):** A combination of H376 (man) and H4421 (war), this is a title of high respect and fear, denoting someone who is not merely a soldier but a master of warfare—experienced, cunning, strategically astute, and battle-hardened. David had earned this title through decades of military campaigns. Hushai uses this term to remind Absalom of David's formidable personal reputation and to suggest that he would be prepared for any ambush, making a surprise attack futile.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For, said Hushai, thou knowest thy father and his men, that they [be] mighty men,"**: Hushai begins his counter-argument by appealing to Absalom's existing knowledge and perception of David. He presumes Absalom is already aware of David's formidable reputation and the legendary status of his elite warriors, the "mighty men." This opening establishes a common ground and subtly validates Absalom's potential underlying fears, making the subsequent, more alarming arguments more credible and palatable.
* **"and they [be] chafed in their minds, as a bear robbed of her whelps in the field:"**: This clause forms the psychological core of Hushai's strategy. He describes David's men as being in a profound state of bitterness and desperate rage due to their forced exile and the rebellion. The vivid simile of a mother bear whose cubs have been taken away paints a visceral picture of an animal driven to an uncontrollable, ferocious, and utterly relentless fury. This imagery suggests that David's men, feeling cornered and having lost everything, would fight with unparalleled intensity and a complete disregard for their own lives, making them incredibly dangerous and unpredictable.
* **"and thy father [is] a man of war, and will not lodge with the people."**: Hushai concludes by reiterating David's personal military prowess and cunning. Calling him a "man of war" emphasizes his vast experience, strategic mind, and proven ability to anticipate and evade attacks. The phrase "will not lodge with the people" suggests that David, being a seasoned commander, would be too clever to be caught sleeping among his main forces. He would undoubtedly take precautions, perhaps hiding in a secure, unknown location, making a swift, targeted strike against him virtually impossible. This final point further undermines Absalom's confidence in Ahithophel's plan for a quick victory.

#### Literary Devices
Hushai's speech in this verse is a masterful display of **Rhetoric** and **Psychological Warfare**. He skillfully employs **Ethos** by appealing to Absalom's existing knowledge and respect for David's established reputation, thereby lending credibility to his own claims. He then uses **Pathos** to evoke profound fear and doubt in Absalom regarding the desperate ferocity of David and his men. The most striking and memorable device is the **Simile**: "as a bear robbed of her whelps in the field." This powerful comparison vividly illustrates the intense, primal, and unstoppable rage of David and his cornered forces, tapping into a universal understanding of protective fury. This **Imagery** is designed to create a visceral sense of dread and to make the idea of confronting David's desperate men seem suicidal. Furthermore, Hushai subtly uses **Hyperbole** to exaggerate the danger, painting a picture of an invincible, enraged force, thereby making Ahithophel's swift strike seem reckless and ill-conceived. His entire argument is a sophisticated form of **Strategic Deception**, meticulously crafted to mislead Absalom and buy David crucial time.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This passage, while detailing a complex human conflict and a cunning maneuver, resonates deeply with the overarching biblical theme of God's sovereignty over human plans. Hushai's deceptive counsel, though born of human strategy and political intrigue, is explicitly stated to be an instrument of divine will. The narrative reveals that the Lord "had purposed to frustrate the good counsel of Ahithophel, so that the Lord might bring disaster on Absalom" ([2 Samuel 17:14](/2_samuel/17-14 "2 Samuel 17:14 - God Frustrates Ahithophel's Counsel")). This demonstrates that even in the midst of rebellion, human machinations, and apparent chaos, God remains the ultimate orchestrator of events, guiding outcomes to fulfill His eternal purposes and preserve His chosen king and covenant promises. It powerfully underscores the truth that "Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails" ([Proverbs 19:21](/proverbs/19-21 "Proverbs 19:21 - God's Purpose Prevails")).

* [Proverbs 19:21](/proverbs/19-21 "Proverbs 19:21 - God's Purpose Prevails")
* [Psalm 33:10-11](/psalm/33-10-11 "Psalm 33:10-11 - The Lord Frustrates the Plans of the Nations")
* [Isaiah 46:10](/isaiah/46-10 "Isaiah 46:10 - God Declares the End from the Beginning")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hushai's cunning counsel in this verse serves as a profound reminder of the multifaceted nature of wisdom and the critical importance of discernment. Absalom, despite having Ahithophel's militarily sound and highly regarded advice, chose Hushai's more appealing but ultimately fatal counsel. This highlights the perennial danger of making decisions based on what sounds good, flatters one's ego, or aligns with one's pre-existing desires, rather than on objective truth, sound judgment, and humble seeking of wisdom. For believers, this narrative stresses the profound need to seek divine wisdom, which is described as "first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere" ([James 3:17](/james/3-17 "James 3:17 - Wisdom from Above")). It also encourages us to recognize that even in desperate or seemingly chaotic circumstances, God can work through unexpected and even humanly deceptive means—when it serves His ultimate, righteous purposes—to protect His people and advance His kingdom. We are called to cultivate discernment, to be "wise as serpents and innocent as doves" ([Matthew 10:16](/matthew/10-16 "Matthew 10:16 - Be Wise as Serpents and Innocent as Doves")), carefully weighing counsel and seeking guidance that aligns with God's character and truth, rather than merely what is palatable or self-serving.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I discern between counsel that appeals to my desires and counsel that is truly wise and beneficial, especially when faced with difficult decisions?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be prone to underestimating the "chafed" or desperate state of others, or conversely, overestimating my own strength and invulnerability?**
* **How does understanding God's ultimate sovereignty in this narrative encourage or challenge my approach to strategic planning, decision-making, and trust in divine providence?**

### FAQ
**Why did Absalom listen to Hushai's advice over Ahithophel's, especially since Ahithophel was so highly regarded?**

Answer: Absalom chose Hushai's advice for several compelling reasons, primarily due to Hushai's masterful psychological manipulation and Absalom's own vanity and inexperience. Ahithophel's counsel was militarily sound and would likely have led to David's swift defeat. However, Hushai's counter-proposal appealed directly to Absalom's desire for personal glory and a grand, decisive victory. Hushai suggested gathering a massive army from all Israel, with Absalom personally leading it, which would have resonated deeply with Absalom's ego and ambition ([2 Samuel 17:11](/2_samuel/17-11 "2 Samuel 17:11 - Hushai's Grand Plan")). Furthermore, Hushai skillfully painted a terrifying picture of David and his "mighty men" as desperate, cornered, and incredibly dangerous, making Ahithophel's immediate pursuit seem reckless and potentially costly. This instilled fear and hesitation in Absalom, who lacked David's extensive battlefield experience. Ultimately, the Bible explicitly states that "the Lord had purposed to frustrate the good counsel of Ahithophel, so that the Lord might bring disaster on Absalom" ([2 Samuel 17:14](/2_samuel/17-14 "2 Samuel 17:14 - God Frustrates Ahithophel's Counsel")), indicating divine intervention in Absalom's decision-making to achieve God's sovereign purposes.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 2 Samuel 17:8 vividly portrays David as a formidable "man of war" and his loyal followers as fiercely protective and enraged, this image ultimately points to a greater reality found in Jesus Christ. David, though a chosen king and valiant warrior, was a flawed human figure, often fleeing from his enemies. Jesus, however, is the ultimate "man of war" in a spiritual sense, not against flesh and blood, but against sin, death, and the principalities and powers of darkness ([Ephesians 6:12](/ephesians/6-12 "Ephesians 6:12 - Our Struggle Against Spiritual Forces")). He is the true Shepherd who fiercely protects His flock, exhibiting a divine, protective "rage" against anything that threatens His beloved sheep, far surpassing the instinct of a "bear robbed of her whelps." His journey to the cross, where He defeated sin and death, demonstrates His ultimate strategic cunning and unwavering resolve, not to save His own life, but to lay it down for the salvation of many ([Mark 10:45](/mark/10-45 "Mark 10:45 - The Son of Man Came to Serve")). Unlike David who fled, Jesus willingly confronted His enemies, demonstrating supreme power and authority even in His vulnerability, causing His captors to fall back at His mere declaration, "I am He" ([John 18:4-6](/john/18-4-6 "John 18:4-6 - Jesus Identifies Himself")). He is the true King whose plans cannot be frustrated by human counsel or rebellion, for He is "the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end" ([Revelation 22:13](/revelation/22-13 "Revelation 22:13 - Jesus, the Alpha and the Omega")), and His kingdom is eternal and unshakable.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Hosea 13:8

I will meet them as a bear [that is] bereaved [of her whelps], and will rend the caul of their heart, and there will I devour them like a lion: the wild beast shall tear them.

1 Samuel 16:18

Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, [that is] cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD [is] with him.

Daniel 7:5

And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and [it had] three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh.

Proverbs 17:12

¶ Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.

Hebrews 11:32

¶ And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and [of] Barak, and [of] Samson, and [of] Jephthae; [of] David also, and Samuel, and [of] the prophets:

Hebrews 11:34

Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

2 Kings 2:24

And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the LORD. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them.