2 Samuel 17:4

And the saying pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of Israel.

And the saying {H1697} pleased {H3474} Absalom {H53} well {H5869}, and all the elders {H2205} of Israel {H3478}.

What he said pleased Avshalom and all the leaders of Isra'el.

This proposal seemed good to Absalom and all the elders of Israel.

And the saying pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of Israel.

Commentary

Context of 2 Samuel 17:4

This verse is a pivotal moment in the dramatic narrative of Absalom's rebellion against his father King David. David has fled Jerusalem, and Absalom has seized the throne. Ahithophel, David's former chief counselor who defected to Absalom, offers counsel considered to be extraordinarily wise, "as if a man had inquired at the oracle of God" (2 Samuel 16:23). Ahithophel's plan, detailed in 2 Samuel 17:1-3, was to immediately pursue David with 12,000 chosen men, striking him while he was weary and vulnerable, thereby scattering his followers and bringing the people back to Absalom.

Meaning and Significance of 2 Samuel 17:4

The phrase "And the saying pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of Israel" indicates immediate and enthusiastic approval of Ahithophel's strategic advice. This counsel was militarily sound and likely would have succeeded in crushing David's resistance quickly. Absalom's approval, backed by the elders who represented the nation, signifies that Ahithophel's plan was on the verge of being executed. This unanimous agreement sets the stage for the crucial divine intervention that follows, as God had purposed to frustrate Ahithophel's counsel through Hushai the Archite.

Key Themes

  • The Power of Counsel: Ahithophel's reputation for wisdom meant his advice carried immense weight, and its strategic brilliance was immediately recognized by Absalom and the elders.
  • Human Folly vs. Divine Wisdom: While Ahithophel's counsel was humanly perfect, Absalom's acceptance of it here, and his later rejection of it in favor of Hushai's flawed advice (2 Samuel 17:14), illustrates how human plans, no matter how clever, can be overturned by divine will.
  • God's Sovereign Plan: This verse, showing the widespread acceptance of a plan that would have destroyed David, highlights the dramatic tension before God's intervention to protect His chosen king and uphold His covenant promises.

Linguistic Insight

The Hebrew word translated "pleased well" is yatav, which means "to be good," "to be pleasing," or "to be right." Its use here emphasizes that Ahithophel's counsel was perceived as excellent and perfectly suited to their objectives, gaining immediate and strong approval from Absalom and the leaders.

Practical Application

The narrative surrounding this verse offers several insights for today:

  • Discerning Counsel: Not all counsel, even if seemingly wise or popular, is ultimately beneficial or aligned with God's purposes. Believers are called to discern advice carefully, seeking wisdom from God above all (Proverbs 3:5-6).
  • God's Providence: Even when circumstances seem dire and plans are set against us, God remains sovereign. He can orchestrate events and influence decisions to accomplish His will, often in surprising ways, as He did by frustrating Ahithophel's "good" counsel.
  • Consequences of Rebellion: Absalom's rebellion was built on ambition and deceit, leading him to accept counsel that ultimately contributed to his downfall, despite its initial appeal. This serves as a timeless reminder of the destructive nature of rebellion against authority and God's established order.
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Cross-References

  • Esther 5:14 (2 votes)

    Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let a gallows be made of fifty cubits high, and to morrow speak thou unto the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then go thou in merrily with the king unto the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made.

  • Romans 1:32 (2 votes)

    Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

  • 2 Chronicles 30:4 (2 votes)

    And the thing pleased the king and all the congregation.

  • Esther 1:21 (2 votes)

    And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan:

  • 1 Samuel 23:21 (2 votes)

    And Saul said, Blessed [be] ye of the LORD; for ye have compassion on me.

  • 1 Samuel 18:20 (2 votes)

    And Michal Saul's daughter loved David: and they told Saul, and the thing pleased him.

  • 1 Samuel 18:21 (2 votes)

    And Saul said, I will give him her, that she may be a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him. Wherefore Saul said to David, Thou shalt this day be my son in law in [the one of] the twain.