2 Samuel 17:9

Behold, he is hid now in some pit, or in some [other] place: and it will come to pass, when some of them be overthrown at the first, that whosoever heareth it will say, There is a slaughter among the people that follow Absalom.

Behold, he is hid {H2244} now in some {H259} pit {H6354}, or in some {H259} other place {H4725}: and it will come to pass, when some of them be overthrown {H5307} at the first {H8462}, that whosoever {H8085} heareth {H8085} it will say {H559}, There is a slaughter {H4046} among the people {H5971} that follow {H310} Absalom {H53}.

right now he's hidden in a pit or somewhere. So what will happen is this: when they begin their attack, and whoever hears about it says, 'A slaughter is taking place among Avshalom's followers,'

Surely by now he is hiding in a cave or some other location. If some of your troops fall first, whoever hears of it will say, ‘There has been a slaughter among the troops who follow Absalom.’

Behold, he is hid now in some pit, or in some other place: and it will come to pass, when some of them are fallen at the first, that whosoever heareth it will say, There is a slaughter among the people that follow Absalom.

Commentary

2 Samuel 17:9 is part of Hushai the Archite's cunning counsel to Absalom, designed to thwart the dangerous advice of Ahithophel and buy King David crucial time to escape and regroup during Absalom's rebellion.

Context

Following Absalom's usurpation of the throne, King David fled Jerusalem (2 Samuel 15:14). Ahithophel, David's former counselor who defected to Absalom, advised an immediate, swift pursuit of David (2 Samuel 17:1-3), which would likely have led to David's capture and death. However, David had strategically sent Hushai back to Jerusalem to act as a double agent (2 Samuel 15:34-37). In this verse, Hushai is presenting his counter-counsel, portraying David not as a weak, fleeing king, but as a formidable warrior hiding in ambush, ready to strike terror into Absalom's forces. This narrative was intended to delay Absalom's pursuit and ultimately save David.

Key Themes

  • Strategic Deception: Hushai masterfully employs psychological warfare and clever rhetoric to mislead Absalom and his followers. He paints a vivid, terrifying picture of David's potential ambush.
  • David's Reputation as a Warrior: Hushai leverages David's past military prowess and reputation, particularly his ferocity when cornered, to instill fear. He likens David to a "bear robbed of her whelps" (2 Samuel 17:8), reinforcing the idea that David would be hidden and dangerous.
  • Psychological Impact of Initial Defeat: The verse highlights the power of perception and rumor. Hushai argues that even a small initial defeat of Absalom's troops would be magnified into a widespread "slaughter" due to panic and the fear of David's legendary fighting ability. This panic would then spread, demoralizing the entire army.
  • Divine Intervention: Though Hushai's counsel is humanly clever, the ultimate reason for its acceptance over Ahithophel's superior advice is attributed to God's will to bring disaster upon Absalom (2 Samuel 17:14). This demonstrates God's sovereignty even amidst human schemes.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "pit" here is bor (בּוֹר), which can refer to a cistern, dungeon, or a natural hollow. This suggests a hidden, strategic position from which David could launch a surprise attack. The word translated "slaughter" is maggephah (מַגֵּפָה), which means a defeat, plague, or calamity. It implies a widespread, devastating blow, suggesting a panic-induced rout rather than just a tactical loss, amplifying the fear Hushai sought to create.

Practical Application

This passage illustrates several timeless principles:

  • The Power of Reputation: David's established reputation as a warrior was a significant asset, even when he was vulnerable. Our character and past actions often precede us and influence how others perceive situations.
  • Strategic Thinking: Hushai's counsel is a masterclass in strategic thinking, understanding both his opponent's psychology and the long-term implications of different courses of action. It emphasizes the importance of wisdom and discernment in challenging circumstances.
  • God's Sovereignty: While human plans and deceptions are at play, the narrative ultimately reminds us that God is sovereign over all events. Even seemingly random occurrences or cunning plans can be part of His greater design, as seen in Proverbs 21:30: "There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD."
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Cross-References

  • 1 Samuel 14:14 (2 votes)

    And that first slaughter, which Jonathan and his armourbearer made, was about twenty men, within as it were an half acre of land, [which] a yoke [of oxen might plow].

  • 1 Samuel 14:15 (2 votes)

    And there was trembling in the host, in the field, and among all the people: the garrison, and the spoilers, they also trembled, and the earth quaked: so it was a very great trembling.

  • 1 Samuel 22:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when his brethren and all his father's house heard [it], they went down thither to him.

  • Joshua 8:6 (2 votes)

    (For they will come out after us) till we have drawn them from the city; for they will say, They flee before us, as at the first: therefore we will flee before them.

  • 1 Samuel 24:3 (2 votes)

    And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where [was] a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave.

  • Judges 20:32 (2 votes)

    And the children of Benjamin said, They [are] smitten down before us, as at the first. But the children of Israel said, Let us flee, and draw them from the city unto the highways.

  • Judges 20:33 (2 votes)

    And all the men of Israel rose up out of their place, and put themselves in array at Baaltamar: and the liers in wait of Israel came forth out of their places, [even] out of the meadows of Gibeah.