2 Samuel 17

17:1-14 Ahithophel proposed a quick surprise strike against David with a small force (12,000 men, 17:1), which would give David no time to organize and fight back. Then David’s double-agent Hushai suggested taking more time to mobilize the entire army of Israel (17:11). This plan would supposedly give them an insurmountable numerical advantage and prevent David from engaging in guerilla tactics. Because the Lord was working against Absalom, he rejected Ahithophel’s good strategy and accepted Hushai’s bad advice (17:14; cp. 1 Kgs 12:1-15).

17:3 as a bride . . . you seek: The Hebrew text has the loyalty of all the people depend on the death of David. The Greek version pictures a young wife who returns to her husband after a short quarrel.

17:11 The nationwide military conscription from . . . Dan to Beersheba (the northern and southern limits of Israel) was intended to produce an overwhelmingly superior fighting force.

17:14 Ahithophel’s strategy was actually better. However, Hushai had the psychological and rhetorical advantage as well as the Lord’s purpose, so he won Absalom’s favor. • the Lord had determined to defeat: Despite early advances, Absalom’s power grab was doomed from the start.

17:17 Jonathan and Ahimaaz: See 15:27, 36. • The location of En-rogel is uncertain, but it cannot have been too far east of Jerusalem.

17:18-20 Bahurim was the home of Shimei, the pro-Saul Benjaminite (16:5; 19:16). Shimei’s cursing of David at Bahurim reflected David’s decline, while the escape of Ahimaaz and Jonathan pictured the hope of David’s resurgence.

17:23 hanged himself: Ahithophel foresaw David’s victory and Absalom’s undoing, and he preferred to die by his own hand rather than by David’s.

17:24 Mahanaim, once the capital city of Ishbosheth and Abner (2:8, 12, 29), became David’s base of operations.

17:25 According to 1 Chr 2:15-16, Abigail and Zeruiah were David’s sisters. But since Abigail is called the daughter of Nahash, she and Zeruiah were apparently David’s half sisters (Nahash was probably their father; his widow would then have married Jesse and given birth to David and his brothers).

17:27 Shobi was probably the brother of Hanun, who had humiliated David’s messengers after the death of Nahash (ch 10; see study note on 10:1-5). • Makir was Mephibosheth’s host before David summoned him (9:4-5). • Barzillai of Gilead was probably not the same as Barzillai from Meholah (21:8).