2 Samuel 17 · Verse 1

2 Samuel 17:1

Moreover Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Let me now choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night:

2 Samuel 17:1, King James Version

2 Samuel 17:1 in other translations

BSB	Furthermore, Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Let me choose twelve thousand men and set out tonight in pursuit of David.
WEB	Moreover Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Let me now choose twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David tonight.
ASV	Moreover Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Let me now choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night:
YLT	And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, ‘Let me choose, I pray thee, twelve thousand men, and I arise and pursue after David to-night,
DARBY	And Ahithophel said to Absalom, Let me, I pray, choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David to-night;
BBE	Then Ahithophel said to Absalom, Let me take out twelve thousand men and this very night I will go after David:
Webster	Moreover Ahithophel said to Absalom, Let me now choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night;

What does 2 Samuel 17:1 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Samuel 17:1-11

2Sa 17:1-14. Ahithophel's Counsel Overthrown by Hushai. 1-11. Moreover Ahithophel said unto Absalom--The recommendation to take prompt and decisive measures before the royalist forces could be collected and arranged, evinced the deep political sagacity of this councillor. The adoption of his advice would have extinguished the cause of David; and it affords a dreadful proof of the extremities to which the heartless prince was, to secure his ambitious objects, prepared to go, that the parricidal counsel "pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of Israel." It was happily overruled, however, by the address of Hushai, who saw the imminent danger to which it would expose the king and the royal cause. He dwelt upon the warlike character and military experience of the old king--represented him and his adherents as mighty men, who would fight with desperation; and who, most probably, secure in some stronghold, would be beyond reach, while the smallest loss of Absalom's men at the outset might be fatal to the success of the conspiracy. But his dexterity was chiefly displayed in that part of his counsel which recommended a general levy throughout the country; and that Absalom should take command of it in person--thereby flattering at once the pride and ambition of the usurper. The bait was caught by the vainglorious and wicked prince.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Introduction

Ahithophel counsels Absalom to pursue his father with twelve thousand men, 2Sam 17:1-4. Hushai gives a different counsel, and is followed, 2Sam 17:5-14. Hushai informs Zadok and Abiathar; and they send word to David, 2Sam 17:15-21. David and his men go beyond Jordan, 2Sam 17:22. Ahithophel, finding his counsel slighted, goes home, sets his house in order, and hangs himself, 2Sam 17:23. David moves to Mahanaim; and Absalom follows him over Jordan, 2Sam 17:24-26. Several friends meet David at Mahanaim with refreshments and provisions, 2Sam 17:27-29. Verse 1 Let me now choose out twelve thousand men - Had this counsel been followed, David and his little troop would soon have been destroyed; nothing but the miraculous interposition of God could have saved them. Twelve thousand chosen troops coming against him, in his totally unprepared state, would have soon settled the business of the kingdom. Ahithophel well saw that, this advice neglected, all was lost.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 2 Samuel 17:1-21

Here was a wonderful effect of Divine Providence blinding Absalom's mind and influencing his heart, that he could not rest in Ahithophel's counsel, and that he should desire Hushai's advice. But there is no contending with that God who can arm a man against himself, and destroy him by his own mistakes and passions. Ahithophel's former counsel was followed, for God intended to correct David; but his latter counsel was not followed, for God meant not to destroy him. He can overrule all counsels. Whatever wisdom or help any man employs or affords, the success is from God alone, who will not let his people perish.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

2 Samuel 17:1 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

וַיֹּ֥אמֶרvai.Yo.merand he saidH559

אֲחִיתֹ֖פֶל'a.chi.To.felAhithophelH302

אֶל\־'el-toH413

אַבְשָׁלֹ֑ם'av.sha.LomAbsalomH53

אֶבְחֲרָ֣ה'ev.cha.Rahlet me chooseH977

נָּ֗אNa'pleaseH4994

שְׁנֵים\־she.neim-two [plus]H8147

עָשָׂ֥ר'a.SartenH6240

אֶ֙לֶף֙'e.lefthousandH505

אִ֔ישׁ'IshmanH376

וְאָק֛וּמָהve.'a.Ku.mahand I will ariseH6965

וְאֶרְדְּפָ֥הve.'er.de.Fahand I will pursueH7291

אַחֲרֵי\־'a.cha.rei-afterH310

דָוִ֖דda.VidDavidH1732

הַלָּֽיְלָה\׃ha.La.ye.lahthis nightH3915

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 2 Samuel 17:1

Isaiah 59:7-8
Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths. The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace.
Psalms 4:8
I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.
Proverbs 4:16
For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.
Psalms 3:3-5
But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah. I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me.
Psalms 109:2-4
For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me: they have spoken against me with a lying tongue. They compassed me about also with words of hatred; and fought against me without a cause. For my love they are my adversaries: but I give myself unto prayer.
Proverbs 1:16
For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Ahithophel's counsel is overthrown by Hushai's, according to God's appointment.
15 Secret intelligence is sent unto David.
23 Ahithophel hangs himself.
25 Amasa is made captain.
27 David at Mahanaim is furnished with provisions.

I will arise.
Pr 1:16; 4:16; Isa 59:7,8
this night.
Ps 3:3-5; 4:8; 109:2-4

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

2 Samuel 17:1
Moreover Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Let me now choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night:
2 Samuel 17:2
And I will come upon him while he is weary and weak handed, and will make him afraid: and all the people that are with him shall flee; and I will smite the king only:

Read all of 2 Samuel 17

2 Samuel 17:1 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	ENTONCES Achitophel dijo á Absalom: Yo escogeré ahora doce mil hombres, y me levantaré, y seguiré á David esta noche;
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	Et Akhitophel dit à Absalom: Laisse-moi choisir 12 000 hommes, et je me lèverai, et je poursuivrai David cette nuit;
German Elberfelder 1871	Und Ahitophel sprach zu Absalom: Laß mich doch zwölftausend Mann auslesen, und mich aufmachen und diese Nacht David nachjagen;
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Dixit ergo Achitophel ad Absalom: Eligam mihi duodecim millia virorum, et consurgens persequar David hac nocte.