King James Version

What Does 2 Samuel 17:16 Mean?

2 Samuel 17:16 in the King James Version says “Now therefore send quickly, and tell David, saying, Lodge not this night in the plains of the wilderness, but speedily p... — study this verse from 2 Samuel chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Now therefore send quickly, and tell David, saying, Lodge not this night in the plains of the wilderness, but speedily pass over; lest the king be swallowed up, and all the people that are with him.

2 Samuel 17:16 · KJV


Context

14

And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel. For the LORD had appointed to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that the LORD might bring evil upon Absalom. appointed: Heb. commanded

15

Then said Hushai unto Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, Thus and thus did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the elders of Israel; and thus and thus have I counselled.

16

Now therefore send quickly, and tell David, saying, Lodge not this night in the plains of the wilderness, but speedily pass over; lest the king be swallowed up, and all the people that are with him.

17

Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz stayed by Enrogel; for they might not be seen to come into the city: and a wench went and told them; and they went and told king David.

18

Nevertheless a lad saw them, and told Absalom: but they went both of them away quickly, and came to a man's house in Bahurim, which had a well in his court; whither they went down.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Now therefore send quickly, and tell David, saying, Lodge not this night in the plains of the wilderness, but speedily pass over; lest the king be swallowed up, and all the people that are with him.

This verse contributes to the narrative of Competing Counsel, emphasizing divine providence over human wisdom. The contrast between Ahithophel's shrewd counsel and Hushai's divinely-blessed alternative demonstrates God's providential control over human wisdom. The text explicitly states "the LORD had appointed to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel" (v. 14), emphasizing divine sovereignty. Ahithophel's suicide demonstrates despair when human wisdom fails. Theological themes include God's sovereignty over human planning, divine protection of His anointed, and the inadequacy of worldly wisdom apart from God.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The historical setting of 2 Samuel 17 occurs during David's reign (circa 1010-970 BCE) over Israel's united monarchy. Archaeological discoveries, including the Tel Dan inscription mentioning the 'House of David,' corroborate biblical historicity. Ancient Near Eastern customs regarding divine providence over human wisdom provide crucial background. The geopolitical situation involved regional powers—Philistines, Ammonites, Arameans, Moabites, Edomites—as David consolidated and expanded Israel's territory. Cultural practices concerning kingship, warfare, covenant relationships, family dynamics, and religious observance differed significantly from modern Western contexts, requiring careful attention to avoid anachronistic interpretation while extracting timeless theological principles applicable across cultures and eras.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage deepen your understanding of divine providence over human wisdom?
  2. What does this verse reveal about God's character, and how should that shape your worship and obedience?
  3. In what specific ways can you apply this truth to your current circumstances and relationships this week?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וְעַתָּ֡ה1 of 21
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

שִׁלְח֣וּ2 of 21

Now therefore send

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

מְהֵרָה֩3 of 21

quickly

H4120

properly, a hurry; hence (adverbially) promptly

וְהַגִּ֨ידוּ4 of 21

and tell

H5046

properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to

לְדָוִ֜ד5 of 21

David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

לֵאמֹ֗ר6 of 21

saying

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אַל7 of 21
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תָּ֤לֶן8 of 21

Lodge

H3885

to stop (usually over night); by implication, to stay permanently; hence (in a bad sense) to be obstinate (especially in words, to complain)

הַלַּ֙יְלָה֙9 of 21

not this night

H3915

properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity

בְּעַֽרְב֣וֹת10 of 21

in the plains

H6160

a desert; especially (with the article prefix) the (generally) sterile valley of the jordan and its continuation to the red sea

הַמִּדְבָּ֔ר11 of 21

of the wilderness

H4057

a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert

וְגַ֖ם12 of 21
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

תַּֽעֲב֑וֹר13 of 21

but speedily

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

תַּֽעֲב֑וֹר14 of 21

but speedily

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

פֶּ֚ן15 of 21
H6435

properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest

יְבֻלַּ֣ע16 of 21

be swallowed up

H1104

to make away with (specifically by swallowing); generally, to destroy

לַמֶּ֔לֶךְ17 of 21

lest the king

H4428

a king

וּלְכָל18 of 21
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הָעָ֖ם19 of 21

and all the people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

אֲשֶׁ֥ר20 of 21
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

אִתּֽוֹ׃21 of 21
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Samuel 17:16 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Samuel 17:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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