King James Version

What Does 2 Samuel 17:27 Mean?

2 Samuel 17:27 in the King James Version says “And it came to pass, when David was come to Mahanaim, that Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon, a...” — study this verse from 2 Samuel chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And it came to pass, when David was come to Mahanaim, that Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and Machir the son of Ammiel of Lodebar, and Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim,”

2 Samuel 17:27 · KJV

Context

25

And Absalom made Amasa captain of the host instead of Joab: which Amasa was a man's son, whose name was Ithra an Israelite, that went in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah Joab's mother.

26

So Israel and Absalom pitched in the land of Gilead.

27

And it came to pass, when David was come to Mahanaim, that Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and Machir the son of Ammiel of Lodebar, and Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim,

28

Brought beds, and basons, and earthen vessels, and wheat, and barley, and flour, and parched corn, and beans, and lentiles, and parched pulse, basons: or, cups

29

And honey, and butter, and sheep, and cheese of kine, for David, and for the people that were with him, to eat: for they said, The people is hungry, and weary, and thirsty, in the wilderness.

Read 2 Samuel 17 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And it came to pass, when David was come to Mahanaim, that Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and Machir the son of Ammiel of Lo-debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim,

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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

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 · 18 words
וַיְהִ֕י1 of 18
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

כְּב֥וֹא2 of 18

“was come”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

דָוִ֖ד3 of 18

“And it came to pass when David”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

מַֽחֲנָ֑יְמָה4 of 18

“to Mahanaim”

H4266

machanajim, a place in palestine

וְשֹׁבִ֨י5 of 18

“that Shobi”

H7629

shobi, an ammonite

בֶּן6 of 18

“of the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

נָחָ֜שׁ7 of 18

“of Nahash”

H5176

nachash, the name of two persons apparently non-israelite

מֵֽרַבַּ֣ת8 of 18

“of Rabbah”

H7237

rabbah, the name of two places in palestine, east and west

בֶּן9 of 18

“of the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

עַמּ֗וֹן10 of 18

“of Ammon”

H5983

ammon, a son of lot; also his posterity and their country

וּמָכִ֤יר11 of 18

“and Machir”

H4353

makir, an israelite

בֶּן12 of 18

“of the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

עַמִּיאֵל֙13 of 18

“of Ammiel”

H5988

ammiel, the name of three or four israelites

מִלֹּ֣א14 of 18
H0
דְבָ֔ר15 of 18

“of Lodebar”

H3810

lo-debar, a place in palestine

וּבַרְזִלַּ֥י16 of 18

“and Barzillai”

H1271

barzillai, the name of three israelites

הַגִּלְעָדִ֖י17 of 18

“the Gileadite”

H1569

a giladite or descendant of gilad

מֵרֹֽגְלִֽים׃18 of 18

“of Rogelim”

H7274

rogelim, a place east of the jordan

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 17:27 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 17:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Kings 2:72 Samuel 9:42 Samuel 10:1-21 Samuel 11:1Ezra 2:612 Samuel 12:26

Places in This Verse

AmmonRegion · Modern: Amman · 31.95°N, 35.93°E106 verses across 19 books
Gilead 1Region · Modern: Tell edh Dhahab esh Sherqiyeh · 32.19°N, 35.69°E86 verses across 21 books
Lo-debarSettlement · Modern: Tel Dover · 32.68°N, 35.63°E4 verses across 2 books
MahanaimSettlement · Modern: Tell edh Dhahab el Gharbi · 32.19°N, 35.69°E16 verses across 6 books
Rabbah 1Settlement · Modern: Amman · 31.95°N, 35.93°E17 verses across 7 books
RogelimSettlement · Modern: Zaharet · 32.53°N, 35.78°E2 verses across 1 book
View all places in 2 Samuel 17 →

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