King James Version

What Does 2 Samuel 17:29 Mean?

2 Samuel 17:29 in the King James Version says “And honey, and butter, and sheep, and cheese of kine, for David, and for the people that were with him, to eat: for they...” — study this verse from 2 Samuel chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

2 Samuel 17:29 · KJV

Context

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 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.

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 · 18 words
וּדְבַ֣שׁ1 of 18

“And honey”

H1706

honey (from its stickiness); by analogy, syrup

וְחֶמְאָ֗ה2 of 18

“and butter”

H2529

curdled milk or cheese

וְצֹאן֙3 of 18

“and sheep”

H6629

a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)

וּשְׁפ֣וֹת4 of 18

“and cheese”

H8194

a cheese (as strained from the whey)

בָּקָ֔ר5 of 18

“of kine”

H1241

a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd

הִגִּ֧ישׁוּ6 of 18
H5066

to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a woman; as an enemy, to attack; religious to worship; causati

לְדָוִ֛ד7 of 18

“for David”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

הָעָ֗ם8 of 18

“The people”

H5971

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

אֲשֶׁר9 of 18
H834

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

אִתּ֖וֹ10 of 18
H854

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

לֶֽאֱכ֑וֹל11 of 18

“that were with him to eat”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

כִּ֣י12 of 18
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אָֽמְר֔וּ13 of 18

“for they said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הָעָ֗ם14 of 18

“The people”

H5971

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

רָעֵ֛ב15 of 18

“is hungry”

H7457

hungry (more or less intensely)

וְעָיֵ֥ף16 of 18

“and weary”

H5889

languid

וְצָמֵ֖א17 of 18

“and thirsty”

H6771

thirsty (literally or figuratively)

בַּמִּדְבָּֽר׃18 of 18

“in the wilderness”

H4057

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

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 17:29 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 17:29 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Samuel 16:22 Samuel 16:14Isaiah 21:141 Samuel 17:18Isaiah 58:7Luke 8:3

Test Your Knowledge

2 Samuel 17 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter2 Samuel Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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