King James Version

What Does 2 Samuel 18:3 Mean?

2 Samuel 18:3 in the King James Version says “But the people answered, Thou shalt not go forth: for if we flee away, they will not care for us; neither if half of us ... — study this verse from 2 Samuel chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

But the people answered, Thou shalt not go forth: for if we flee away, they will not care for us; neither if half of us die, will they care for us: but now thou art worth ten thousand of us: therefore now it is better that thou succour us out of the city. care: Heb. set their heart on us worth: Heb. as ten thousand of us succour: Heb. be to succour or help

2 Samuel 18:3 · KJV


Context

1

And David numbered the people that were with him, and set captains of thousands and captains of hundreds over them.

2

And David sent forth a third part of the people under the hand of Joab, and a third part under the hand of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother, and a third part under the hand of Ittai the Gittite. And the king said unto the people, I will surely go forth with you myself also.

3

But the people answered, Thou shalt not go forth: for if we flee away, they will not care for us; neither if half of us die, will they care for us: but now thou art worth ten thousand of us: therefore now it is better that thou succour us out of the city. care: Heb. set their heart on us worth: Heb. as ten thousand of us succour: Heb. be to succour or help

4

And the king said unto them, What seemeth you best I will do. And the king stood by the gate side, and all the people came out by hundreds and by thousands.

5

And the king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Deal gently for my sake with the young man, even with Absalom. And all the people heard when the king gave all the captains charge concerning Absalom.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
But the people answered, Thou shalt not go forth: for if we flee away, they will not care for us; neither if half of us die, will they care for us: but now thou art worth ten thousand of us: therefore now it is better that thou succour us out of the city.

This verse contributes to the narrative of Absalom's Death, emphasizing tragedy of rebellion. Absalom's death despite David's orders demonstrates the tragic consequences of rebellion against God's anointed. The graphic description of Absalom caught in oak branches suggests divine judgment. David's overwhelming grief ("O my son Absalom") reveals parental love even for rebellious children. Theological themes include the tragedy of rebellion, the reality that sin leads to death, parental love's persistence, and the danger of prioritizing family over kingdom responsibilities.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The historical setting of 2 Samuel 18 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 tragedy of rebellion 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 tragedy of rebellion?
  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 · 31 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר1 of 31

answered

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הָעָ֜ם2 of 31

But the people

H5971

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

לֹ֣א3 of 31
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תֵצֵ֗א4 of 31

Thou shalt not go forth

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

כִּי֩5 of 31
H3588

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

אִם6 of 31
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

נָנ֜וּס7 of 31

away

H5127

to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)

נָנ֜וּס8 of 31

away

H5127

to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)

לֹֽא9 of 31
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יָשִׂ֤ימוּ10 of 31

they will not care

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

אֵלֵ֣ינוּ11 of 31
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

לֵ֗ב12 of 31
H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

וְאִם13 of 31
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

יָמֻ֤תוּ14 of 31

of us die

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

חֶצְיֵ֙נוּ֙15 of 31

for us neither if half

H2677

the half or middle

לֹֽא16 of 31
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יָשִׂ֤ימוּ17 of 31

they will not care

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

אֵלֵ֙ינוּ֙18 of 31
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

לֵ֔ב19 of 31
H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

כִּֽי20 of 31
H3588

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

עַתָּ֥ה21 of 31
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

כָמֹ֖נוּ22 of 31

for us but now thou art worth

H3644

as, thus, so

עֲשָׂרָ֣ה23 of 31

ten

H6235

ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits)

אֲלָפִ֑ים24 of 31

thousand

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

וְעַתָּ֣ה25 of 31
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

ט֔וֹב26 of 31

of us therefore now it is better

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

כִּֽי27 of 31
H3588

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

תִֽהְיֶה28 of 31
H1961

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

לָּ֥נוּ29 of 31
H0
מֵעִ֖יר30 of 31

us out of the city

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

לַעְזֽיר׃31 of 31

that thou succour

H5826

to surround, i.e., protect or aid


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 18:3 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 18:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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