2 Samuel 17:1
◄  2 Samuel 17:1  ►
New International Version (©2011)
Ahithophel said to Absalom, "I would choose twelve thousand men and set out tonight in pursuit of David.

New Living Translation (©2007)
Now Ahithophel urged Absalom, "Let me choose 12,000 men to start out after David tonight.

English Standard Version (©2001)
Moreover, Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Let me choose twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue David tonight.

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
Furthermore, Ahithophel said to Absalom, "Please let me choose 12,000 men that I may arise and pursue David tonight.

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
Moreover Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Let me now choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night:

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
Ahithophel said to Absalom, "Let me choose 12,000 men, and I will set out in pursuit of David tonight.

International Standard Version (©2012)
"Give me 12,000 men! I'll leave tonight and pursue David," Ahithophel advised Absalom.

NET Bible (©2006)
Ahithophel said to Absalom, "Let me pick out twelve thousand men. Then I will go and pursue David this very night.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
Ahithophel said to Absalom, "Let me choose 12,000 men and leave tonight to go after David.

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
Moreover Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Let me now choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night:

American King James Version
Moreover Ahithophel said to Absalom, Let me now choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night:

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

Douay-Rheims Bible
And Achitophel said to Absalom: I will choose me twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night.

Darby Bible Translation
And Ahithophel said to Absalom, Let me, I pray, choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David to-night;

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

Webster's Bible Translation
Moreover Ahithophel said to Absalom, Let me now choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night;

World English Bible
Moreover Ahithophel said to Absalom, "Let me now choose twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David tonight.

Young's Literal Translation
And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, 'Let me choose, I pray thee, twelve thousand men, and I arise and pursue after David to-night,

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

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.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Moreover, Ahithophel said unto Absalom,.... Either at the same time, or quickly after he had given the foregoing advice:

let me now choose out twelve thousand men: out of those that were with Absalom, which shows their number to be large; and twelve thousand are pitched upon with respect to the twelve tribes of Israel, a thousand from every tribe; Josephus has only ten thousand:

and I will arise and pursue after David this night; he took upon him to be general of the army, as well as a counsellor; or this he said to show how confident he was of the success of his counsel, that if Absalom, or any other, should decline the conduct of the army upon it, as a hazardous attempt, he would undertake it himself; or rather it may be, he was not willing that Absalom should go out in person with the army, not so much for his own safety, as lest through his affection for the king he should spare him, when he fell into his hands, or they two should be reconciled; he proposed to do it that night, partly for expedition, no time being to be lost, and partly for the greater surprise of David and his men.

2 Samuel 17:1 Parallel Commentaries
Bible Hub: Online Parallel Bible


Hushai Counters Ahithophel's Advice
1Moreover Ahithophel said to Absalom, Let me now choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night: 2And I will come on 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: 3And I will bring back all the people to you: the man whom you seek is as if all returned: so all the people shall be in peace. …

2 Samuel 16:23 Now in those days the advice Ahithophel gave was like that of one who inquires of God. That was how both David and Absalom regarded all of Ahithophel's advice.
2 Samuel 17:2 I would attack him while he is weary and weak. I would strike him with terror, and then all the people with him will flee. I would strike down only the king