Instead, I advise that all Israel from Dan to Beersheba--a multitude like the sand on the seashore--be gathered to you, and that you yourself lead them into battle. Instead, I adviseThis phrase marks a pivotal moment in the narrative, where Hushai, David's loyal friend, offers counsel to Absalom. The Hebrew root for "advise" is "ya'ats," which implies giving counsel or purpose. In the context of ancient Israel, advice from a counselor was highly esteemed, often seen as divinely inspired. Hushai's advice is strategic, aiming to protect David by countering Ahithophel's counsel. that all Israel
The phrase "all Israel" signifies the unity and collective strength of the nation. Historically, Israel was a confederation of tribes, and the call for all Israel to gather underscores the magnitude of the proposed military action. It reflects the political and social dynamics of the time, where tribal allegiance played a crucial role in national decisions. from Dan to Beersheba
This expression is a geographical idiom used throughout the Old Testament to denote the entire land of Israel, from its northernmost city, Dan, to its southernmost, Beersheba. It emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the gathering, suggesting a full mobilization of the nation. Archaeological findings in these regions reveal their significance as boundary markers in ancient Israel. a multitude like the sand on the seashore
This simile is a hyperbolic expression used in Hebrew literature to convey an innumerable quantity. It echoes God's promise to Abraham in Genesis 22:17, where his descendants are compared to the sand on the seashore. This imagery not only highlights the vastness of the proposed army but also invokes the covenantal promises of God to His people. be gathered to you
The act of gathering implies a centralization of power and unity under a single leader. In the context of ancient warfare, assembling an army was a significant logistical and political endeavor. The Hebrew word "asaph" for "gathered" suggests a deliberate and purposeful assembly, indicating Absalom's intent to consolidate his power. and that you yourself lead them into battle
This phrase places the responsibility and honor of leadership directly on Absalom. The emphasis on "you yourself" underscores the personal involvement and commitment required of a leader. In the historical context, kings were expected to lead their troops, symbolizing their role as both political and military leaders. This advice appeals to Absalom's ambition and desire for legitimacy as king. Persons / Places / Events 1. AbsalomThe son of King David who rebelled against his father, seeking to usurp the throne of Israel. 2. AhithophelA counselor to Absalom, known for his wise advice, who suggested a swift attack on David. 3. Hushai the ArchiteA friend of David who infiltrated Absalom's court to counter Ahithophel's counsel. 4. Dan to BeershebaA phrase denoting the entire nation of Israel, from its northernmost to southernmost points. 5. The BattleThe context of the advice given by Hushai, suggesting a large-scale mobilization of Israel against David. Teaching Points The Wisdom of God vs. Human CounselHushai's advice, though seemingly less strategic, was used by God to protect David. This demonstrates that God's wisdom surpasses human understanding. The Importance of Loyalty and FriendshipHushai's loyalty to David exemplifies the value of faithful friendships and alliances in times of crisis. God's Sovereignty in Human AffairsDespite Absalom's rebellion and Ahithophel's counsel, God's sovereign plan for David's kingship prevailed. Unity and DivisionThe call to gather all Israel highlights the potential for unity, but also the danger of division when led by ungodly motives. The Consequences of RebellionAbsalom's rebellion serves as a cautionary tale about the destructive nature of pride and ambition against God's anointed. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Hushai's advice reflect God's intervention in the plans of men, and what does this teach us about trusting God's sovereignty in our own lives? 2. In what ways can we cultivate loyalty and faithfulness in our relationships, as seen in Hushai's commitment to David? 3. How does the phrase "from Dan to Beersheba" help us understand the scope of God's promises and the unity of His people? 4. What lessons can we learn from Absalom's rebellion about the dangers of pride and ambition, and how can we guard against these in our own lives? 5. How can we apply the principle of seeking God's wisdom over human counsel in our decision-making processes today? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 22:17The promise to Abraham about his descendants being as numerous as the sand on the seashore, highlighting the fulfillment of God's promise in the growth of Israel. 1 Kings 4:20Describes the population of Israel during Solomon's reign, emphasizing the vastness of the nation. Psalm 33:10-11Speaks of the Lord's ability to thwart the plans of nations, relevant to the thwarting of Ahithophel's counsel. Proverbs 19:21Highlights that many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails, applicable to the unfolding events in Absalom's rebellion. People Abiathar, Abigail, Absalom, Ahimaaz, Ahithophel, Amasa, Ammiel, Ammonites, Arkite, Barzillai, Dan, David, Hushai, Ithra, Jesse, Jether, Joab, Jonathan, Machir, Nahash, Shobi, Zadok, ZeruiahPlaces Bahurim, Beersheba, Dan, En-rogel, Gilead, Jerusalem, Jordan River, Lo-debar, Mahanaim, Rabbah, RogelimTopics Abundance, Army, Battle, Beersheba, Beer-sheba, Counsel, Counselled, Dan, Diligently, Gathered, Generally, Leading, Midst, Multitude, Numerous, Personally, Sand, Sands, Seashore, Shouldst, Speedily, Suggestion, Surely, ThyselfDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Samuel 17:11 4360 sand 2 Samuel 17:1-16 5779 advice Library "The King Kissed Barzillai. " 2 Sam. xix. 39
And no wonder, for David could appreciate a real man when he saw him, and so does David's Lord. I.--LOYALTY IS PRECIOUS TO THE KING OF KINGS. In the days when the son of Jesse had but few friends, it was a precious thing to be treated in the style Barzillai and his neighbours entertained him (see 2 Sam. xvii. 27-29). They were rich farmers, and had land which brought forth with abundance, so were able to act with princely hospitality to the fugitive monarch. But plenty may live with avarice, and …
Thomas Champness—Broken BreadThe Nations of the South-East
Israel was cut in two by the Jordan. The districts east of the Jordan were those that had first been conquered; it was from thence that the followers of Joshua had gone forth to possess themselves of Canaan. But this division of the territory was a source of weakness. The interests of the tribes on the two sides of the river were never quite the same; at times indeed they were violently antagonistic. When the disruption of the monarchy came after the death of Solomon, Judah was the stronger for the …
Archibald Sayce—Early Israel and the Surrounding Nations Barzillai
BY REV. GEORGE MILLIGAN, M.A., D.D. "There is nothing," says Socrates to Cephalus in the Republic, "I like better than conversing with aged men. For I regard them as travellers who have gone a journey which I too may have to go, and of whom it is right to learn the character of the way, whether it is rugged or difficult, or smooth and easy" (p. 328 E.). It is to such an aged traveller that we are introduced in the person of Barzillai the Gileadite. And though he is one of the lesser-known characters …
George Milligan—Men of the Bible; Some Lesser-Known Continued.
In addition to the psalms already considered, which are devoted to the devout contemplation of nature, and stand in close connection with David's early days, there still remains one universally admitted to be his. The twenty-ninth psalm, like both the preceding, has to do with the glory of God as revealed in the heavens, and with earth only as the recipient of skyey influences; but while these breathed the profoundest tranquillity, as they watched the silent splendour of the sun, and the peace of …
Alexander Maclaren—The Life of David David and Jonathan's Son
'And David said, is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan's sake? 2. And there was of the house of Saul a servant whose name was Ziba. And when they had called him unto David, the king said unto him, Art thou Ziba? And he said, Thy servant is he. 3. And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet. 4. And the …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Mr. John Bunyan's Dying Sayings.
OF SIN. Sin is the great block and bar to our happiness, the procurer of all miseries to man, both here and hereafter: take away sin and nothing can hurt us: for death, temporal, spiritual, and eternal, is the wages of it. Sin, and man for sin, is the object of the wrath of God. How dreadful, therefore, must his case be who continues in sin! For who can bear or grapple with the wrath of God? No sin against God can be little, because it is against the great God of heaven and earth; but if the sinner …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Letter xxxvi (Circa A. D. 1131) to the Same Hildebert, who had not yet Acknowledged the Lord Innocent as Pope.
To the Same Hildebert, Who Had Not Yet Acknowledged the Lord Innocent as Pope. He exhorts him to recognise Innocent, now an exile in France, owing to the schism of Peter Leonis, as the rightful Pontiff. To the great prelate, most exalted in renown, Hildebert, by the grace of God Archbishop of Tours, Bernard, called Abbot of Clairvaux, sends greeting, and prays that he may walk in the Spirit, and spiritually discern all things. 1. To address you in the words of the prophet, Consolation is hid from …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux King of Kings and Lord of Lords
And He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, K ING OF K INGS AND L ORD OF L ORDS T he description of the administration and glory of the Redeemer's Kingdom, in defiance of all opposition, concludes the second part of Messiah Oratorio. Three different passages from the book of Revelation are selected to form a grand chorus, of which Handel's title in this verse is the close --a title which has been sometimes vainly usurped by proud worms of this earth. Eastern monarchs, in particular, …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2 Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire from 745 to 722 B. C.
TIGLATH-PILESER III. AND THE ORGANISATION OF THE ASSYRIAN EMPIRE FROM 745 to 722 B.C. FAILURE OF URARTU AND RE-CONQUEST Of SYRIA--EGYPT AGAIN UNITED UNDER ETHIOPIAN AUSPICES--PIONKHI--THE DOWNFALL OF DAMASCUS, OF BABYLON, AND OF ISRAEL. Assyria and its neighbours at the accession of Tiglath-pileser III.: progress of the Aramaeans in the basin of the Middle Tigris--Urartu and its expansion into the north of Syria--Damascus and Israel--Vengeance of Israel on Damascus--Jeroboam II.--Civilisation …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7 Samuel
Alike from the literary and the historical point of view, the book[1] of Samuel stands midway between the book of Judges and the book of Kings. As we have already seen, the Deuteronomic book of Judges in all probability ran into Samuel and ended in ch. xii.; while the story of David, begun in Samuel, embraces the first two chapters of the first book of Kings. The book of Samuel is not very happily named, as much of it is devoted to Saul and the greater part to David; yet it is not altogether inappropriate, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 2 Samuel 17:11 NIV2 Samuel 17:11 NLT2 Samuel 17:11 ESV2 Samuel 17:11 NASB2 Samuel 17:11 KJV
2 Samuel 17:11 Commentaries
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