2 Samuel 15:17
New International Version
So the king set out, with all the people following him, and they halted at the edge of the city.

New Living Translation
The king and all his people set out on foot, pausing at the last house

English Standard Version
And the king went out, and all the people after him. And they halted at the last house.

Berean Standard Bible
So the king set out with all the people following him. He stopped at the last house,

King James Bible
And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off.

New King James Version
And the king went out with all the people after him, and stopped at the outskirts.

New American Standard Bible
The king left, and all the people with him, and they stopped at the last house.

NASB 1995
The king went out and all the people with him, and they stopped at the last house.

NASB 1977
And the king went out and all the people with him, and they stopped at the last house.

Legacy Standard Bible
And the king went out and all the people with him, and they stopped at the last house.

Amplified Bible
The king left, and all the people with him, and they stopped at the last house.

Christian Standard Bible
So the king set out, and all the people followed him. They stopped at the last house

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So the king set out, and all the people followed him. They stopped at the last house

American Standard Version
And the king went forth, and all the people after him; and they tarried in Beth-merhak.

English Revised Version
And the king went forth, and all the people after him; and they tarried in Beth-merhak.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
As the king and his troops were leaving the city on foot, they stopped at the last house.

Good News Translation
As the king and all his men were leaving the city, they stopped at the last house.

International Standard Version
The king left, along with all of his people with him, and they paused at the last house.

Majority Standard Bible
So the king set out with all the people following him. He stopped at the last house,

NET Bible
The king and all the people set out on foot, pausing at a spot some distance away.

New Heart English Bible
So the king went out with all his servants following him, and they stopped at the last house.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off.

World English Bible
The king went out, and all the people after him; and they stayed in Beth Merhak.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the king goes out, and all the people at his feet, and they stand still at the farthest off house.

Young's Literal Translation
And the king goeth out, and all the people at his feet, and they stand still at the farthest off house.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the king will go forth, and all the people at his feet, and they will stand in a house far off.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the king going forth and all Israel on foot, stood afar off from the house:

Catholic Public Domain Version
And having gone forth on foot, the king and all of Israel stood at a distance from the house.

New American Bible
As the king left the city, with all his officers accompanying him, they halted opposite the ascent of the Mount of Olives, at a distance,

New Revised Standard Version
The king left, followed by all the people; and they stopped at the last house.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the king went forth and all the people after him, and they halted in a place at a distance from the city.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the King went out and all the people at his feet, and they stood at a distance
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the king went forth, and all the people after him; and they tarried in Beth-merhak.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the king and all his servants went out on foot; and abode in a distant house.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David Flees Jerusalem
16Then the king set out, and his entire household followed him. But he left behind ten concubines to take care of the palace. 17So the king set out with all the people following him. He stopped at the last house, 18and all his servants marched past him—all the Cherethites and Pelethites, and six hundred Gittites who had followed him from Gath.…

Cross References
2 Samuel 16:13
So David and his men proceeded along the road as Shimei went along the ridge of the hill opposite him. As Shimei went, he yelled curses, threw stones, and flung dust at David.

2 Samuel 19:15-18
So the king returned, and when he arrived at the Jordan, the men of Judah came to Gilgal to meet him and escort him across the Jordan. / Then Shimei son of Gera, a Benjamite from Bahurim, hurried down with the men of Judah to meet King David, / along with a thousand men of Benjamin, as well as Ziba the steward of the house of Saul and his fifteen sons and twenty servants. They rushed down to the Jordan before the king ...

1 Kings 2:37
On the day you go out and cross the Kidron Valley, know for sure that you will die; your blood will be on your own head.”

1 Kings 2:42
the king summoned Shimei and said to him, “Did I not make you swear by the LORD and warn you, ‘On the day you leave and go elsewhere, know for sure that you will die’? And you told me, ‘The sentence is fair; I will comply.’

2 Samuel 16:5-6
As King David approached Bahurim, a man from the family of the house of Saul was just coming out. His name was Shimei son of Gera, and as he approached, he kept yelling out curses. / He threw stones at David and at all the servants of the king, though the troops and all the mighty men were on David’s right and left.

2 Samuel 19:9-10
And all the people throughout the tribes of Israel were arguing, “The king rescued us from the hand of our enemies and delivered us from the hand of the Philistines, but now he has fled the land because of Absalom. / But Absalom, the man we anointed over us, has died in battle. So why do you say nothing about restoring the king?”

2 Samuel 19:41-43
Soon all the men of Israel came to the king and asked, “Why did our brothers, the men of Judah, take you away secretly and bring the king and his household across the Jordan, together with all of David’s men?” / And all the men of Judah replied to the men of Israel, “We did this because the king is our relative. Why does this anger you? Have we ever eaten at the king’s expense or received anything for ourselves?” / “We have ten shares in the king,” answered the men of Israel, “so we have more claim to David than you. Why then do you despise us? Were we not the first to speak of restoring our king?” But the men of Judah spoke more fiercely than the men of Israel.

2 Samuel 20:1-2
Now a worthless man named Sheba son of Bichri, a Benjamite, happened to be there, and he blew the ram’s horn and shouted: “We have no share in David, no inheritance in Jesse’s son. Every man to his tent, O Israel!” / So all the men of Israel deserted David to follow Sheba son of Bichri. But the men of Judah stayed by their king all the way from the Jordan to Jerusalem.

2 Samuel 20:6
And David said to Abishai, “Now Sheba the son of Bichri will do us more harm than Absalom. Take your lord’s servants and pursue him, or he will find fortified cities and elude us.”

2 Samuel 20:22
Then the woman went to all the people with her wise counsel, and they cut off the head of Sheba son of Bichri and threw it to Joab. So he blew the ram’s horn and his men dispersed from the city, each to his own home. And Joab returned to the king in Jerusalem.

Matthew 24:16
then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.

Mark 13:14
So when you see the abomination of desolation standing where it should not be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.

Luke 21:21
Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country stay out of the city.

John 18:1
After Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciples across the Kidron Valley, where they entered a garden.

John 18:4
Jesus, knowing all that was coming upon Him, stepped forward and asked them, “Whom are you seeking?”


Treasury of Scripture

And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off.

went forth

Psalm 3:1,2
A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son. LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me…

Psalm 66:12
Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.

Ecclesiastes 10:7
I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.

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Beth Distance Far Farthest Feet Following Forth Halted House Last Remote Servants Stand Stop Stopped Tarried
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Beth Distance Far Farthest Feet Following Forth Halted House Last Remote Servants Stand Stop Stopped Tarried
2 Samuel 15
1. Absalom, by fair speeches and courtesies, steals the hearts of Israel.
7. By pretense of a vow, he obtains leave to go to Hebron
10. He makes there a great conspiracy
13. David upon the news flees from Jerusalem
19. Ittai will leave him
24. Zadok and Abiathar are sent back with the ark
30. David and his company go up mount Olivet weeping,
31. He curses Ahithophel's counsel
32. Hushai is sent back with instructions














So the king set out
This phrase marks a pivotal moment in King David's life, highlighting his departure from Jerusalem. The Hebrew word for "set out" is "yatsa," which often signifies a journey or an exodus. This departure is not just physical but also symbolic of David's humility and reliance on God during times of trial. Historically, this moment reflects David's willingness to leave the comfort of his palace, demonstrating his leadership and trust in God's plan, even when faced with betrayal by his son Absalom.

with all the people following him
The phrase underscores the loyalty and support David commanded among his followers. The Hebrew term "halak" for "following" implies a continuous action, suggesting that the people were not just physically accompanying David but were also spiritually and emotionally aligned with him. This loyalty is significant, as it reflects the deep bond between David and his people, a bond rooted in shared faith and trust in God's covenant with Israel.

and they stopped
The act of stopping is captured by the Hebrew word "amad," which can mean to stand or to pause. This pause is a moment of reflection and decision-making. It signifies a temporary halt in their journey, allowing David and his followers to gather their thoughts and seek God's guidance. In a broader spiritual context, it reminds believers of the importance of pausing in the midst of trials to seek divine direction and strength.

at the last house
The "last house" represents the edge of the city, a boundary between the known and the unknown. In Hebrew, "bayit" means house, but it also conveys a sense of family and belonging. This location is significant as it symbolizes the transition from the security of Jerusalem to the uncertainty of the wilderness. It serves as a metaphor for the believer's journey of faith, where stepping out in trust often means leaving behind comfort and security to embrace God's greater purpose.

(17) Tarried in a place that was far off.--Better, halted at the far house, i.e., at a definite place known by this name, probably the last house on the outskirts of the city before the road crossed the Kidron. Here David mustered his forces and made the arrangements for his flight.

Verse 17. - And tarried in a place that was far off; Revised Version, in Beth-merhak. "The Far House" - so we may translate this proper name - was probably not a dwelling, but a pavilion overlooking the Kidron valley; and here David halted his household until all were assembled, and arrangements made for their journey. Here, too, the bodyguard would gather, and they would cross the Kidron only when everything was ready for their orderly progress. Confusion at such a time would breed a panic and invite an attack.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So the king
הַמֶּ֛לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

set out
וַיֵּצֵ֥א (way·yê·ṣê)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

with all
וְכָל־ (wə·ḵāl)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the people
הָעָ֖ם (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

following him.
בְּרַגְלָ֑יו (bə·raḡ·lāw)
Preposition-b | Noun - fdc | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7272: A foot, a step, the pudenda

[He] stopped
וַיַּעַמְד֖וּ (way·ya·‘am·ḏū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations

at
בֵּ֥ית (bêṯ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's Hebrew

the last house,
הַמֶּרְחָֽק׃ (ham·mer·ḥāq)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1023: Beth-ham-Merchak, a place in Palestine -- place that was far off


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OT History: 2 Samuel 15:17 The king went forth and all (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
2 Samuel 15:16
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