2 Samuel 17:11 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.

Bible > 2 Samuel > Chapter 17 > Verse 11

◄ 2 Samuel 17:11 ►

New International Version
“So I advise you: Let all Israel, from Dan to Beersheba—as numerous as the sand on the seashore—be gathered to you, with you yourself leading them into battle.

New Living Translation
“I recommend that you mobilize the entire army of Israel, bringing them from as far away as Dan in the north and Beersheba in the south. That way you will have an army as numerous as the sand on the seashore. And I advise that you personally lead the troops.

English Standard Version
But my counsel is that all Israel be gathered to you, from Dan to Beersheba, as the sand by the sea for multitude, and that you go to battle in person.

Berean Standard Bible
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.

King James Bible
Therefore I counsel that all Israel be generally gathered unto thee, from Dan even to Beersheba, as the sand that is by the sea for multitude; and that thou go to battle in thine own person.

New King James Version
Therefore I advise that all Israel be fully gathered to you, from Dan to Beersheba, like the sand that is by the sea for multitude, and that you go to battle in person.

New American Standard Bible
But I advise that all Israel be fully gathered to you, from Dan even to Beersheba, like the sand that is by the sea in abundance; and that you personally go into battle.

NASB 1995
“But I counsel that all Israel be surely gathered to you, from Dan even to Beersheba, as the sand that is by the sea in abundance, and that you personally go into battle.

NASB 1977
“But I counsel that all Israel be surely gathered to you, from Dan even to Beersheba, as the sand that is by the sea in abundance, and that you personally go into battle.

Legacy Standard Bible
But I counsel that all Israel be utterly gathered to you, from Dan even to Beersheba, as the sand that is by the sea in abundance, and that you personally go into battle.

Amplified Bible
But I advise that all [the men of] Israel be summoned to you, from Dan [in the north] to Beersheba [in the south], like the sand that is by the sea in abundance, and that you personally go into battle.

Christian Standard Bible
Instead, I advise that all Israel from Dan to Beer-sheba—as numerous as the sand by the sea —be gathered to you and that you personally go into battle.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Instead, I advise that all Israel from Dan to Beer-sheba—as numerous as the sand by the sea—be gathered to you and that you personally go into battle.

American Standard Version
But I counsel that all Israel be gathered together unto thee, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, as the sand that is by the sea for multitude; and that thou go to battle in thine own person.

Contemporary English Version
My advice is to gather all the fighting men of Israel from the town of Dan in the north down to the town of Beersheba in the south. You will have more soldiers than there are grains of sand on the seashore. Absalom, you should lead them yourself,

English Revised Version
But I counsel that all Israel be gathered together unto thee, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, as the sand that is by the sea for multitude; and that thou go to battle in thine own person.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
So my advice is to gather all Israel's troops from Dan to Beersheba, since they are as numerous as the sand on the seashore. Lead them into battle yourself.

Good News Translation
My advice is that you bring all the Israelites together from one end of the country to the other, as many as the grains of sand on the seashore, and that you lead them personally in battle.

International Standard Version
So here's my advice: Muster everybody from one end of the country to the other! You'll have an army in number like the sand on the seashore! Then you'll go into battle!

Majority Standard Bible
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.

NET Bible
My advice therefore is this: Let all Israel from Dan to Beer Sheba--in number like the sand by the sea!--be mustered to you, and you lead them personally into battle.

New Heart English Bible
But, I strongly advise as follows: Let all Israel be gathered to you from Dan to Beersheba, as the sand that is by the sea in number, and that you personally go into battle.

Webster's Bible Translation
Therefore I counsel that all Israel should be generally gathered to thee, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, as the sand that is by the sea for multitude; and that thou shouldst go to battle in thy own person.

World English Bible
But I counsel that all Israel be gathered together to you, from Dan even to Beersheba, as the sand that is by the sea for multitude; and that you go to battle in your own person.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
So that I have counseled: let all Israel be diligently gathered to you, from Dan even to Beer-Sheba, as the sand that [is] by the sea for multitude, and you yourself are going in the midst;

Young's Literal Translation
So that I have counselled: Let all Israel be diligently gathered unto thee, from Dan even unto Beer-Sheba, as the sand that is by the sea for multitude, and thou thyself art going in the midst;

Smith's Literal Translation
For I counseled being gathered, all Israel shall be gathered to thee from Dan and even to the Well of the Oath, as the sand which is upon the sea for multitude; and thy face going in the midst of them.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
But this seemeth to me to be good counsel: Let all Israel be gathered to thee, from Dan to Bersabee, as the sand of the sea which cannot be numbered: and thou shalt be in the midst of them.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But this seems to me to be the right counsel: Let all of Israel be gathered to you, from Dan to Beersheba, like the sand of the sea which is innumerable. And you will be in their midst.

New American Bible
This is what I counsel: Let all Israel be assembled, from Dan to Beer-sheba, as numerous as the sands by the sea, and you yourself go with them.

New Revised Standard Version
But my counsel is that all Israel be gathered to you, from Dan to Beer-sheba, like the sand by the sea for multitude, and that you go to battle in person.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
Therefore I counsel that when all Israel is gathered to you from Dan to Beer-sheba, then you yourself march in their midst.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
I counsel that when all Israel are assembled to you from Dan and unto Bar Sheba, and you go on in the middle

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
But I counsel that all Israel be gathered together unto thee, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, as the sand that is by the sea for multitude; and that thou go to battle in thine own person.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
For thus I have surely given counsel, that all Israel be generally gathered to thee from Dan even to Bersabee, as the sand that is upon the sea-shore for multitude: and that thy presence go in the midst of them.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Hushai Counters Ahithophel's Advice
…10Then even the most valiant soldier with the heart of a lion will melt with fear, because all Israel knows that your father is a mighty man who has valiant men with him. 11Instead, 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. 12Then we will attack David wherever we find him, and we will descend on him like dew on the ground. And of all the men with him, not even one will remain.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Judges 20:1-2
Then all the Israelites from Dan to Beersheba and from the land of Gilead came out, and the congregation assembled as one man before the LORD at Mizpah. / The leaders of all the people and all the tribes of Israel presented themselves in the assembly of God’s people: 400,000 men on foot, armed with swords.

1 Samuel 11:8
And when Saul numbered them at Bezek, there were 300,000 Israelites and 30,000 men of Judah.

1 Samuel 15:4
So Saul summoned the troops and numbered them at Telaim—200,000 foot soldiers and 10,000 men of Judah.

1 Kings 4:20
The people of Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand on the seashore, and they were eating and drinking and rejoicing.

1 Kings 8:65
So at that time Solomon and all Israel with him—a great assembly of people from Lebo-hamath to the Brook of Egypt—kept the feast before the LORD our God for seven days and seven more days—fourteen days in all.

1 Chronicles 12:23-40
Now these are the numbers of men armed for battle who came to David at Hebron to turn Saul’s kingdom over to him, in accordance with the word of the LORD: / From Judah: 6,800 armed troops bearing shields and spears. / From Simeon: 7,100 mighty men of valor, ready for battle. ...

1 Chronicles 21:5
And Joab reported to David the total number of the troops. In all Israel there were 1,100,000 men who drew the sword, including 470,000 in Judah.

2 Chronicles 30:5
So they established a decree to circulate a proclamation throughout Israel, from Beersheba to Dan, that the people should come to keep the Passover of the LORD, the God of Israel, in Jerusalem. For they had not observed it in great numbers as prescribed.

Isaiah 11:13-14
Then the jealousy of Ephraim will depart, and the adversaries of Judah will be cut off. Ephraim will no longer envy Judah, nor will Judah harass Ephraim. / They will swoop down on the slopes of the Philistines to the west; together they will plunder the sons of the east. They will lay their hands on Edom and Moab, and the Ammonites will be subject to them.

Jeremiah 3:18
In those days the house of Judah will walk with the house of Israel, and they will come together from the land of the north to the land that I gave to your fathers as an inheritance.

Jeremiah 50:4
“In those days and at that time, declares the LORD, the children of Israel and the children of Judah will come together, weeping as they come, and will seek the LORD their God.

Ezekiel 37:16-22
“And you, son of man, take a single stick and write on it: ‘Belonging to Judah and to the Israelites associated with him.’ Then take another stick and write on it: ‘Belonging to Joseph—the stick of Ephraim—and to all the house of Israel associated with him.’ / Then join them together into one stick, so that they become one in your hand. / When your people ask you, ‘Won’t you explain to us what you mean by these?’ ...

Hosea 1:11
Then the people of Judah and of Israel will be gathered together, and they will appoint for themselves one leader, and will go up out of the land. For great will be the day of Jezreel.

Matthew 24:30-31
At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. / And He will send out His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.

Mark 13:27
And He will send out the angels to gather His elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.

Treasury of Scripture

Therefore I counsel that all Israel be generally gathered to you, from Dan even to Beersheba, as the sand that is by the sea for multitude; and that you go to battle in your own person.

all Israel

2 Samuel 24:2
For the king said to Joab the captain of the host, which was with him, Go now through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan even to Beersheba, and number ye the people, that I may know the number of the people.

Judges 20:1
Then all the children of Israel went out, and the congregation was gathered together as one man, from Dan even to Beersheba, with the land of Gilead, unto the LORD in Mizpeh.

as the sand

Genesis 13:16
And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered.

Genesis 22:17
That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;

Joshua 11:4
And they went out, they and all their hosts with them, much people, even as the sand that is upon the sea shore in multitude, with horses and chariots very many.

2 Samuel 12:28
Now therefore gather the rest of the people together, and encamp against the city, and take it: lest I take the city, and it be called after my name.

Psalm 7:15,16
He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made…

Psalm 9:16
The LORD is known by the judgment which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah.

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2 Samuel 17

1. Ahithophel's counsel is overthrown by Hushai's
15. Secret intelligence is sent unto David
23. Ahithophel hangs himself
25. Amasa is made captain
27. David at Mahanaim is furnished with provisions

Berean Study Bible

Instead, I advise
This 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.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(11) I counsel that all Israel.--Hushai had before him a difficult task. He had not only to "make the worse appear the better reason," but to do this in face of the counsel of a man very famous for his wisdom and devoted to the interests of Absalom, while his own fidelity had but just now been called in question. He accomplishes his task successfully by emphasising all the possible hazards and contingencies of the plan recommended by Ahithophel, and by proposing, on the other hand, a plan attended with no risk, on the supposition that the great mass of Israel already were, and would continue to be, on Absalom's side, a supposition which; with delicate flattery, he assumes as true.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 11. - And that thou go to battle in thine own person; literally, and that thy presence go to the battle. The versions have preserved a much better reading, "And that thy presence go in the midst of them."

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Instead,
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

I advise
יָעַ֗צְתִּי (yā·‘aṣ·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3289: To advise, to deliberate, resolve

that all
כָל־ (ḵāl)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

from Dan
מִדָּן֙ (mid·dān)
Preposition-m | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1835: Dan -- 'judge', a son of Jacob, also a place in Northern Israel

to
וְעַד־ (wə·‘aḏ-)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

Beersheba—
שֶׁ֔בַע (še·ḇa‘)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 884: Beersheba -- 'well of seven', a place in the Negev

a multitude
לָרֹ֑ב (lā·rōḇ)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7230: Multitude, abundance, greatness

like the sand
כַּח֥וֹל (ka·ḥō·wl)
Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2344: Sand

by
עָלֶ֤יךָ (‘ā·le·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the sea—
הַיָּ֖ם (hay·yām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3220: A sea, the Mediterranean Sea, large river, an artifical basin

be gathered
הֵ֠אָסֹף (hê·’ā·sōp̄)
Verb - Nifal - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 622: To gather for, any purpose, to receive, take away, remove

to you,
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

and that you yourself
וּפָנֶ֥יךָ (ū·p̄ā·ne·ḵā)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - common plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 6440: The face

lead them
הֹלְכִ֖ים (hō·lə·ḵîm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

into battle.
בַּקְרָֽב׃ (baq·rāḇ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7128: Hostile encounter

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OT History: 2 Samuel 17:11 But I counsel that all Israel be (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)