2 Samuel 17:16
New International Version
Now send a message at once and tell David, ‘Do not spend the night at the fords in the wilderness; cross over without fail, or the king and all the people with him will be swallowed up.’”

New Living Translation
“Quick!” he told them. “Find David and urge him not to stay at the shallows of the Jordan River tonight. He must go across at once into the wilderness beyond. Otherwise he will die and his entire army with him.”

English Standard Version
Now therefore send quickly and tell David, ‘Do not stay tonight at the fords of the wilderness, but by all means pass over, lest the king and all the people who are with him be swallowed up.’”

Berean Standard Bible
Now send quickly and tell David, ‘Do not spend the night at the fords of the wilderness, but be sure to cross over. Otherwise the king and all the people with him will be swallowed up.’ ”

King James Bible
Now therefore send quickly, and tell David, saying, Lodge not this night in the plains of the wilderness, but speedily pass over; lest the king be swallowed up, and all the people that are with him.

New King James Version
Now therefore, send quickly and tell David, saying, ‘Do not spend this night in the plains of the wilderness, but speedily cross over, lest the king and all the people who are with him be swallowed up.’ ”

New American Standard Bible
Now then, send a messenger quickly and tell David, saying, ‘Do not spend the night at the river crossing places of the wilderness, but by all means cross over, or else the king and all the people who are with him will be destroyed.’”

NASB 1995
“Now therefore, send quickly and tell David, saying, ‘Do not spend the night at the fords of the wilderness, but by all means cross over, or else the king and all the people who are with him will be destroyed.’”

NASB 1977
“Now therefore, send quickly and tell David, saying, ‘Do not spend the night at the fords of the wilderness, but by all means cross over, lest the king and all the people who are with him be destroyed.’”

Legacy Standard Bible
So now, send quickly and inform David, saying, ‘Do not spend the night at the fords of the wilderness, but by all means cross over, lest the king and all the people who are with him be swallowed up.’”

Amplified Bible
Now then, send word quickly and tell David, ‘Do not spend the night at the fords [on the west side of the Jordan] in the wilderness, but by all means cross over [to the east side of the river], or else the king and all the people with him will be destroyed [if Ahithophel is allowed by Absalom to lead an attack].’”

Christian Standard Bible
Now send someone quickly and tell David, ‘Don’t spend the night at the wilderness ford, but be sure to cross over the Jordan, or the king and all the people with him will be devoured.’ ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Now send someone quickly and tell David, ‘Don’t spend the night at the wilderness ford of the Jordan, but be sure to cross over, or the king and all the people with him will be destroyed.’”

American Standard Version
Now therefore send quickly, and tell David, saying, Lodge not this night at the fords of the wilderness, but by all means pass over; lest the king be swallowed up, and all the people that are with him.

Contemporary English Version
Then he said, "Hurry! Send someone to warn David not to spend the night on this side of the Jordan. He must get across the river, so he and the others won't be wiped out!"

English Revised Version
Now therefore send quickly, and tell David, saying, Lodge not this night at the fords of the wilderness, but in any wise pass over; lest the king be swallowed up, and all the people that are with him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Now send messengers quickly to tell David, 'Don't rest tonight in the river crossings in the desert, but make sure you cross [the river], or Your Majesty and all the troops with him will be wiped out.'"

Good News Translation
Hushai added, "Quick, now! Send a message to David not to spend the night at the river crossings in the wilderness, but to cross the Jordan at once, so that he and his men won't all be caught and killed."

International Standard Version
"Quick! Get word to David! Tell him not to spend the night at the crossings that lead to the desert. Instead, he must cross the Jordan River immediately. That way, if he crosses the river, the king and his entourage will survive."

Majority Standard Bible
Now send quickly and tell David, ‘Do not spend the night at the fords of the wilderness, but be sure to cross over. Otherwise the king and all the people with him will be swallowed up.’”

NET Bible
Now send word quickly to David and warn him, "Don't spend the night at the fords of the desert tonight. Instead, be sure you cross over, or else the king and everyone who is with him may be overwhelmed."

New Heart English Bible
Now therefore send quickly and tell David, saying, 'Do not stay the night at the fords of the wilderness, but by all means pass over. Otherwise the king and all the people who are with him will be swallowed up.'"

Webster's Bible Translation
Now therefore send quickly, and tell David, saying, Lodge not this night in the plains of the wilderness, but speedily pass over; lest the king be swallowed up, and all the people that are with him.

World English Bible
Now therefore send quickly, and tell David, saying, ‘Don’t lodge tonight at the fords of the wilderness, but by all means pass over, lest the king be swallowed up, and all the people who are with him.’”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and now, send quickly, and declare [it] to David, saying, Do not lodge in the plains of the wilderness tonight, and also, certainly pass over, lest there is a swallowing up of the king and of all the people who are with him.”

Young's Literal Translation
and now, send hastily, and declare to David, saying, Lodge not to-night in the plains of the wilderness, and also, certainly pass over, lest there be a swallowing up of the king and of all the people who are with him.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And now send quickly and announce to David, saying, Thou wilt not lodge this night in Araboth of the desert, and also passing over, thou shalt pass over, lest he shall swallow up to the king and to all the people which are with him.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Now therefore send quickly, and tell David, saying: Tarry not this night in the plains of the wilderness, but without delay pass over: lest the king be swallowed up, and all the people that is with him.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Now therefore, send quickly, and report to David, saying: ‘You shall not stay this night in the plains of the desert. Instead, without delay, go across. Otherwise the king may be engulfed, and all the people who are with him.’ ”

New American Bible
So send a warning to David immediately: ‘Do not spend the night at the fords near the wilderness, but cross over without fail. Otherwise the king and all the people with him will be destroyed.’ ”

New Revised Standard Version
Therefore send quickly and tell David, ‘Do not lodge tonight at the fords of the wilderness, but by all means cross over; otherwise the king and all the people who are with him will be swallowed up.’”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Now therefore send quickly and tell David, saying, Do not spend the night in the plain of the wilderness, but pass over, lest you and all the people who are with you be destroyed.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Now send quickly and show David and say to him: ‘You should not lodge at night in the plain of the wilderness, but pass through yourself lest you be destroyed, you and all the people that are with you’”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Now therefore send quickly, and tell David, saying: Lodge not this night in the plains of the wilderness, but in any wise pass over; lest the king be swallowed up, and all the people that are with him.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And now send quickly and report to David, saying, Lodge not this night in Araboth of the wilderness: even go and make haste, lest one swallow up the king, and all the people with him.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Hushai's Warning Saves David
15So Hushai told Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, “This is what Ahithophel has advised Absalom and the elders of Israel, and this is what I have advised. 16Now send quickly and tell David, ‘Do not spend the night at the fords of the wilderness, but be sure to cross over. Otherwise the king and all the people with him will be swallowed up.’” 17Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz were staying at En-rogel, where a servant girl would come and pass along information to them. They in turn would go and inform King David, for they dared not be seen entering the city.…

Cross References
2 Samuel 15:31
Now someone told David: “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” So David pleaded, “O LORD, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!”

2 Samuel 15:14
And David said to all the servants with him in Jerusalem, “Arise and let us flee, or we will not escape from Absalom! We must leave quickly, or he will soon overtake us, heap disaster on us, and put the city to the sword.”

2 Samuel 15:34
But you can thwart the counsel of Ahithophel for me if you return to the city and say to Absalom: ‘I will be your servant, my king; in the past I was your father’s servant, but now I will be your servant.’

2 Samuel 16:21-22
Ahithophel replied, “Sleep with your father’s concubines, whom he has left to take care of the palace. When all Israel hears that you have become a stench to your father, then the hands of all who are with you will be strengthened.” / So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and he slept with his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.

1 Kings 1:11-12
Then Nathan said to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, “Have you not heard that Adonijah son of Haggith has become king, and our lord David does not know it? / Now please, come and let me advise you. Save your own life and the life of your son Solomon.

1 Kings 2:28-29
When the news reached Joab, who had conspired with Adonijah but not with Absalom, he fled to the tent of the LORD and took hold of the horns of the altar. / It was reported to King Solomon: “Joab has fled to the tent of the LORD and is now beside the altar.” So Solomon sent Benaiah son of Jehoiada, saying, “Go, strike him down!”

Psalm 3:1-2
A Psalm of David, when he fled from his son Absalom. O LORD, how my foes have increased! How many rise up against me! / Many say of me, “God will not deliver him.” Selah

Psalm 55:12-14
For it is not an enemy who insults me; that I could endure. It is not a foe who rises against me; from him I could hide. / But it is you, a man like myself, my companion and close friend. / We shared sweet fellowship together; we walked with the crowd into the house of God.

Psalm 41:9
Even my close friend whom I trusted, the one who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.

Psalm 71:10-11
For my enemies speak against me, and those who lie in wait for my life conspire, / saying, “God has forsaken him; pursue him and seize him, for there is no one to rescue him.”

Matthew 26:14-16
Then one of the Twelve, the one called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests / and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I hand Him over to you?” And they set out for him thirty pieces of silver. / So from then on Judas looked for an opportunity to betray Jesus.

Matthew 26:47-50
While Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and elders of the people. / Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The One I kiss is the man; arrest Him.” / Going directly to Jesus, he said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him. ...

Mark 14:43-46
While Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, scribes, and elders. / Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The One I kiss is the man; arrest Him and lead Him away securely.” / Going directly to Jesus, he said, “Rabbi!” and kissed Him. ...

Luke 22:3-6
Then Satan entered Judas Iscariot, who was one of the Twelve. / And Judas went to discuss with the chief priests and temple officers how he might betray Jesus to them. / They were delighted and agreed to give him money. ...

Luke 22:47-48
While He was still speaking, a crowd arrived, led by the man called Judas, one of the Twelve. He approached Jesus to kiss Him. / But Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”


Treasury of Scripture

Now therefore send quickly, and tell David, saying, Lodge not this night in the plains of the wilderness, but speedily pass over; lest the king be swallowed up, and all the people that are with him.

Lodge

2 Samuel 15:28
See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until there come word from you to certify me.

but speedily

2 Samuel 17:21,22
And it came to pass, after they were departed, that they came up out of the well, and went and told king David, and said unto David, Arise, and pass quickly over the water: for thus hath Ahithophel counselled against you…

2 Samuel 15:14,28
And David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not else escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword…

1 Samuel 20:38
And Jonathan cried after the lad, Make speed, haste, stay not. And Jonathan's lad gathered up the arrows, and came to his master.

be swallowed

2 Samuel 20:19,20
I am one of them that are peaceable and faithful in Israel: thou seekest to destroy a city and a mother in Israel: why wilt thou swallow up the inheritance of the LORD? …

Psalm 35:25
Let them not say in their hearts, Ah, so would we have it: let them not say, We have swallowed him up.

Psalm 56:2
Mine enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O thou most High.

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Cross David Desert Destroyed Destruction Fords Immediately Lodge Means Message Night Night's Plains Quickly Rest River Speedily Spend Swallowed Tonight Waste Way Wilderness Wise
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














Now send quickly
The urgency in this phrase underscores the critical nature of the message. The Hebrew word for "send" is שָׁלַח (shalach), which often implies dispatching with authority and purpose. The urgency reflects the dire situation David is in, emphasizing the need for immediate action to avert disaster. Historically, this moment is pivotal as it involves the preservation of David's life and the continuation of his God-ordained kingship.

and tell David
The instruction to "tell David" highlights the importance of communication and the role of messengers in ancient times. David, the anointed king, is in a vulnerable position, and the message is a lifeline. The Hebrew root דָּבַר (dabar) for "tell" implies not just speaking but conveying a message of significance, often with divine implications. This reflects the biblical theme of God’s providence and guidance through human agents.

‘Do not spend the night
The phrase "do not spend the night" is a direct warning against complacency. The Hebrew verb לִין (lin) means to lodge or stay temporarily. In the context of David's flight from Absalom, it signifies the danger of delay. Spiritually, it serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance and readiness in the face of spiritual and physical threats.

at the fords of the wilderness
The "fords of the wilderness" refers to shallow crossing points in a river, specifically the Jordan River in this context. The Hebrew term מַעֲבָר (ma'abar) for "fords" indicates a place of transition and potential vulnerability. Historically, these locations were strategic for travel and military maneuvers. The wilderness represents a place of testing and reliance on God, echoing Israel's own wilderness journey.

but cross over without fail
The command to "cross over without fail" is a decisive call to action. The Hebrew word עָבַר (avar) for "cross over" conveys movement and transition, often associated with entering into a new phase or territory. This reflects the necessity of obedience and trust in God’s deliverance. The phrase "without fail" underscores the certainty and determination required to follow God’s guidance.

or the king and all the people with him
This phrase emphasizes the collective fate of David and his followers. The term "king" (מֶלֶךְ, melech) signifies David's God-given authority and responsibility. The inclusion of "all the people with him" highlights the communal aspect of leadership and the impact of David's decisions on the nation of Israel. It serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of leaders and their people.

will be swallowed up
The imagery of being "swallowed up" conveys imminent destruction and defeat. The Hebrew verb בָּלַע (bala) means to engulf or consume, often used in contexts of divine judgment or overwhelming circumstances. This stark warning underscores the gravity of the situation and the need for divine intervention. It serves as a metaphor for the spiritual battles believers face, where reliance on God’s guidance is crucial for survival and victory.

(16) Lodge not this night.--Hushai's advice had been taken at the moment, but it might easily be exchanged for Ahithophel's. At all events there was instant danger for David, and Hushai urges him to place the Jordan without delay between himself and the rebels.

Verse 16. - Lodge not this night in the plains (at the fords) of the wilderness. The plan of Ahithophel made David's position so dangerous, that he must hesitate no longer, lest, on second thoughts, Absalom should still adopt it. Hushai had frustrated it for the present; but Ahithophel might urge it again, and get the necessary permission; and then David and all the people that were with him would be swallowed up, that is, destroyed utterly, and with ease.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Now
וְעַתָּ֡ה (wə·‘at·tāh)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 6258: At this time

send
שִׁלְח֣וּ (šil·ḥū)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

quickly
מְהֵרָה֩ (mə·hê·rāh)
Adverb
Strong's 4120: A hurry, promptly

and tell
וְהַגִּ֨ידוּ (wə·hag·gî·ḏū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 5046: To be conspicuous

David,
לְדָוִ֜ד (lə·ḏā·wiḏ)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

‘Do not
אַל־ (’al-)
Adverb
Strong's 408: Not

spend
תָּ֤לֶן (tā·len)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect Jussive - second person masculine singular
Strong's 3885: To stop, to stay permanently, to be obstinate

the night
הַלַּ֙יְלָה֙ (hal·lay·lāh)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3915: A twist, night, adversity

at the fords
בְּעַֽרְב֣וֹת (bə·‘ar·ḇō·wṯ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 6160: Arabah -- a steppe or desert plain, also a desert valley running south from the Sea of Galilee

of the wilderness,
הַמִּדְבָּ֔ר (ham·miḏ·bār)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4057: A pasture, a desert, speech

but
וְגַ֖ם (wə·ḡam)
Conjunctive waw | Conjunction
Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and

be sure to cross over.
עָב֣וֹר (‘ā·ḇō·wr)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on

Otherwise
פֶּ֚ן (pen)
Conjunction
Strong's 6435: Removal, lest

the king
לַמֶּ֔לֶךְ (lam·me·leḵ)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

and all
וּלְכָל־ (ū·lə·ḵāl-)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | 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

with him
אִתּֽוֹ׃ (’it·tōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 854: Nearness, near, with, by, at, among

will be swallowed up.’”
יְבֻלַּ֣ע (yə·ḇul·la‘)
Verb - Pual - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1104: To swallow down, swallow up, engulf


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OT History: 2 Samuel 17:16 Now therefore send quickly and tell David (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
2 Samuel 17:15
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