17:1 Ahithophel said to Absalom This phrase connects ch. 17 with 16:20–23. Although the events of ch. 17 occur after those of ch. 16, their themes are linked because both recount advice from Ahithophel.

let me choose twelve thousand men An overwhelming force that is much larger than David’s.

pursue after David tonight Communicates the urgency of Ahithophel’s counsel. Because Absalom needs to gain total control of the throne, Ahithophel suggests an immediate surprise attack on David and his forces at night.

17:2 he is weary and weak David is weak and demoralized as a result of his flight from Jerusalem.

I will startle him He would panic because he would not be prepared for an attack of that insurmountable size.

people who are with him will flee Ahithophel claims that David’s companions will flee when they see the response of their ruler; this reaction is typical of Saul (see 1 Sam 10:22 and note), not David—a point that Hushai highlights in 2 Sam 17:8.

I will strike down the king while he is alone Ahithophel assumes that David’s forces will not fight back, which is unlikely given their reputation as warriors (e.g., 23:8–23). This aspect of the plan would only be possible if they had all fled.

17:3 I will return all the people If only the king is killed (v. 2), then all his followers will be forced to surrender to Absalom. The language here reflects the earlier note that Absalom stole the heart of the people (15:6, 12–13).

all the people will be safe If David is eliminated, there would only be one king in Israel and no cause for turmoil.

17:4 The word was right Ahithophel’s plan is tactically brilliant; nevertheless, Yahweh preserves David.

17:5 Hushai Sent by David to act as a false counselor to Absalom. See 15:32–37.

let us hear what he has to say Absalom wishes to consider the full spectrum of military options.

17:7 not good Contrasts the reaction to Ahithophel’s previous advice (see 16:23 and note).

17:8 they are enraged As opposed to being weary and discouraged (v. 2). Although Ahithophel’s assessment of David and his men reflects their true state (see 15:30; 16:14), Hushai paints a different picture based on David’s reputation as a warrior.

Your father is a man of war Indicates that Ahithophel’s tactics will not cause David to panic (see v. 2).

he will not spend the night David, expecting an attack, would hide himself so he could not be easily found by Absalom’s soldiers.

17:9 he falls Refers to Ahithophel’s forces (see v. 1). This statement contrasts the notion that all of David’s men will flee and leave him vulnerable to attack (compare vv. 2–3).

17:10 He will certainly melt with fear Hushai suggests that Ahithophel’s miscalculation of the state of David and his men will backfire. If David kills some of Ahithophel’s forces, the military mystique surrounding King David would cause Ahithophel’s 12,000 troops to flee. Such an outcome would inhibit the success of Absalom’s coup.

17:11 all of Israel from Dan to Beersheba should be completely gathered to you After undermining Ahithophel’s strategy (vv. 7–10), Hushai proposes a new plan that contradicts Ahithophel’s. He advises that Absalom should summon all of Israel’s warriors to battle, not merely 12,000 men (compare v. 1). This would take some time, but would almost guarantee David’s defeat. In reality, Hushai is buying time for David to rest and regroup.

going into the battle Hushai suggests that Absalom, not Ahithophel, lead the forces against David (see v. 1).

17:12 we will come to him Hushai advises against launching an immediate, surprise attack (see v. 1 and note). Since David will be hard to find (vv. 8–9), Absalom should take the time to assemble a massive force and scour the land until he is found.

will not survive, not even one Hushai contends that all of David’s forces should be eliminated, not just David (vv. 2–3).

17:13 they will drag him away to the valley With all of Israel’s forces gathered for battle, Absalom will be able to besiege any city to which David might flee. This would not be possible with merely 12,000 troops (see v. 1) because individual cities would likely have their own defenses in addition to David’s skilled mercenaries.

17:14 The advice of Hushai the Arkite is better This is not necessarily true, but it reflects the attitude of Absalom and his court.

Yahweh had ordained In answer to David’s prayer in 15:31.

Yahweh to bring misery upon Absalom Absalom had rebelled against and oppressed God’s anointed king (see 1:14 and note, 1:15 and note, 1:16 and note).

17:15 to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests Loyal to David. See 15:35.

17:16 Don’t spend the night They prepare for the possibility that Absalom will change his mind and follow Ahithophel’s advice.

17:17 Jonathan and Ahimaaz The sons of Abiathar and Zadok. They were loyal to David. See 15:27, 36.

En Rogel A water source approximately a quarter mile from Jerusalem.

a servant girl used to go and tell them Jonathan and Ahimaaz use the everyday task of obtaining water as a cover to relay information to David.

17:18 the house of a man Apparently a supporter of David.

at Bahurim Located roughly one mile south of Jerusalem.

17:21 told King David Faithful to their mission, the men relay the vital information to David regarding Ahithophel’s counsel.

17:23 , he hanged himself Ahithophel may sense that Absalom will die if he follows Hushai’s advice. If Absalom died and David returned, Ahithophel would be killed for treason. In addition, the shame associated with his public scorn may have been too much for him to endure.

17:24 David had come to Mahanaim See 2:8 and note.

all the men of Israel with Indicates that Absalom heeds Hushai’s advice.

17:25 Amasa David’s nephew and the son of David’s sister Abigail (1 Chr 2:16–17). Absalom appointed him over the army because Joab was with David (2 Sam 18:2).

Abigail the daughter of Nahash This may be a copying error in which the scribe saw “Nahash” in v. 27 and wrote that instead of “Jesse.” Abigail is presented as the daughter of Jesse in 1 Chronicles (see 1 Chr 2:13–17).

Joab David’s nephew and the commander of his army. See 2 Sam 2:13 and note.

17:26 the land of Gilead A region very loyal to Saul’s dynasty (see 2:8 and note; 2:9). The Gileadites may harbor feelings of bitterness against David, despite affirming him as king in 2:4–7, since they are letting his enemies camp in their territory.

17:27 Shobi the son of Nahash Perhaps the brother of Hanun, who may have been killed due to his rebellion (10:2; 12:26–31). Shobi appears more favorably disposed to David than Hanun.

Makir the son of Ammiel from Lo Debar See 9:4.

17:28 beds and basins and objects of pottery David and his fleeing entourage would not have had time to amass these items prior to their hasty exit from Jerusalem.