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2 Samuel 17:7

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Samuel 17:7 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And Hushai said unto Absalom, The counsel that Ahithophel hath given this time is not good.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And Hushai said unto Absalom, The counsel that Ahithophel hath given this time is not good.
2 Samuel 17:7 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Samuel 17

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
4And the saying pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of Israel.
5Then said Absalom, Call now Hushai the Archite also, and let us hear likewise what he saith.
6And when Hushai was come to Absalom, Absalom spake unto him, saying, Ahithophel hath spoken after this manner: shall we do [after] his saying? if not, speak thou.
7And Hushai said unto Absalom, The counsel that Ahithophel hath given this time is not good.
8Hushai said moreover, Thou knowest thy father and his men, that they are mighty men, and they are chafed in their minds, as a bear robbed of her whelps in the field; and thy father is a man of war, and will not lodge with the people.
9Behold, he is hid now in some pit, or in some [other] place: and it will come to pass, when some of them are fallen at the first, that whosoever heareth it will say, There is a slaughter among the people that follow Absalom.
10And even he that is valiant, whose heart is as the heart of a lion, will utterly melt; for all Israel knoweth that thy father is a mighty man, and they that are with him are valiant men.
← 2 Samuel 17:62 Samuel 17:8 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And Hushai said to Absalom, etc.] Having leave to give his opinion freely: the counsel that Ahithophel hath given [is] not good at this time; he owns that Ahithophel was a good counsellor, and that the counsel he gave was for the most part, if not always, good, but what he gave at this time was not so; the wisest of men may sometimes be mistaken. Abarbinel thinks he respects his former counsel, particularly that that was good, advising him to defile his father’s bed, (<101621>2 Samuel 16:21); but this was not, for which he gives the following reasons.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“At this time - Rather, “The counsel which Ahithophel has given this time is not good.” He contrasts it with that given before 2 Samuel 16:21, which was good. This gave an appearance of candour to his conduct, and so gave weight to his dissent. Observe the working of David’s prayer 2 Samuel 15:31. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“given: Heb. counselled not good: Pro 31:8 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 17:8”
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Related study paths

Read 2 Samuel 17 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification