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2 Samuel 17:8

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Samuel 17:8 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Hushai 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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Hushai 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.
2 Samuel 17:8 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Samuel 17

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.
11But 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.
← 2 Samuel 17:72 Samuel 17:9 →
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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
“For (said Hushai) thou knowest thy father and his men, that they [be] mighty men, etc.] Men of courage and valour, and not such weakhanded and weak-hearted men, and so easily intimidated, as Ahithophel suggests: and they [be] chafed in their minds; or “bitter in soul” f280; not merely filled with trouble and anguish, and depressed in their spirits, on account of that, as the phrase sometimes signifies; but enraged and full of wrath at the rebellion raised against their prince, which obliged them with him to leave their habitations; and now being desperate, their all lying at stake, their wives and children, their families and estates, they would fight furiously in the defence of the king and…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“mighty men: Sa2 15:18, Sa2 21:18-22, Sa2 23:8, Sa2 23:9, Sa2 23:16, Sa2 23:18, Sa2 23:20-22; Sa1 16:18, Sa1 17:34-36, Sa1 17:50; 1Chr. 11:25-47; Heb 11:32-34 chafed in their minds: Heb. bitter of soul, Jdg 18:25 as a bear: Kg2 2:24; Pro 17:12, Pro 28:15; Dan 7:5; Hos 13:8 thy father is: Sa1 23:23 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 17:9”
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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