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2 Samuel 19:3

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Samuel 19:3 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And the people gat them by stealth that day into the city, as people that are ashamed steal away when they flee in battle.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And the people gat them by stealth that day into the city, as people that are ashamed steal away when they flee in battle.
2 Samuel 19:3 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Samuel 19

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1And it was told Joab, Behold, the king weepeth and mourneth for Absalom.
2And the victory that day was turned into mourning unto all the people; for the people heard say that day, The king grieveth for his son.
3And the people gat them by stealth that day into the city, as people that are ashamed steal away when they flee in battle.
4And the king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!
5And Joab came into the house to the king, and said, Thou hast shamed this day the faces of all thy servants, who this day have saved thy life, and the lives of thy sons and of thy daughters, and the lives of thy wives, and the lives of thy concubines;
6in that thou lovest them that hate thee, and hatest them that love thee. For thou hast declared this day, that princes and servants are nought unto thee: for this day I perceive, that if Absalom had lived, and all we had died this day, then it had pleased thee well.
← 2 Samuel 19:22 Samuel 19:4 →
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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 the people got them by stealth that day into the city, etc.] Did not march into it in companies, in a public and triumphant manner, as conquerors used to do; but entered in a private manner, one by one, or a very few together, not caring to be seen or known, at least by the king, as fearing they had incurred his displeasure: but as people being ashamed steal away when they flee in battle; as if they had been conquered, and not conquerors; nay, had acted a cowardly part, and ran away; and so cared not to be seen, lest they should be reproached, or suffer for their cowardice.”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“By stealth - Not openly and triumphantly, as conquerors use to do; but secretly, as if they were afraid and ashamed, lest David should see them, and look upon them with an evil eye, as those that had an hand in killing of his beloved son. 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 19:5”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“into the city: Sa2 19:32, Sa2 17:24 steal: Gen 31:27 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 19:4”
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Related study paths

Read 2 Samuel 19 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification