David said to him, “If you pass on with me, then you will be a burden to me;
Parallel translations
- KJV Unto whom David said, If thou passest on with me, then thou shalt be a burden unto me:
- BSB David said to him, “If you go on with me, you will be a burden to me.
- NKJV David said to him, “If you go on with me, then you will become a burden to me.
- NASB And David said to him, “If you go over with me, then you will become a burden to me.
- NLT But David told him, “If you go with me, you will only be a burden.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
David tells Hushai he would only be a burden if he accompanies the fleeing king. He prepares to send Hushai on a more useful mission.
Overview
David, recognizing Hushai's age or the demands of flight, declines to take him along on the retreat. Instead he is forming a plan to use Hushai's loyalty more strategically. The exchange reveals David's wisdom in deploying his friends where they can do the most good.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 1
- 2 Sam 19:35I am eighty years old, today. Can I discern between good and bad? Can your servant taste what I eat or what I drink? Can I hear the voice of singing men and singing women any more? Why then should your servant be a burden to my lord the king?
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Christ at the center
God's covenant with David — a son whose throne and kingdom would last forever (7:12–16) — finds its yes in Jesus, the Son of David who reigns without end.
How 2 Samuel 15:33 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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