Then I will bring back all the people to you. When all return except the man whom you seek, all the people will be at peace.”
Parallel translations
- WEB and I will bring back all the people to you. The man whom you seek is as if all returned. All the people shall be in peace.”
- KJV And I will bring back all the people unto thee: the man whom thou seekest is as if all returned: so all the people shall be in peace.
- BSB and bring all the people back to you as a bride returning to her husband. You seek the life of only one man; then all the people will be at peace.”
- NASB and I will bring all the people back to you. The return of everyone depends on the man whom you are seeking; then all the people will be at peace.”
- NLT and I will bring all the people back to you as a bride returns to her husband. After all, it is only one man’s life that you seek. Then you will be at peace with all the people.”
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
Ahithophel promises to return the people peacefully to Absalom once David alone is removed. He frames killing one man as the path to national reconciliation.
Overview
The argument is that David's death would make all Israel willingly Absalom's, sparing further conflict. It echoes, in a corrupt and self-serving way, the principle that one man's death might secure the people, a dark counterfeit of the truth that one Man would die for the nation (John 11:50). Here the scheme is murderous rebellion; in the gospel, the one death is the willing, saving sacrifice of Christ.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 4
- 1 Th 5:3For when they are saying, “Peace and safety,” then sudden destruction will come on them, like birth pains on a pregnant woman; and they will in no way escape.
- 2 Sam 3:21Abner said to David, “I will arise and go, and will gather all Israel to my lord the king, that they may make a covenant with you, and that you may reign over all that your soul desires.” David sent Abner away; and he went in peace.
- Isa 57:21“There is no peace”, says my God, “for the wicked.”
- Isa 48:22“There is no peace”, says Yahweh, “for the wicked.”
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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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 17:3 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
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.