2 samuel 17:9 - Behold, he is now hidden in some pit, or in some other place. It will happen, when some of them have fallen at the first, that whoever hears it will say, ‘There is a slaughter among the people who follow Absalom!’

Generated Verse: 2 samuel 17:9

What does "2 samuel 17:9" mean?


This verse from 2 Samuel 17:9 is part of Hushai's advice to Absalom, a deliberate counter-strategy to Ahithophel's. It's meant to sow fear and hesitation in Absalom's camp and buy time for David. Let's break it down:

"Behold, he is now hidden in some pit, or in some other place." Hushai is painting a picture of David as a master strategist, capable of ambushing Absalom's forces. The idea is that David and his men are currently concealed, waiting for the right moment to strike.

"It will happen, when some of them have fallen at the first..." Hushai predicts that the initial attack by Absalom's forces will be met with fierce resistance, resulting in casualties.

"...that whoever hears it will say, ‘There is a slaughter among the people who follow Absalom!’" The news of these initial losses will spread like wildfire, causing widespread panic and demoralization among Absalom's troops. The rumor will be that David is inflicting a major defeat on them.

In essence, Hushai is using psychological warfare. He's trying to:

1. Instill fear: Make Absalom and his army afraid of David's cunning and fighting prowess.
2. Delay action: Cause Absalom to pause and reconsider his attack, buying David crucial time to regroup and prepare.
3. Undermine confidence: Weaken the morale of Absalom's army by suggesting they are already facing a crushing defeat.

Hushai's strategy works because he understands Absalom's vanity and the tendency of armies to be swayed by rumors and fear. He uses these vulnerabilities to David's advantage.

What categories does "2 samuel 17:9" have?