2 Samuel 17:9

But he will certainly have taken cover now in some hole or secret place; and if some of our people, at the first attack, are overcome, then any hearing of it will say, There is destruction among the people who are on Absalom's side.

Bible in Basic English

In The King James Version

Behold, he is hid now in some pit, or in some other place: and it will come to pass, when some of them be overthrown at the first, that whosoever heareth it will say, There is a slaughter among the people that follow Absalom.

In Context

8Hushai said further, You have knowledge of your father and his men, that they are men of war, and that their feelings are bitter, like those of a bear in the field whose young ones have been taken from her: and your father is a man of war, and will not take his night's rest with the people;

10Then even the strongest, whose heart is like the heart of a lion, will become like water; for all Israel is conscious that your father is a man of war, and those who are with him are strong and without fear.

Read all of 2 Samuel 17

Cross References

Joshua 8:6And they will come out after us, till we have got them away from the town; for they will say, They have gone in flight from us as before; so we will go in flight before them;

1 Samuel 14:14And at their first attack, Jonathan and his servant put to the sword about twenty men, all inside the space of half an acre of land.

1 Samuel 23:22Go now, and take more steps, and see where he is living: for they say that he is expert in deceit.

Matthew Henry on 2 Samuel 17:2-15

Hushai's Counsel. ( b. c. 1023.) 1 Moreover Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Let me now choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night: 2 And I will come upon him while he is weary and weak handed, and will make him afraid: and all the people that are with him shall flee; and I will smite the king only: 3 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. 4 And the saying pleased Absalom well, and… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study 2 Samuel 17:9