2 Samuel 15:17
ESV
And the king went out, and all the people after him. And they halted at the last house.
NIV
So the king set out, with all the people following him, and they halted at the edge of the city.
NASB
The king left, and all the people with him, and they stopped at the last house.
CSB
So the king set out, and all the people followed him. They stopped at the last house
NLT
The king and all his people set out on foot, pausing at the last house
KJV
And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off.
NKJV
And the king went out with all the people after him, and stopped at the outskirts.
What does 2 Samuel 15:17 mean?
David and his remaining loyal servants are fleeing Jerusalem with their families. Absalom is coming with the support of many in Israel to take the throne from David. Everyone knows that to truly rule as king without threat of an uprising, Absalom will have to kill David and all those loyal to him. David has ordered them all to get as far from Jerusalem as possible before Absalom arrives (2 Samuel 15:14).They stop at the last house on the way out of town and reorganize the growing number of refugees before they pass through the gate of the city and head toward the wilderness.
As they do, David has the chance to find out who is truly loyal to him. Besides his servants, the first group includes three units of Philistine soldiers. The Cherethites and Pelethites are his personal guard. The Gittites are hired mercenaries who have only recently come into his employ. When David urges Ittai, their leader, to stay and serve Absalom, he refuses. He swears by God that he will fight to the death for his king (2 Samuel 15:18–22). David rewards him by placing him in charge of a third of the army (2 Samuel 18:2).
Next are the priests and keepers of the ark of the covenant, Abiathar and Zadok, with their sons. The priests bring the ark, fully intending to follow David wherever he goes. David's understanding is higher than theirs. He knows Absalom's rebellion is punishment for his own sin against Uriah (2 Samuel 12:11). He will not use the ark as some kind of talisman that can manipulate God. And the priests are much more useful as spies (2 Samuel 15:24–29).
Sadly, David learns that his trusted advisor Ahithophel has aligned with Absalom. God replaces him, however, with David's friend Hushai. David also sends Hushai back, in hopes he can spoil Ahithophel's counsel. He does and, with the help of the priests and their sons, saves David and his people (2 Samuel 17:5–21).
David has lost much, however. Most of the army stays with Absalom (2 Samuel 17:25). The elders of Judah have betrayed David (2 Samuel 19:11–12). But Joab and his brother Abishai remain faithful (2 Samuel 18:2). And Mephibosheth, Jonathan's son, will be inconsolable until he sees David return safely (2 Samuel 19:24)
