2 Samuel 15:33
ESV
David said to him, "If you go on with me, you will be a burden to me.
NIV
David said to him, "If you go with me, you will be a burden to me.
NASB
And David said to him, 'If you go over with me, then you will become a burden to me.
CSB
David said to him, "If you go away with me, you’ll be a burden to me,
NLT
But David told him, 'If you go with me, you will only be a burden.
KJV
Unto whom David said, If thou passest on with me, then thou shalt be a burden unto me:
NKJV
David said to him, “If you go on with me, then you will become a burden to me.
What does 2 Samuel 15:33 mean?
David's son Absalom has spent the last four years convincing men from Israel that David doesn't care about their struggles, and their only hope is for Absalom to become king. He's now marching to Jerusalem to take the throne. David is scrambling, but he's not overwhelmed. He accepts that this is God's plan. It may even be God's plan for Absalom to remain king and for David to be killed. At the same time, David has managed to get his servants, his guards, and his new mercenaries on their way to safety. He's even recruited the priests to spy for him. All the while, he's made his way to the Mount of Olives with bare feet and a covered head as he mourns passionately (2 Samuel 15:1–30).On his way up the mountain, David receives more bad news: his greatest counselor, Ahithophel, has joined Absalom. Absalom is clever, but he's young and inexperienced. Ahithophel is just what he needs to be a successful king (2 Samuel 15:31). Ahithophel's betrayal might have been an act of vengeance. David's illicit affair (2 Samuel 11) involved Ahithophel's granddaughter, Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11:3; 23:34).
As the news is still registering, David looks up and sees his friend Hushai. The old man has torn his coat and tossed dirt on his head. He's mourning as deeply as David and intends to join his king in exile (2 Samuel 15:32). David's first thought is that taking on the dear old man is the last thing he needs with so many others to protect. His second thought is that Hushai is exactly what he needs to protect his faithful group.
As David stood by the gate, watching his servants and soldiers pass out of the city, the priests Abiathar and Zadok approached. They brought the ark of the covenant and the Levites. David convinced them to stay. Zadok is a seer, and the priests' sons could relay any information they could glean about Absalom (2 Samuel 15:24–29).
Hushai is the missing piece. He can infiltrate Absalom's council and counter Ahithophel's suggestions. Hushai agrees. He will deflect Ahithophel's plans just enough to gain David some time. He gets word to the priests who send a messenger to their sons. Their sons make it to David, and the people make it to safety (2 Samuel 17).
