2 Samuel 17:13
ESV
If he withdraws into a city, then all Israel will bring ropes to that city, and we shall drag it into the valley, until not even a pebble is to be found there."
NIV
If he withdraws into a city, then all Israel will bring ropes to that city, and we will drag it down to the valley until not so much as a pebble is left."
NASB
And if he withdraws into a city, then all Israel shall bring ropes to that city, and we will drag it into the valley until not even a pebble is found there.'
CSB
If he retreats to some city, all Israel will bring ropes to that city, and we will drag its stones into the valley until not even a pebble can be found there."
NLT
And if David were to escape into some town, you will have all Israel there at your command. Then we can take ropes and drag the walls of the town into the nearest valley until every stone is torn down.'
KJV
Moreover, if he be gotten into a city, then shall all Israel bring ropes to that city, and we will draw it into the river, until there be not one small stone found there.
NKJV
Moreover, if he has withdrawn into a city, then all Israel shall bring ropes to that city; and we will pull it into the river, until there is not one small stone found there.”
What does 2 Samuel 17:13 mean?
Ironically, this entire debacle started because of a walled city. Nahash, the king of the Ammonites, died. He was friendly with David, so David sent messengers to offer his son, Hanun, condolences. Hanun misinterpreted the gesture and humiliated David's messengers. David sent Joab to take out Hanun, but Hanun walled himself in Rabbah, where Joab couldn't breach (2 Samuel 10:1–8, 14). The next year, David sent Joab to finish the job (2 Chronicles 20:1–3). While Joab besieged Rabbah, David stayed in Jerusalem and sinned against Bathsheba. His attempt to cover Bathsheba's pregnancy didn't work, and David sent Uriah back to that same battle with instructions on how Joab was to kill him in battle (2 Samuel 11:1–21).Because of his sin, God cursed David: evil would rise from his own family, and his neighbor would take his wives where all would know (2 Samuel 12:7–12). David's son Absalom is the agent of this evil. He took the hearts of the Israelites, the city of Jerusalem, and David's concubines (2 Samuel 15:1–6; 16:15, 20–22).
Absalom also stole David's counselor Ahithophel (2 Samuel 15:12). Ahithophel wants to make sure Absalom keeps the throne. While rebels marched into Jerusalem, David and his servants fled to the Jordan River (2 Samuel 16:13–14; 17:14). Ahithophel wants an army to chase David down, kill him, and bring his people back to Jerusalem, where they can pledge fealty to Absalom like he did (2 Samuel 17:1–4).
Neither knows that David has a spy in Absalom's court. He commissioned his friend Hushai to counter Ahithophel's advice and send word of Absalom's plan (2 Samuel 15:32–37). Hushai points out that David's warriors will not fall before Ahithophel's forces; they're too experienced and too angry. But if Absalom calls on the tribes to send more men, the new king can lead his new army into battle and completely overrun David (2 Samuel 17:5–12). Even if David hides in a fortified city, they'll have enough men to tear that city apart.
Siege warfare against walled cities was common in this era. Such walled cities were often built on hilltops to better protect them against attack. However, if the attacking armies were large enough, they could use ladders to swarm the walls and secure hooks with ropes in strategic spots. Then the walls could be pulled down, causing the building stones to roll into the valleys below, leaving the town fully defenseless.
Absalom and the elders agree with Hushai. This is not because he has the better plan; Ahithophel's would clearly be wiser. But because God wants Absalom to fall (2 Samuel 17:14). Absalom's part in God's judgment on David is over. He'll now pay for his sin against his father.
