2 Samuel 17:28
ESV
brought beds, basins, and earthen vessels, wheat, barley, flour, parched grain, beans and lentils,
NIV
brought bedding and bowls and articles of pottery. They also brought wheat and barley, flour and roasted grain, beans and lentils,
NASB
brought beds, basins, pottery, wheat, barley, flour, roasted grain, beans, lentils, roasted seeds,
CSB
brought beds, basins, and pottery items. They also brought wheat, barley, flour, roasted grain, beans, lentils,
NLT
They brought sleeping mats, cooking pots, serving bowls, wheat and barley, flour and roasted grain, beans, lentils,
KJV
Brought beds, and basons, and earthen vessels, and wheat, and barley, and flour, and parched corn, and beans, and lentiles, and parched pulse,
NKJV
brought beds and basins, earthen vessels and wheat, barley and flour, parched grain and beans, lentils and parched seeds,
What does 2 Samuel 17:28 mean?
David reacted to his son Absalom's coup as if he had extraordinarily little warning. Absalom asked to go to Hebron to sacrifice to God and fulfill a debt. David didn't know Absalom spent four years winning the hearts of the people and planning his rebellion. In Hebron, he declared himself king and led a large contingent toward Jerusalem (2 Samuel 15:1–12).The last thing David wanted was a war within the city walls. As soon as he heard about Absalom, he scrambled his servants to grab what they could and run. His two units of Philistine bodyguards came with him as well as the Philistine militia he'd only just hired (2 Samuel 15:18–23). Somewhere along the way, Abishai and the mighty men joined them (2 Samuel 16:6, 9). They made it to the near side of a ford across the Jordan River, exhausted, and waited, not knowing if they needed to cross or if Absalom would give them time to rest (2 Samuel 16:14).
Soon, David's network of spies proved successful. Messengers arrived, warning them to cross immediately. By dawn the next day, they were over (2 Samuel 17:21–22). They continued, north and east, to Mahanaim on the eastern border of Israel. Finally, they can recover physically. The son of the late king of Ammon and Mephibosheth's former patron give them encouragement. Even better, the old man Barzillai brings everything they need. In addition to beds, washing basins, grains, and lentils, he provides honey, curds, cheese, and even sheep (2 Samuel 17:29).
This is desperately needed rest. Absalom has crossed the Jordan with his army and set up camp (2 Samuel 17:24). Once the men have slept and eaten, David divides his fighting men into groups of thousands under the command of Joab, Abishai, and Ittai, the Philistine mercenary leader. They won't let David come so that he will be safe no matter what the outcome. He sends them off and waits at the city gate for word of the battle (2 Samuel 18:1–4).
