2 Samuel 17:3
ESV
and I will bring all the people back to you as a bride comes home to her husband. You seek the life of only one man, and all the people will be at peace."
NIV
and bring all the people back to you. The death of the man you seek will mean the return of all; all the people will be unharmed."
NASB
and I will bring all the people back to you. The return of everyone depends on the man whom you are seeking; then all the people will be at peace.'
CSB
and bring all the people back to you. When everyone returns except the man you’re looking for, all the people will be at peace."
NLT
and I will bring all the people back to you as a bride returns to her husband. After all, it is only one man’s life that you seek. Then you will be at peace with all the people.'
KJV
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.
NKJV
Then I will bring back all the people to you. When all return except the man whom you seek, all the people will be at peace.”
What does 2 Samuel 17:3 mean?
David has fled with his servants and personal guard; his son Absalom has control of Jerusalem (2 Samuel 15:13–14, 18; 16:15. On the advice of the wise man Ahithophel, Absalom has shown dominance over his father by sleeping with David's concubines (2 Samuel 16:20–22). Ahithophel knows such an act only bolsters Absalom's supporters. That won't stop David from fighting. He tells Absalom they need to strike immediately. He'll take available men and march to David's camp immediately. The people will be so surprised, they'll flee. Ahithophel will only kill David (2 Samuel 17:1–2). Then he'll bring David's supporters back to Jerusalem where they'll swear fealty to Absalom.Ahithophel is a wise man, and his plan is sound (2 Samuel 16:23; 17:14). David's forces are displaced and unsettled. They are as vulnerable as they're going to be. A rapid strike would be devastating. Hushai, a new addition to Absalom's court, knows this. Since Hushai is really working for David, he will emphasize how David and his men are "mighty" and "enraged" (2 Samuel 17:8). They are seasoned fighters and crafty in warfare. They will intimidate Ahithophel's army moments after they arrive (2 Samuel 17:9–10).
Instead, Hushai will suggest they gather enough men to overwhelm David no matter how many men he has assembled. Absalom can call all the tribes to send soldiers. Only then should they attack with Absalom leading them. Tactically, this is a terrible misstep. It allows time for David to reach safety, collect more men, and prepare for battle. Yet Absalom and his court, aside from Ahithophel, agree to the second plan. They don't know that David planted Hushai to make sure Absalom's plans would fail (2 Samuel 15:32–37). Nor do they know that God made them accept Hushai's advice, so they'd be destroyed.
According to scholars like Harry Hofner, Ahithophel's description is a metaphor for an old Hittite law. If a man and his friends took an engaged woman and ran, the friends of the legal bridegroom had the legal right to chase after them and kill them if they resisted. Then, they would return the woman to the bridegroom.
