2 Samuel 17:8
6 So Hushai came to Absalom, who told him, “Ahithophel has spoken this proposal. Should we carry it out? If not, what do you say?”
7 Hushai replied, “This time the advice of Ahithophel is not sound.”
He continued, “You know your father and his men. They are mighty men, and as fierce as a wild bear robbed of her cubs. Moreover, your father is a man of war who will not spend the night with the troops.
9 Surely by now he is hiding in a cave or some other location. If some of your troops fall first, whoever hears of it will say, ‘There has been a slaughter among the troops who follow Absalom.’
10 Then even the most valiant soldier with the heart of a lion will melt with fear, because all Israel knows that your father is a mighty man who has valiant men with him.
Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- He continued, “You know your father and his men. They are mighty men, and as fierce as a wild bear robbed of her cubs. Moreover, your father is a man of war who will not spend the night with the troops.
- KJV
- For, said Hushai, thou knowest thy father and his men, that they be mighty men, and they be chafed in their minds, as a bear robbed of her whelps in the field: and thy father is a man of war, and will not lodge with the people.
- WEB
- Hushai said moreover, “You know your father and his men, that they are mighty men, and they are fierce in their minds, like a bear robbed of her cubs in the field. Your father is a man of war, and will not lodge with the people.
- ASV
- Hushai said moreover, Thou knowest thy father and his men, that they are mighty men, and they are chafed in their minds, as a bear robbed of her whelps in the field; and thy father is a man of war, and will not lodge with the people.
- DARBY
- And Hushai said, Thou knowest thy father and his men, that they are mighty men, and they are of exasperated spirit, as a bear robbed of her whelps in the field; and thy father is a man of war, and will not lodge with the people.
- BLB
- And Hushai said, “You know your father and his men, that they [are] mighty men, and they are bitter of spirit, like a bereaved bear in the field. And your father [is] a man of war, and he will not spend the night with the people.
- ÅB
- Og Husai sa: Du kjenner din far og hans menn og vet at de er djerve stridsmenn og gramme i hu som en binne i skogen som de har røvet ungene fra; og din far er en krigsmann og holder seg ikke hos folkene om natten.
- OTB
- Husjai sa videre: "Du kjenner din far og hans menn, at de er mektige, og bitre i sjelen som en bjørn som er frarøvet sine unger på marken. Dessuten er din far en ekspert i krig; han vil ikke tilbringe natten med folket.
- B1930
- Og Husai sa: Du kjenner din far og hans menn og vet at de er djerve stridsmenn og gramme i hu som en binne i skogen som de har røvet ungene fra; og din far er en krigsmann og holder sig ikke hos folkene om natten.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Hosea 13:8
Like a bear robbed of her cubs I will attack them, and I will tear open their chests. There I will devour them like a lion, like a wild beast would tear them apart.
Read in context1 Samuel 16:18
One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the harp. He is a mighty man of valor, a warrior, eloquent and handsome, and the LORD is with him.”
Read in contextDaniel 7:5
Suddenly another beast appeared, which looked like a bear. It was raised up on one of its sides, and it had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. So it was told, ‘Get up and gorge yourself on flesh!’
Read in contextHebrews 11:32–34
And what more shall I say? Time will not allow me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets,
Read in contextProverbs 17:12
It is better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly.
Read in context1 Samuel 23:23
Observe and find out all the places where he hides. Then come back to me with certainty, and I will go with you. If he is in the land, I will search him out among all the clans of Judah.”
Read in context2 Samuel 23:8–9
These are the names of David’s mighty men: Josheb-basshebeth the Tahchemonite was chief of the Three. He wielded his spear against eight hundred men, whom he killed at one time.
Read in context2 Samuel 23:20–22
And Benaiah son of Jehoiada was a man of valor from Kabzeel, a man of many exploits. He struck down two champions of Moab, and on a snowy day he went down into a pit and killed a lion.
Read in context