2 Samuel 17:3 and bring all the people back to you as a bride returning to her husband. You seek the life of only one man; then all the people will be at peace."

◄ 2 Samuel 17:3 ►

New International Version
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.”

New Living Translation
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.”

English Standard Version
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.”

Berean Standard Bible
and bring all the people back to you as a bride returning to her husband. You seek the life of only one man; then all the people will be at peace.”

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
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.”

New American Standard Bible
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.”

NASB 1995
and I will bring back all the people to you. The return of everyone depends on the man you seek; then all the people will be at peace.”

NASB 1977
and I will bring back all the people to you. The return of everyone depends on the man you seek; then all the people shall be at peace.”

Legacy Standard Bible
and I will cause all the people to return to you. The return of everyone depends on the man you seek; then all the people will be at peace.”

Amplified Bible
and I will bring all the people [who follow David] back to you. The return of everyone depends on the [death of the] man you are seeking; then all the people will be at peace [and accept you as king].”

Christian Standard Bible
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.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
and bring all the people back to you. When everyone returns except the man you’re seeking, all the people will be at peace.”

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
since he's the one you want to get rid of. Then I'll bring the whole nation back to you like a bride coming home to her husband. This way there won't be a civil war.

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I'll return all the people to you as a bride is returned to her husband. Since you will be seeking the life of only one man, all the people will have peace."

Good News Translation
and then bring back all his men to you, like a bride returning to her husband. You want to kill only one man; the rest of the people will be safe."

International Standard Version
Then I'll bring everybody else back to you. When the man you're looking for is dead, all the rest of the people will return quietly."

Majority Standard Bible
and bring all the people back to you as a bride returning to her husband. You seek the life of only one man; then all the people will be at peace.”

NET Bible
and will bring the entire army back to you. In exchange for the life of the man you are seeking, you will get back everyone. The entire army will return unharmed."

New Heart English Bible
Then all the people will come back to you, as a bride returns to her husband. You seek the life of only one man; then all the people will be in peace."

Webster's Bible Translation
And I will bring back all the people to thee: the man whom thou seekest is as if all returned: so all the people shall be in peace.

World English Bible
and I will bring back all the people to you. The man whom you seek is as if all returned. All the people shall be in peace.”

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
and I bring back all the people to you—as the turning back of the whole [except] the man whom you are seeking—[then] all the people are [at] peace.”

Young's Literal Translation
and I bring back all the people unto thee -- as the turning back of the whole is the man whom thou art seeking -- all the people are peace.

Smith's Literal Translation
And I will turn back all the people to thee: as the turning back of all, the man whom thou seekest; and to all the people shall be peace.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And I will bring back all the people, as if they were but one man: for thou seekest but one man: and all the people shall be in peace.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And I will lead back the entire people, returning in the manner of one man. For you are seeking only one man. And all the people shall be in peace.”

New American Bible
Then I can bring back the rest of the people to you, as a bride returns to her husband. It is the death of only one man you are seeking; then all the people will be at peace.”

New Revised Standard Version
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.”

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And I will bring back all the people to you, just as those whom you sought have come back; so all the people shall be in peace.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And I shall turn all the people to you, as every man whom you have desired has turned, and all the people will be at peace!”

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
and I will bring back all the people unto thee; when all shall have returned, [save] the man whom thou seekest, all the people will be in peace.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And I will bring back all the people to thee, as a bride returns to her husband: only thou seekest the life of one man, and all the people shall have peace.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Hushai Counters Ahithophel's Advice
…2I will attack him while he is weak and weary; I will throw him into a panic, and all the people with him will flee; I will strike down only the king 3and bring all the people back to you as a bride returning to her husband. You seek the life of only one man; then all the people will be at peace.” 4This proposal seemed good to Absalom and all the elders of Israel.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

2 Samuel 15:14
And David said to all the servants with him in Jerusalem, “Arise and let us flee, or we will not escape from Absalom! We must leave quickly, or he will soon overtake us, heap disaster on us, and put the city to the sword.”

2 Samuel 16:21-22
Ahithophel replied, “Sleep with your father’s concubines, whom he has left to take care of the palace. When all Israel hears that you have become a stench to your father, then the hands of all who are with you will be strengthened.” / So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and he slept with his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.

2 Samuel 18:19-20
Then Ahimaaz son of Zadok said, “Please let me run and tell the king the good news that the LORD has avenged him of his enemies.” / But Joab replied, “You are not the man to take good news today. You may do it another day, but you must not do so today, because the king’s son is dead.”

2 Samuel 19:9-10
And all the people throughout the tribes of Israel were arguing, “The king rescued us from the hand of our enemies and delivered us from the hand of the Philistines, but now he has fled the land because of Absalom. / But Absalom, the man we anointed over us, has died in battle. So why do you say nothing about restoring the king?”

1 Kings 1:11-12
Then Nathan said to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, “Have you not heard that Adonijah son of Haggith has become king, and our lord David does not know it? / Now please, come and let me advise you. Save your own life and the life of your son Solomon.

1 Kings 2:15
“You know that the kingship was mine,” he said. “All Israel expected that I should reign, but the kingship has turned to my brother, for it has come to him from the LORD.

1 Kings 12:26-27
Jeroboam said in his heart, “Now the kingdom might revert to the house of David. / If these people go up to offer sacrifices in the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, their hearts will return to their lord, Rehoboam king of Judah; then they will kill me and return to Rehoboam king of Judah.”

1 Chronicles 12:38
All these men of war, arrayed for battle, came to Hebron fully determined to make David king over all Israel. And all the rest of the Israelites were of one mind to make David king.

Psalm 3:1-2
A Psalm of David, when he fled from his son Absalom. O LORD, how my foes have increased! How many rise up against me! / Many say of me, “God will not deliver him.” Selah

Psalm 41:9
Even my close friend whom I trusted, the one who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.

Matthew 26:14-16
Then one of the Twelve, the one called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests / and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I hand Him over to you?” And they set out for him thirty pieces of silver. / So from then on Judas looked for an opportunity to betray Jesus.

Matthew 26:47-50
While Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and elders of the people. / Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The One I kiss is the man; arrest Him.” / Going directly to Jesus, he said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him. ...

Mark 14:10-11
Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. / They were delighted to hear this, and they promised to give him money. So Judas began to look for an opportunity to betray Jesus.

Mark 14:43-45
While Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, scribes, and elders. / Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The One I kiss is the man; arrest Him and lead Him away securely.” / Going directly to Jesus, he said, “Rabbi!” and kissed Him.

Luke 22:3-6
Then Satan entered Judas Iscariot, who was one of the Twelve. / And Judas went to discuss with the chief priests and temple officers how he might betray Jesus to them. / They were delighted and agreed to give him money. ...

Treasury of Scripture

And I will bring back all the people to you: the man whom you seek is as if all returned: so all the people shall be in peace.

I will bring

2 Samuel 3:21
And Abner said unto David, I will arise and go, and will gather all Israel unto my lord the king, that they may make a league with thee, and that thou mayest reign over all that thine heart desireth. And David sent Abner away; and he went in peace.

shall be

Isaiah 48:22
There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked.

Isaiah 57:21
There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.

1 Thessalonians 5:3
For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

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2 Samuel 17

1. Ahithophel's counsel is overthrown by Hushai's
15. Secret intelligence is sent unto David
23. Ahithophel hangs himself
25. Amasa is made captain
27. David at Mahanaim is furnished with provisions

Berean Study Bible

and bring all the people back to you
This phrase speaks to the strategy of reconciliation and restoration. The Hebrew root for "bring back" is "שׁוּב" (shuv), which means to return or restore. In the context of ancient Israel, this implies a return to rightful leadership and unity under God's chosen king. Historically, this reflects the importance of a united nation under a divinely appointed ruler, emphasizing the biblical theme of restoration and reconciliation with God.

as a bride returns to her husband
The imagery of a bride returning to her husband is deeply rooted in the covenant relationship between God and His people. The Hebrew culture viewed marriage as a sacred covenant, mirroring the relationship between God and Israel. This phrase evokes the idea of faithfulness, love, and commitment. It suggests that the people of Israel, like a bride, should return to their rightful leader with loyalty and devotion, reflecting the covenantal faithfulness expected in their relationship with God.

You seek the life of only one man
This phrase highlights the focus of the conflict on a single individual, Absalom, who is leading a rebellion against King David. The Hebrew word for "seek" is "בָּקַשׁ" (baqash), meaning to search or pursue. This indicates a targeted effort to resolve the conflict by addressing the root cause, which is Absalom's insurrection. In a broader scriptural context, it underscores the biblical principle of dealing with sin and rebellion at its source to restore peace and order.

and all the people will be at peace
The promise of peace is a central theme in the Bible, often associated with God's blessing and presence. The Hebrew word for peace, "שָׁלוֹם" (shalom), encompasses not just the absence of conflict but also wholeness, prosperity, and well-being. This phrase suggests that by addressing the rebellion and restoring rightful leadership, the nation of Israel can experience true peace. It reflects the biblical vision of peace that comes from living in accordance with God's will and under His appointed leadership.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(3) Bring back all the people.--This evil counsellor, with artful flattery, assumes that Absalom is the rightful king, and that the people who have gone off after David only need to be brought back to their allegiance.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 3. - The man whom thou seekest is as if all returned; Hebrew, as the return of the whole is the man whom thou seekest. Both the amendments of the text and the various translations offered are innumerable, but nothing is really more satisfactory than the literal rendering of the words, virtually given us in the Authorized Version. Naturally, Ahithophel did not wish to parade David's death too openly. In his heart Absalom must have known that the safe possession of the kingdom could be assured him only by his father's death, but yet he might have shrunk from publicly avowing this, and having it talked of before his courtiers as a settled purpose. One reason why he adopted the counsel of Hushai may have been his reluctance to commit parricide: for plainly the one main purpose of Ahithophel was David's death. This thorough traitor may have seen even a tremor of alarm in Absalom's countenance when he spake out his purpose so frankly of "smiting the king only," and may have felt that, slumbering in the besom of the son, was something of that generous spirit which had made the father condemn the Amalekite to death for boasting that he had slain Saul. At all events, he was unwilling to dilate upon so ghastly a theme, and this general reference to David, as the man whom Absalom sought, without dwelling upon the subject, is in far better taste than the coarse open villainy so unreservedly expressed in ver. 2. The reading, however, of the Septuagint has many followers: "And I will bring back all the people to thee as a bride returns to her husband, excepting the life of the one man thou seekest; and for all the people there shall be peace." Ahithophel was bad enough, but scarcely so brutal as to compare to a bridal procession the sad return of David's mourning friends and companions in arms weeping round the corpse of their master murdered at the bidding of his own son.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

and bring all
כָל־ (ḵāl)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the people
הָעָ֖ם (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

back
וְאָשִׁ֥יבָה (wə·’ā·šî·ḇāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative - first person common singular
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

to you.
אֵלֶ֑יךָ (’ê·le·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

When everyone
הַכֹּ֔ל (hak·kōl)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

returns
כְּשׁ֣וּב (kə·šūḇ)
Preposition-k | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

except the man
הָאִישׁ֙ (hā·’îš)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

you
אַתָּ֣ה (’at·tāh)
Pronoun - second person masculine singular
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

seek,
מְבַקֵּ֔שׁ (mə·ḇaq·qêš)
Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 1245: To search out, to strive after

all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the people
הָעָ֖ם (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

will be
יִהְיֶ֥ה (yih·yeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

at peace.”
שָׁלֽוֹם׃ (šā·lō·wm)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7965: Safe, well, happy, friendly, welfare, health, prosperity, peace

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OT History: 2 Samuel 17:3 And I will bring back all (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)