2 Samuel 17 10

2 Samuel 17:10 kjv

And he also that is valiant, whose heart is as the heart of a lion, shall utterly melt: for all Israel knoweth that thy father is a mighty man, and they which be with him are valiant men.

2 Samuel 17:10 nkjv

And even he who is valiant, whose heart is like the heart of a lion, will melt completely. For all Israel knows that your father is a mighty man, and those who are with him are valiant men.

2 Samuel 17:10 niv

Then even the bravest soldier, whose heart is like the heart of a lion, will melt with fear, for all Israel knows that your father is a fighter and that those with him are brave.

2 Samuel 17:10 esv

Then even the valiant man, whose heart is like the heart of a lion, will utterly melt with fear, for all Israel knows that your father is a mighty man, and that those who are with him are valiant men.

2 Samuel 17:10 nlt

Then even the bravest soldiers, though they have the heart of a lion, will be paralyzed with fear. For all Israel knows what a mighty warrior your father is and how courageous his men are.

2 Samuel 17 verses

2 Samuel 17 10 Meaning

Ahithophel’s counsel to Absalom posits that even the most courageous of David’s current followers, whose bravery is likened to a lion’s heart, will be utterly demoralized and flee in panic at the prospect of immediate battle. This predicted collapse stems from the widely acknowledged reputation throughout Israel that David is an exceptionally skilled warrior, and that the men accompanying him are also highly formidable and experienced fighters. Ahithophel used this collective awareness of David’s power to argue for a swift and overwhelming attack, believing it would psychologically break David's loyalists.

2 Samuel 17 10 Context

Chapter 17 of 2 Samuel describes Ahithophel's advice to Absalom following the coup against David. Ahithophel, renowned for his wise counsel, suggests immediate and decisive action: pursuing David with a specific number of men to kill him before he can regroup and solidify his support. This particular verse (17:10) is a crucial part of Ahithophel’s argument for swiftness. He aims to convince Absalom that despite David's fearsome reputation and the loyalty of his accompanying warriors, their psychological state is precarious due to their recent flight and scattering. He implies that the sheer force and decisiveness of Absalom’s army would exploit this weakness, leading to a quick and complete victory. This counsel is later rejected in favor of Hushai's deceptive advice, orchestrated by divine intervention.

2 Samuel 17 10 Word analysis

• Then (wǝʾaz): This connective particle signals a logical consequence or a resultant action based on the premise or previous counsel. It emphasizes the direct outcome Ahithophel foresees from his proposed strategy.
• even he (gam hûʾ): The Hebrew particle gam emphasizes "even" or "also," highlighting the extreme example. Ahithophel doesn't just refer to anyone, but to the most exceptional individual, making his claim more potent.
• who is valiant (gîbbôr): The term gibbor (גִּבּוֹר) signifies a mighty one, a strong warrior, a hero. It denotes prowess, strength, and courage in battle. Ahithophel uses this to set a high benchmark, suggesting that even top-tier warriors will falter.
• whose heart (lēḇāḇô): The heart (lev or levav) in biblical Hebrew refers not just to the physical organ, but the seat of emotions, will, intellect, and moral character. It represents inner resolve and courage.
• is like the heart of a lion (ḵəliḇ hāʾaryēh): This is a powerful simile. The lion (aryeh) was a ubiquitous symbol of strength, ferocity, courage, and majesty in the ancient Near East. To possess a "lion's heart" was to be incredibly brave, bold, and fearless, often the pinnacle of human courage in battle. Ahithophel invokes this imagery to magnify the extent of the panic he predicts.
• will utterly melt (māṯôq yimmāq): This employs a linguistic device called infinitive absolute (verb + infinitive), which expresses intensity, certainty, or completion of an action. The root maq (מָקַק) means to "dissolve, rot, melt." Used metaphorically, it vividly describes a complete loss of resolve, a psychological collapse, or even a physical wasting away due from overwhelming fear, similar to water evaporating or metal turning molten.
• for (kî): This conjunction introduces the reason or justification for Ahithophel’s preceding statement. It establishes the widely known basis for his prediction.
• all Israel knows (yādaʿ kol-yiśrāʾēl): "All Israel" highlights the widespread and public knowledge. Ahithophel bases his argument on an undeniable truth known to everyone, lending weight to his counsel. This implies that even Absalom's supporters carry this underlying respect and fear of David.
• that your father (ʾāḇîḵā): A direct, familial reference emphasizing the personal stake Absalom has and the established identity of David.
• is a mighty man (ʾîš milḥāmāh): Literally, "a man of war" (אִישׁ מִלְחָמָה). This term indicates an experienced, formidable, and highly skilled combatant, emphasizing David's reputation not just as a king but as a seasoned warrior, battle-hardened and strategically brilliant.
• and that those who are with him (wəhāʾănāšîm ʾăšer ʾittô): Refers to David's personal retinue and veteran soldiers, including his well-known "mighty men" who were legends in their own right.
• are valiant men (gibbôrîm): The plural of gibbor, reaffirming the individual bravery and military prowess of David’s followers, adding to the collective formidable nature of David’s remaining force.

Words-group Analysis:

• "even he who is valiant, whose heart is like the heart of a lion": This phrase portrays the absolute peak of human courage. Ahithophel establishes this high standard only to claim it will spectacularly fail. It amplifies the intended shock and awe of Absalom’s anticipated attack, suggesting even the best of David's loyalists are not immune to terror when faced with an overwhelming force that acknowledges David's past prowess.
• "will utterly melt": This conveys an image of total and irrevocable demoralization. It's not just a retreat but a complete loss of composure, turning what was once solid courage into formless terror, an ultimate breakdown of will. The infinitive absolute reinforces this catastrophic outcome.
• "for all Israel knows that your father is a mighty man, and that those who are with him are valiant men": This establishes the psychological foundation for Ahithophel's plan. He recognizes David’s formidable reputation is both his strength and, if properly exploited, his potential weakness against overwhelming odds. This phrase shows Ahithophel’s keen insight into psychological warfare, using public perception to predict a swift collapse rather than prolonged battle.

2 Samuel 17 10 Bonus section

Ahithophel's counsel highlights the importance of public perception and the psychological dimension in ancient conflicts. His strategy was based on David's formidable renown which itself could demoralize an opposing force. This speaks to a strategic use of 'soft power' – reputation and perceived invincibility – alongside 'hard power' (the physical attack). The ironic outcome, where God frustrates such seemingly impeccable human wisdom, underscores a recurring biblical theme: divine intervention can overturn even the most expertly crafted human schemes, revealing God's absolute sovereignty over kings and nations.

2 Samuel 17 10 Commentary

Ahithophel’s counsel in 2 Samuel 17:10 is a masterclass in military strategy rooted in psychological warfare. He leverages David's universally acknowledged prowess as "a man of war" and the valor of his elite followers, not as an obstacle, but as the very reason why an immediate, overwhelming strike would succeed. Ahithophel reasoned that David's renowned ferocity, when suddenly encountered in a moment of vulnerability, would provoke panic even in the most hardened veteran, causing their courage, symbolized by a lion's heart, to "melt." This speaks to the crucial role of morale in ancient warfare.

However, Ahithophel, in his human wisdom, failed to account for a divine dimension. He meticulously assessed human courage, military reputation, and strategic timing, but overlooked the unshakeable truth that David's true strength derived from the Lord. God’s protective hand over David would frustrate Ahithophel’s otherwise sound counsel, leading to his self-destruction and ultimately David’s restoration. The "melting" would not happen to David's men, because God would intervene to strengthen their hearts or turn Absalom's decisions astray.

Practically, this verse reminds us that:

• Human plans, no matter how insightful or logically sound, are subject to God's ultimate will (Prov 19:21).
• Reputations, though powerful, do not determine final outcomes; God’s anointing and purpose do.
• Fear can indeed utterly melt courage, yet God can instill bravery even in the face of daunting odds.