2 Samuel 17 28

2 Samuel 17:28 kjv

Brought beds, and basins, and earthen vessels, and wheat, and barley, and flour, and parched corn, and beans, and lentils, and parched pulse,

2 Samuel 17:28 nkjv

brought beds and basins, earthen vessels and wheat, barley and flour, parched grain and beans, lentils and parched seeds,

2 Samuel 17:28 niv

brought bedding and bowls and articles of pottery. They also brought wheat and barley, flour and roasted grain, beans and lentils,

2 Samuel 17:28 esv

brought beds, basins, and earthen vessels, wheat, barley, flour, parched grain, beans and lentils,

2 Samuel 17:28 nlt

They brought sleeping mats, cooking pots, serving bowls, wheat and barley, flour and roasted grain, beans, lentils,

2 Samuel 17 verses

2 Samuel 17 28 Meaning

This verse details the crucial provisions brought to David and his loyal followers as they fled Absalom’s rebellion and arrived in Mahanaim. It enumerates a wide array of essential items: various sleeping arrangements and containers for daily living, alongside a comprehensive selection of staple food items like wheat, barley, flour, parched grain, beans, and lentils. These provisions signify a compassionate, strategic, and abundant supply of basic necessities for David's weary and destitute company, demonstrating profound loyalty and commitment from the providers to the king and his cause.

2 Samuel 17 28 Context

Chapter 17 of 2 Samuel describes David’s flight from Jerusalem due to Absalom's rebellion. David is a fugitive, displaced from his throne and kingdom, relying on the loyalty of a few faithful individuals and his remaining troops. Following Hushai's successful disruption of Ahithophel's counsel (2 Sam 17:1-14) and the narrow escape of Jonathan and Ahimaaz (2 Sam 17:15-22), David and his company safely cross the Jordan River and arrive in Mahanaim. This remote Transjordanian city became their temporary headquarters, a place of safety but also one where resources would quickly be strained given the large number of people with David. The verse immediately follows the description of David’s arrival in Mahanaim (2 Sam 17:24) and the organization of his army. Verse 28 describes the essential act of provision that addresses the urgent physical needs of David and his entourage during this time of profound crisis and uncertainty.

2 Samuel 17 28 Word analysis

• brought: The Hebrew verb 'higiʿu' (הִגִּֽיעוּ) indicates 'they arrived' or 'they brought', specifically the act of causing items to reach a destination. It highlights the intentional effort to deliver these crucial supplies.
• beds (מִשְׁכָּב, mishkav): These refer to various forms of sleeping provisions, from simple mats to more structured sleeping places. Their inclusion indicates a concern for rest and comfort, not just bare survival, allowing David and his weary company to recover. This suggests foresight for sustained dwelling.
• basins (סַפּוֹת, sappot): These were bowls or shallow dishes used for washing or serving food. Their provision speaks to the fundamental need for hygiene and proper dining, ensuring a measure of civilized living despite their refugee status.
• earthenware vessels (כְּלִי יוֹצֵר, keli yotzer): These were common, sturdy, and practical pottery containers. They would have been used for cooking, storing water, and serving food. Their presence points to establishing functional living conditions, underscoring the necessity of everyday utilities for a large group.
• wheat (חִטִּים, ḥiṭṭim), barley (שְׂעֹרִים, śĕʿorim), flour (קֶמַח, qemaḥ): These are the staple grains of the ancient world. Wheat was often preferred for fine bread, while barley was more robust, cheaper, and used for animal feed or common sustenance. Flour implies processed grain ready for baking. Together, they signify a substantial and fundamental food supply, foundational to their diet.
• parched grain (קָלִי, qali): Roasted, ripe kernels of grain. This was a readily consumed, non-perishable snack or light meal, ideal for journeys or quick sustenance. Its inclusion reflects practicality for a mobile or dispersed group.
• beans (פּוֹל, pol), lentils (עֲדָשִׁים, ʿădāšim): These legumes were essential sources of protein and fiber, complementing the grain-based diet. They also stored well. Their variety indicates a comprehensive approach to provisioning, offering nutritional diversity.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "brought beds, basins, earthenware vessels": This initial grouping highlights the provision of household and domestic essentials beyond just food. It shows a concern for the living conditions, comfort, and basic sanitation for David's camp, reflecting a profound level of care and generosity aimed at making their exile habitable.
• "and wheat, barley, flour, parched grain, beans, lentils": This list is a comprehensive catalog of basic foodstuffs. The variety, including both processed flour and ready-to-eat parched grain, alongside staple grains and legumes, signifies an abundant, well-planned, and nutritionally diverse supply sufficient to sustain a large group for an extended period. It speaks volumes about the generosity and forethought of the benefactors.

2 Samuel 17 28 Bonus section

• Identity and Significance of the Providers: The three men are critical to understanding the generosity. Shobi, an Ammonite, remarkably demonstrates loyalty to David despite past conflicts between Ammon and Israel, possibly indicative of diplomatic relations or personal allegiance forged. Machir, who previously sheltered Mephibosheth (2 Sam 9:4-5), shows a consistent pattern of kindness and loyalty, extending it from the house of Saul to the house of David. Barzillai is later identified as an exceedingly wealthy and elderly Gileadite (2 Sam 19:31-39), making his grand provision reflective of his immense resources and noble character.
• Symbolic Contrast: The acts of Shobi, Machir, and Barzillai stand in stark contrast to Absalom’s destructive and selfish rebellion. While Absalom sowed discord and aimed for seizure, these men actively sustained life, showing selfless dedication and a belief in David’s legitimate kingship even in his weakness.
• Mahanaim's Role: Mahanaim, meaning "two camps," was historically significant (Gen 32:2) as the place where Jacob encountered angels, underscoring its potential as a divinely protected refuge. Its location across the Jordan offered a buffer from immediate pursuit and provided time for David to reorganize. The bringing of supplies to this specific location underscores the arduous journey of relief and the depth of the commitment involved.
• Beyond Sustenance: The items provided, particularly the bedding and vessels, suggest an intention to restore a semblance of dignity and order for David and his loyalists, not just to prevent starvation. It reflects a care that goes beyond basic physical need, addressing the psychological and communal aspects of their suffering.

2 Samuel 17 28 Commentary

2 Samuel 17:28 illustrates a powerful moment of loyal support and divine provision in David's life during his flight from Absalom. As David, the Lord's anointed, was stripped of his royal comforts and reduced to a refugee, three faithful individuals—Shobi, Machir, and Barzillai—stepped forward with overwhelming generosity. The comprehensive list of provisions—ranging from essential sleeping gear and domestic vessels to a diverse array of staple foods—demonstrates their astute understanding of what a large, distressed camp truly needed. This act was not merely a handout but a full equipping for survival and a degree of restored normalcy in their desperate situation. It underscores the practical manifestation of love, loyalty, and hospitality in a time of severe trial, reminding us that God often uses human agents, even from unexpected origins (like Shobi the Ammonite), to care for His people and sustain His purposes during times of hardship. This practical aid for the physically needy embodies the heart of God’s providential care.