2 Samuel 18 3

2 Samuel 18:3 kjv

But the people answered, Thou shalt not go forth: for if we flee away, they will not care for us; neither if half of us die, will they care for us: but now thou art worth ten thousand of us: therefore now it is better that thou succor us out of the city.

2 Samuel 18:3 nkjv

But the people answered, "You shall not go out! For if we flee away, they will not care about us; nor if half of us die, will they care about us. But you are worth ten thousand of us now. For you are now more help to us in the city."

2 Samuel 18:3 niv

But the men said, "You must not go out; if we are forced to flee, they won't care about us. Even if half of us die, they won't care; but you are worth ten thousand of us. It would be better now for you to give us support from the city."

2 Samuel 18:3 esv

But the men said, "You shall not go out. For if we flee, they will not care about us. If half of us die, they will not care about us. But you are worth ten thousand of us. Therefore it is better that you send us help from the city."

2 Samuel 18:3 nlt

But his men objected strongly. "You must not go," they urged. "If we have to turn and run ? and even if half of us die ? it will make no difference to Absalom's troops; they will be looking only for you. You are worth 10,000 of us, and it is better that you stay here in the town and send help if we need it."

2 Samuel 18 verses

2 Samuel 18 3 Meaning

This verse conveys the heartfelt and strategic plea of David's loyal subjects to keep him from joining them directly in the battle against Absalom. They reasoned that his death, or even his flight, would be catastrophic, arguing that his life was infinitely more valuable than that of thousands of soldiers. They believed his presence was essential for their overall morale and ultimate success, therefore advocating for him to remain in the city, ready to provide strategic support rather than engage on the front lines. This decision highlights David's irreplaceable significance to his kingdom and its future.

2 Samuel 18 3 Context

This verse is situated at a critical juncture in Absalom's rebellion against his father, King David. After months of Absalom building popular support and usurping the throne in Hebron, David had fled Jerusalem with his loyal followers. As Absalom's army pursued them, David organized his forces in preparation for a decisive battle in the forest of Ephraim. At this moment, David intends to lead his troops personally, as kings often did. However, his seasoned and loyal military commanders, representing the collective wisdom and devotion of the army, strongly urge him to refrain. They understand that David is not just a general but the divinely appointed king, the unifying symbol of their cause, and the hope for their nation's future. His survival is paramount to their continued existence as a kingdom and people under God.

2 Samuel 18 3 Word analysis

• "But the people answered": (וַיֹּאמֶר הָעָם - vayyōmer hāʿām) "People" (`hāʿām`): Refers specifically to the assembled fighting men, David's loyal army, demonstrating their collective voice and strong conviction. The phrase shows a moment where the subjects respectfully, yet firmly, challenge the king's initial decision. It signifies their loyalty not merely to a command but to David's long-term welfare and the kingdom's stability.
• "You must not go out!": (לֹא תֵצֵא - lō' tētsē') A direct and emphatic prohibition. The use of the negative `lō'` with the jussive (imperative sense) indicates a firm, even pleading, command from the people to their king, demonstrating deep concern for his safety and a recognition of his irreplaceable value. It implies their strategic reasoning supersedes the traditional role of a king leading in battle.
• "For if we flee, they will not care for us;": (כִּי אִם־נָנוּס נֹקֵשׁוּ לָנוּ - kī im-nānūs nōqēšū lānū) "Flee" (`nānūs`): To scatter or retreat in battle. "They will not care for us" (`nōqēšū lānū`): Literally, "they will not set their heart upon us" or "they will not pay attention to us." It implies their defeat or death would be inconsequential to Absalom's forces, as their primary target, David, would still be elusive. The enemy's focus is on the king.
• "and if half of us die, they will not care for us.": (וְאִם־יָמוּתוּ חֶצְיֵנוּ לֹא יָשִׂימוּ אֲלֵינוּ לֵב - wəʾim-yāmūṭū ḥetsyēnū lō' yāśīmū ʾālênū lēḇ) "Half of us die": A dire hypothetical, illustrating an extreme scenario of military loss. "Will not care for us": Reiteration of the previous point, emphasizing that even massive casualties among the soldiers would be secondary in the enemy's calculation compared to securing David himself. This underlines David's symbolic and strategic weight.
• "But you are worth ten thousand of us!": (כִּי־אַתָּה כָּמוּנוּ עֲשֶׂרֶת אֲלָפִים - kī ʾattâ kāāmūnû ʿăśeret ʾălāfīm) "You are worth" (`kāāmūnû`): "As we," "like us," indicating a comparative measure. "Ten thousand" (`ʿăśeret ʾălāfīm`): This is an idiomatic expression for an immense, incalculable value, denoting one's singular importance far exceeding a multitude. It harkens back to the women's song in 1 Sam 18:7, cementing David's established, unparalleled significance in Israel. It points to his leadership, his role as God's anointed, his experience, and his being the rallying point for the entire nation.
• "Therefore it is better that you be ready to help us from the city.": (וְעַתָּה טוֹב כִּי תִהְיֶה לָּנוּ מֵהָעִיר לַעְזֹר - wəʿattâ ṭōv kî tihyeh lānnû mēhāʿîr laʿăzōr) "Better" (`ṭōv`): Signifies superior judgment or the most advantageous course of action. "Ready to help" (`lihiyot lanu laʿăzor`): Indicates David should be in a position of strategic oversight and support rather than direct combat. This implies a readiness for future aid, tactical counsel, or even leading reinforcements, maintaining stability. "From the city": Suggests a secure, strategic location (like Mahanaim), where he can ensure logistical support, governance, and moral strength for his army and nation. This also protects him from targeted assassination.

• "But the people answered, “You must not go out!” (Unified Prohibition): This segment reveals the collective wisdom and profound loyalty of David's men. They dare to counter their king's intention out of a deep concern for his indispensable value, setting aside military protocol for the sake of strategic imperative. This collective resolve underscores the strong bond and trust between David and his most faithful.
• "For if we flee... and if half of us die, they will not care for us." (Strategic Assessment of Casualty Irrelevance): This phrase showcases the army's understanding of the psychological warfare and the true objective of the enemy: the elimination of King David. They shrewdly acknowledge that the enemy would not pause for their lesser losses if David, the primary target, remained unharmed or at large. It reveals a clear grasp of their own expendability versus their king's irreplaceability in the enemy's eyes.
• "But you are worth ten thousand of us!" (Statement of Supreme Value): This core statement hyperbolically articulates David's immense worth. It is not merely a quantitative statement but highlights his spiritual, political, and symbolic significance. As God's anointed king, his presence embodied the legitimacy of the kingdom and the hope for its continuity. His survival meant the preservation of Israel's future.
• "Therefore it is better that you be ready to help us from the city." (Proposed Alternative and Strategic Role): The people don't just state the problem; they offer a clear, tactical solution. They envision David not as a direct combatant, but as a central, guiding force. His presence in a secure position implies a role of command, oversight, potential reinforcements, and ensuring stability in the event of any outcome, embodying continued leadership.

2 Samuel 18 3 Bonus section

• David's willingness to listen to his subordinates and defer to their strategic judgment underscores his own wisdom and humility, especially contrasting with his often-impulsive nature elsewhere in his reign. This also shows a strong leadership quality that Absalom conspicuously lacked, as Absalom typically listened only to counsel that affirmed his own desires.
• The counsel to David here foreshadows a similar event in 2 Sam 21:17, where his men again swear he will no longer go out to battle with them after he narrowly escapes death. This establishes a recurring theme of David's physical preservation for the good of the kingdom, illustrating the people's ongoing commitment to safeguarding their God-anointed king.
• The "ten thousand" comparison connects to David's earliest fame and identity (1 Sam 18:7), showing that even years later and through scandals, his fundamental value as Israel's champion and divinely chosen leader remained intact in the eyes of his loyalists. His symbolic weight remained powerful.

2 Samuel 18 3 Commentary

2 Samuel 18:3 is a pivotal moment demonstrating profound loyalty and strategic wisdom among David's followers. It succinctly articulates David's irreplaceable value to his kingdom during Absalom's rebellion. The army's argument, "you are worth ten thousand of us," emphasizes that David's life was not merely valuable but indispensable, representing the very core and future of their nation. His presence as king symbolized the continuity of the legitimate reign and divine favor, while his death would undoubtedly lead to utter demoralization and collapse, effectively rendering any individual sacrifice by the soldiers meaningless. This wisdom, humbly accepted by David, contrasts with Absalom's folly in rejecting wise counsel, ultimately leading to his demise. The verse highlights the vital role of godly leadership, affirming that preserving the king's life was paramount for the stability and survival of Israel, anticipating, in a sense, the critical impact of a shepherd on his flock, albeit a human one.