2 Samuel 18 4

2 Samuel 18:4 kjv

And the king said unto them, What seemeth you best I will do. And the king stood by the gate side, and all the people came out by hundreds and by thousands.

2 Samuel 18:4 nkjv

Then the king said to them, "Whatever seems best to you I will do." So the king stood beside the gate, and all the people went out by hundreds and by thousands.

2 Samuel 18:4 niv

The king answered, "I will do whatever seems best to you." So the king stood beside the gate while all his men marched out in units of hundreds and of thousands.

2 Samuel 18:4 esv

The king said to them, "Whatever seems best to you I will do." So the king stood at the side of the gate, while all the army marched out by hundreds and by thousands.

2 Samuel 18:4 nlt

"If you think that's the best plan, I'll do it," the king answered. So he stood alongside the gate of the town as all the troops marched out in groups of hundreds and of thousands.

2 Samuel 18 verses

2 Samuel 18 4 Meaning

Second Samuel 18:4 reveals King David's wise decision to accept the counsel of his military commanders regarding his direct participation in the battle against Absalom. Recognizing their sound advice to protect him as the symbol of Israel's strength, David yielded to their judgment, choosing to remain in a strategic oversight position. Consequently, the loyal Israelite army under his command demonstrated impressive discipline and unity by marching out in well-ordered units, prepared for the decisive conflict.

2 Samuel 18 4 Context

Chapter 18 of 2 Samuel describes the climactic battle of Absalom's rebellion against King David. After being forced to flee Jerusalem in 2 Samuel 15, David, though advanced in years, successfully rallied loyal forces and strategically organized his camp across the Jordan. In the preceding verses (2 Sam 18:1-3), David had already mustered his troops and, driven by his personal courage and a sense of duty, expressed his intent to lead them into battle personally, echoing his past actions as a warrior-king. However, his loyal and experienced commanders (likely Joab, Abishai, and Ittai, as mentioned in verse 2) strongly opposed this, fearing that if David were to fall, the entire Israelite army would be demoralized and potentially annihilated. They argued that David, as the "lamp of Israel" (a concept solidified later in 2 Sam 21:17), was worth more than ten thousand of them, emphasizing his irreplaceable symbolic and unifying presence. This verse marks David's pivotal decision to prioritize the strategic counsel of his trusted advisors over his personal inclination, highlighting his wisdom in mature leadership and his deep trust in his people.

2 Samuel 18 4 Word analysis

• The king: Refers specifically to King David. At this point in his reign, David embodies both significant authority and vulnerability. This designation emphasizes his regal status even in flight, contrasting with Absalom's usurpation.
• said to them: This implies a direct conversation and highlights a crucial exchange between David and his chief military commanders (Joab, Abishai, Ittai) who had just voiced their strong concerns for his safety. It shows a king who listens to his subordinates.
• “Whatever seems best to you”: The Hebrew phrase is טוֹב בְּעֵינֵיכֶם (ṭōḇ bəʿênêḵem), literally "good in your eyes" or "what is good in your opinion." This is a significant phrase demonstrating David’s humility, trust, and willingness to defer his personal desire for combat to the collective wisdom of his experienced leaders. It underscores a change from earlier, perhaps more impetuous, decisions and reflects mature, secure leadership. He seeks and accepts strategic counsel, a mark of wise governance (Prov 11:14).
• I will do": This signifies immediate and unconditional compliance with their recommendation. David's prompt agreement underscores his commitment to his commanders' advice and the unity of purpose within his leadership. It shows trust and reinforces his authority not through brute force but through acquiescence to sound wisdom.
• So the king stood: David's physical action of remaining in place, observable to the departing troops, confirms his agreement. This visible presence serves as an encouragement to the army, despite him not joining the actual fight. He is a silent witness, a symbol of royal support and continuity.
• beside the gate: The city gate in ancient Israel was a pivotal public space. It served as a place of civic assembly, legal proceedings, market activity, and crucially, as a military checkpoint and strategic egress/ingress point for a city's defenses. David’s presence there allowed him to observe his army’s departure and would have been the logical place for news and reports to return (2 Sam 18:24-27). His choice to stand there highlights both visibility and a command position, yet one safely outside the direct fray.
• and all the army: This refers to the entirety of the forces loyal to David who had gathered to confront Absalom. It emphasizes unity and collective action.
• marched out: Implies disciplined movement and military precision, suggesting a well-ordered and trained fighting force, prepared for battle.
• by hundreds and by thousands: This describes the precise organizational structure of the Israelite army. This military formation, where units were divided into companies of one hundred and divisions of one thousand men (as seen in Num 10:4, Deut 1:15), was a standard Israelite and ancient Near Eastern practice. It demonstrates excellent military order, strategic deployment, and discipline among David’s forces, signifying their readiness and effectiveness in contrast to the perhaps more hastily gathered and less organized forces of Absalom.

2 Samuel 18 4 Bonus section

• This verse stands in stark contrast to David's personal actions in 2 Samuel 11, where he deliberately chose to not go out to battle, staying in Jerusalem, which ultimately led to his sin with Bathsheba and the subsequent familial tragedies, including Absalom's rebellion. Here, David is urged by his advisors to remain behind for the right reasons—for the preservation of his kingship and the welfare of Israel—and he wisely accedes.
• The argument "you are worth ten thousand of us" (v. 3) reflects the ancient understanding of a king's profound significance, not merely as a military leader but as the very embodiment of the nation's spiritual and physical well-being. This perspective undergirds the advisors' impassioned plea and David's eventual compliance.
• The mention of the "gate" underscores its multifunctional significance in Israelite society. Beyond its military importance, it was also the hub of public life, where elders dispensed justice and significant pronouncements were made (Deut 21:19, Prov 31:23). David's position here symbolized his continued oversight and authority over the nation, even as battle ensued.

2 Samuel 18 4 Commentary

Second Samuel 18:4 provides a crucial glimpse into King David's mature leadership. Faced with the ultimate challenge to his reign from his own son, David's first instinct, as an experienced warrior, was to personally lead his troops into battle. However, his loyal commanders, acutely aware of his indispensable value as "the lamp of Israel," wisely prevailed upon him to stay behind. Their counsel underscored not only his vulnerability but his profound symbolic importance to the stability and hope of the nation. David's acquiescence to "whatever seems best to you" marks a significant display of humility, trust in his subordinates, and the wisdom to prioritize strategic necessity over personal glory or inclination. This act solidifies his leadership, demonstrating a secure authority that can delegate and rely on the discernment of others. His decision contrasts sharply with the folly of kings who reject good counsel, leading to their downfall (as exemplified by Rehoboam). By remaining at the gate, David maintained a visible presence of support and command while ensuring his personal safety, thereby preserving the unity and morale of his forces. The disciplined march of "hundreds and thousands" further testifies to the organized and ready nature of David's loyal army, prepared to defend their king and kingdom with unwavering resolve. This verse encapsulates David's strategic foresight and his dependence on God's people as he faces one of the darkest moments of his reign.