2 Samuel 19 7

2 Samuel 19:7 kjv

Now therefore arise, go forth, and speak comfortably unto thy servants: for I swear by the LORD, if thou go not forth, there will not tarry one with thee this night: and that will be worse unto thee than all the evil that befell thee from thy youth until now.

2 Samuel 19:7 nkjv

Now therefore, arise, go out and speak comfort to your servants. For I swear by the LORD, if you do not go out, not one will stay with you this night. And that will be worse for you than all the evil that has befallen you from your youth until now."

2 Samuel 19:7 niv

Now go out and encourage your men. I swear by the LORD that if you don't go out, not a man will be left with you by nightfall. This will be worse for you than all the calamities that have come on you from your youth till now."

2 Samuel 19:7 esv

Now therefore arise, go out and speak kindly to your servants, for I swear by the LORD, if you do not go, not a man will stay with you this night, and this will be worse for you than all the evil that has come upon you from your youth until now."

2 Samuel 19:7 nlt

Now go out there and congratulate your troops, for I swear by the LORD that if you don't go out, not a single one of them will remain here tonight. Then you will be worse off than ever before."

2 Samuel 19 verses

2 Samuel 19 7 Meaning

2 Samuel 19:7 is a stark admonition from Joab to King David, urging him to cease his excessive mourning over Absalom's death and immediately engage with his victorious troops. Joab warns David that if he fails to go out and speak kindly to his soldiers, not a single man will remain with him by nightfall. This complete desertion, Joab asserts, would be a calamity far worse than anything David had ever experienced in his life, threatening the very stability of his kingship. The verse emphasizes the critical importance of a leader's visible appreciation and acknowledgment of those who risk their lives for him, especially after a great struggle.

2 Samuel 19 7 Context

This verse occurs at a critical juncture following the defeat of Absalom's rebellion. King David's son Absalom has been killed, bringing an end to the civil war that tore the kingdom apart. However, instead of celebrating the hard-won victory and the preservation of his reign, David retreated into an intense and private mourning for Absalom. He covered his face, wailed loudly, and wished he had died in his son's stead (2 Sam 18:33; 19:1-4). This deeply disheartened his victorious troops, who felt their bravery and sacrifice were unappreciated, their triumph turned into sorrow, and their King isolated and distant. They were effectively shamed rather than honored. It is in this demoralized atmosphere that Joab, David's blunt and often ruthless commander, approaches the king to deliver a direct, unvarnished rebuke and an urgent command. The historical context reflects a time when a king's visible leadership and interaction with his army were paramount for maintaining morale and loyalty, as desertion was a constant threat.

2 Samuel 19 7 Word analysis

• Now therefore: This phrase functions as a strong transition, signaling a direct, urgent, and logical consequence derived from the dire situation (David's mourning). It means, "Given the circumstances, this is what must be done."
• arise (Hebrew: קוּם, qum): An imperative verb meaning "to stand up, to rise, to get up." Here, it's not merely a physical action but a command to rouse oneself from lethargy and inaction. It implies taking initiative, assuming responsibility, and resuming one's rightful posture of leadership. It signifies a transition from a state of passive grief to active kingship.
• go forth (Hebrew: יְצֵא, yatza): Also an imperative verb, meaning "to go out, to proceed." David had been withdrawn into a house; this commands him to appear publicly, to step out into the camp where his soldiers were. It represents presence, visibility, and engaging with the reality of his kingdom.
• and speak comfortably (Hebrew: וְדַבֵּר עַל־לֵב, v'dabber al-lev): This is an idiomatic expression meaning "speak to the heart," "to encourage," "to comfort," or "to reassure." It's more than just talking; it's communicating empathy, appreciation, and solidarity. Joab understands that David's soldiers need reassurance that their sacrifice was valued and that their King recognized their loyalty.
• unto thy servants: This emphasizes the relationship: they are David's loyal subjects who just fought and won his battle and restored his kingdom. The term "servants" highlights David's reciprocal duty and responsibility towards them as their master and king.
• for I swear by the Lord (Hebrew: כִּי־נִשְׁבַּע ה' יָהוֶה, ki nishba Yahweh): Joab backs his warning with a solemn oath to God, indicating the extreme seriousness and absolute certainty of his prediction. It is not an idle threat or mere opinion but a divinely attested truth from Joab's perspective. It highlights the high stakes.
• if thou go not forth: A clear conditional statement. The outcome hinges entirely on David's immediate action. This sets up a cause-and-effect relationship, highlighting David's agency and responsibility.
• there will not tarry one with thee this night (Hebrew: יָלִין אִישׁ, yalin ish): Literally, "not a man will spend the night." This is a hyperbolic but vivid prophecy of complete and utter desertion. Joab suggests that by dawn, David will have no army, no loyal retainers, effectively no kingdom. It paints a picture of total isolation.
• and that will be worse unto thee: This introduces the consequence of the desertion. It's not just "bad" but comparatively "worse."
• than all the evil that befell thee from thy youth until now: This is an incredibly strong comparison. David had endured immense suffering: being hunted by Saul, family strife, Amnon's sin, Absalom's rebellion, exile. Joab's declaration suggests that losing the allegiance and presence of his people—the very foundation of his kingship—would overshadow every past tragedy. It points to the ultimate fear of a king: losing his people's trust and support, which could mean the end of his rule.

• "arise, go forth, and speak comfortably": This triad of imperatives encapsulates Joab's practical, spiritual, and emotional remedy for David's inaction. It requires physical movement, public appearance, and genuine communication of comfort and gratitude.
• "I swear by the Lord... if thou go not forth, there will not tarry one with thee": This forms the core of Joab's warning. It's a divinely sworn, stark prediction of utter abandonment if David remains in his self-indulgent grief, undermining the very bond with his people.
• "worse unto thee than all the evil that befell thee from thy youth until now": This comparative phrase underscores the severity of Joab's warning. It elevates the impending disaster above even David's long and traumatic past, highlighting the catastrophic political and personal implications of alienating his loyal supporters. It implies a crisis of legitimacy and trust, far more devastating than any physical threat.

2 Samuel 19 7 Bonus section

This incident highlights Joab's often unpolished, yet consistent, commitment to the stability of David's throne, even if it meant harsh confrontation with the king. While David and Joab had a complex and often strained relationship marked by tension and even future judgment (1 Kgs 2:5-6), here Joab acts as a vital, though crude, instrument of preservation for David's kingdom. He prioritizes the practical needs of the nation over the king's private grief. The event serves as a sharp reminder that a leader's responsibilities extend beyond personal feelings, requiring emotional intelligence and decisive action for the collective good. It emphasizes the concept that a king's strength lies not merely in his divine anointing, but crucially in the ongoing, reciprocal loyalty of his people, which must be constantly nurtured and affirmed.

2 Samuel 19 7 Commentary

2 Samuel 19:7 is a profound lesson in leadership. King David, renowned for his anointing by God, was at this moment failing his people. His consuming, albeit understandable, personal grief over Absalom eclipsed his duty as king. He mourned a traitorous son more openly than he celebrated the victory secured by the sacrifice of loyal men. Joab, with brutal frankness but acute political wisdom, cuts through David's self-pity. He doesn't minimize David's sorrow but demands he prioritize the kingdom's stability and the morale of his soldiers. The warning of complete desertion is not merely a threat; it's a shrewd assessment of the soldiers' deep demoralization and potential for mutiny if left unacknowledged. The oath by the Lord underscores the gravity, portraying the situation as divinely attested emergency. Joab highlights that the greatest "evil" is not external attack but the internal collapse of trust and loyalty, which would dismantle David's kingdom more thoroughly than any foreign foe. It teaches that even God's chosen leaders must be attuned to the needs of their people, setting aside personal sorrow when the greater good of the community and the divine mandate of their office are at stake. A true leader must serve and validate those who serve them, fostering connection over isolation.