2 Samuel 17:8 — Meaning and Application

And when Hushai was come to Absalom, Absalom spake unto him, saying, Ahithophel hath spoken after this manner: shall we do {after} his saying? if not; speak thou. {his saying: Heb. his word}

And Hushai said unto Absalom, The counsel that Ahithophel hath given {is} not good at this time. {given: Heb. counselled}

For, said Hushai, thou knowest thy father and his men, that they {be} mighty men, and they {be} chafed in their minds, as a bear robbed of her whelps in the field: and thy father {is} a man of war, and will not lodge with the people. {chafed...: Heb. bitter of soul}

Behold, he is hid now in some pit, or in some {other} place: and it will come to pass, when some of them be overthrown at the first, that whosoever heareth it will say, There is a slaughter among the people that follow Absalom. {overthrown: Heb. fallen}

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.