2 Samuel 17:11 Meaning and Explanation
“Therefore I counsel that all Israel be generally gathered unto thee, from Dan even to Beersheba, as the sand that is by the sea for multitude; and that thou go to battle in thine own person.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Hushai advises gathering all Israel, vast as sand on the shore, with Absalom himself leading them into battle.
What Does 2 Samuel 17:11 Mean?
Now Hushai offers his alternative: not a swift strike, but a grand muster of all Israel 'from Dan even to Beersheba,' as numberless as the sand of the sea, with Absalom personally at their head. It sounds bold and flattering, and it delays everything.
The promise of overwhelming numbers appeals to Absalom's pride and his desire for glory. But the very grandeur of the plan is its trap, for it gives David the days he needs. The image of sand by the sea once spoke of God's blessing on Abraham's seed; here it is borrowed only to bait a vain heart toward its own undoing.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Samuel 17:11
What does 2 Samuel 17:11 mean?
Hushai advises gathering all Israel, vast as sand on the shore, with Absalom himself leading them into battle.