2 Samuel 17:8 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Hushai warns that David and his veterans are fierce as a bereaved bear and too battle-wise to be caught among the camp.
What Does 2 Samuel 17:8 Mean?
Hushai begins his counter-argument by painting David and his men as seasoned warriors, enraged and dangerous, 'as a bear robbed of her whelps.' David, he insists, is too cunning to be found sleeping among the troops where Ahithophel hoped to strike.
The image is vivid and true: a desperate, skilled fighter is most dangerous of all. Hushai uses real knowledge of David to make his caution persuasive. Yet his whole speech serves a deeper aim, to buy David time to cross the Jordan. God often weaves genuine truths into the means by which He saves.
2 Samuel 17:8 in the Original Language
shakkul (שַׁכּוּל), 'robbed of whelps' -- bereaved of young, an image of fierce and reckless rage.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Samuel 17:8
What does 2 Samuel 17:8 mean?
Hushai warns that David and his veterans are fierce as a bereaved bear and too battle-wise to be caught among the camp.