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.

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.

10 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.

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Then Hushai said, “You yourself know your father and his men, that they are warriors and they are [a]fierce, (A)like a bear deprived of her cubs in the field. And your father is an [b]expert in warfare, and he will not spend the night with the people. Behold, he has now hidden himself in one of the ravines, or in another place; and it will be that when he falls on them at the first attack, whoever hears it will say, ‘There has been a slaughter among the people who follow Absalom!’ 10 And even the one who is valiant, whose heart is like the heart of a lion, (B)will completely despair; for all Israel knows that your father is a mighty man, and those who are with him are valiant men.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 17:8 Lit bitter of soul
  2. 2 Samuel 17:8 Lit man of war

You know your father and his men; they are fighters, and as fierce as a wild bear robbed of her cubs.(A) Besides, your father is an experienced fighter;(B) he will not spend the night with the troops. Even now, he is hidden in a cave or some other place.(C) If he should attack your troops first,[a] whoever hears about it will say, ‘There has been a slaughter among the troops who follow Absalom.’ 10 Then even the bravest soldier, whose heart is like the heart of a lion,(D) will melt(E) with fear, for all Israel knows that your father is a fighter and that those with him are brave.(F)

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 17:9 Or When some of the men fall at the first attack