The Meaning of 2 Samuel 17:1 Explained

2 Samuel 17:1

KJV: Moreover Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Let me now choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night:

YLT: And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, 'Let me choose, I pray thee, twelve thousand men, and I arise and pursue after David to-night,

Darby: And Ahithophel said to Absalom, Let me, I pray, choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David to-night;

ASV: Moreover Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Let me now choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night:

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Moreover Ahithophel  said  unto Absalom,  Let me now choose out  twelve  thousand  men,  and I will arise  and pursue  after  David  this night: 

What does 2 Samuel 17:1 Mean?

Context Summary

2 Samuel 17:1-14 - Tripped By Flattering Counsel
What a contrast to the plottings of David's foes was his own state of mind, as disclosed in Psalms 3:1-8; Psalms 4:1-8, written at this time! At Jerusalem they were taking counsel against him. Ahithophel describes the deposed king as weary and weak-handed, and shows how easily he may be smitten. Hushai pictures him as chafed and savage. The messengers are hastened on their way, lest he should be swallowed up. But David betakes himself to God.
He knows that God is a Shield unto him, so that there is no need to be afraid of ten thousands of people. He lies down in peace and sleeps, because God makes him to dwell in safety. He knows that God hath set him apart for Himself, and will answer to his call. He said all this, though he knew that these disasters were the result of his sin. But this is the prerogative of all whose iniquity is forgiven and whose sin is covered. Though we continue to blame ourselves, and "go softly" as we remember the past, yet we absolutely accept our Lord's assurances that He will deliver us from the complications caused by our sins, and act as our rearguard against the consequences. [source]

Chapter Summary: 2 Samuel 17

1  Ahithophel's counsel is overthrown by Hushai's
15  Secret intelligence is sent unto David
23  Ahithophel hangs himself
25  Amasa is made captain
27  David at Mahanaim is furnished with provisions

What do the individual words in 2 Samuel 17:1 mean?

Moreover said Ahithophel to Absalom let me choose now two [and] ten thousand men and I will arise and pursue after David tonight
וַיֹּ֥אמֶר אֲחִיתֹ֖פֶל אֶל־ אַבְשָׁלֹ֑ם אֶבְחֲרָ֣ה נָּ֗א שְׁנֵים־ עָשָׂ֥ר אֶ֙לֶף֙ אִ֔ישׁ וְאָק֛וּמָה וְאֶרְדְּפָ֥ה אַחֲרֵי־ דָוִ֖ד הַלָּֽיְלָה

וַיֹּ֥אמֶר  Moreover  said 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: אָמַר 
Sense: to say, speak, utter.
אֲחִיתֹ֖פֶל  Ahithophel 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: אֲחִיתֹפֶל  
Sense: a counsellor of David, grandfather of Bathsheba (cf 2Sa :3,.
אַבְשָׁלֹ֑ם  Absalom 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: אֲבִישָׁלֹום 
Sense: father-in-law of Rehoboam.
אֶבְחֲרָ֣ה  let  me  choose 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect Cohortative, first person common singular
Root: בָּחוּר 
Sense: to choose, elect, decide for.
נָּ֗א  now 
Parse: Interjection
Root: נָא  
Sense: I (we) pray, now, please.
שְׁנֵים־  two 
Parse: Number, md
Root: שְׁנַיִם  
Sense: two.
עָשָׂ֥ר  [and]  ten 
Parse: Number, masculine singular
Root: עָשָׂר 
Sense: ten, -teen (in combination with other numbers).
אֶ֙לֶף֙  thousand 
Parse: Number, masculine singular
Root: אֶלֶף 
Sense: a thousand.
אִ֔ישׁ  men 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: אִישׁ 
Sense: man.
וְאָק֛וּמָה  and  I  will  arise 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative, first person common singular
Root: קוּם 
Sense: to rise, arise, stand, rise up, stand up.
וְאֶרְדְּפָ֥ה  and  pursue 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative, first person common singular
Root: רָדַף  
Sense: to be behind, follow after, pursue, persecute, run after.
אַחֲרֵי־  after 
Parse: Preposition
Root: אַחַר 
Sense: after the following part, behind (of place), hinder, afterwards (of time).
דָוִ֖ד  David 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: דָּוִד  
Sense: youngest son of Jesse and second king of Israel.
הַלָּֽיְלָה  tonight 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: לַיִל 
Sense: night.