“Surely by now he is hiding in a cave or some other location. If some of your troops fall first, whoever hears of it will say, ‘There has been a slaughter among the troops who follow Absalom.’”
2 Samuel 17:9 (BSB)
Context Reading
7Hushai replied, “This time the advice of Ahithophel is not sound.” 8He continued, “You know your father and his men. They are mighty men, and as fierce as a wild bear robbed of her cubs. Moreover, your father is a man of war who will not spend the night with the troops. 9Surely by now he is hiding in a cave or some other location. If some of your troops fall first, whoever hears of it will say, ‘There has been a slaughter among the troops who follow Absalom.’ 10Then even the most valiant soldier with the heart of a lion will melt with fear, because all Israel knows that your father is a mighty man who has valiant men with him. 11Instead, I advise that all Israel from Dan to Beersheba — a multitude like the sand on the seashore — be gathered to you, and that you yourself lead them into battle.