Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible

Hushai, like a wise and prudent man, knowing, too, Absalom‘s weak and fickle character, would not depend upon the resolution, taken at his instigation, not to pursue the king, but took instant measures to advertise David of his danger.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

Now therefore send quickly and tell David,.... What has been advised to on both sides:

saying, lodge not this night in the plains of the wilderness; which reached to Jericho; this advice he gave, because he knew not whether his counsel would be abode by, though preferred; Absalom and the elders of Israel might change their minds, and Ahithophel might, by the strength of his oratory, prevail upon them after all to follow his advice; and therefore, to guard against the worst, he judged it most prudential in David to make all the haste he could from that place where he was, and not continue a night longer in it; for, if Ahithophel's counsel should take place, he would be in pursuit of him that very night:

but speedily pass over; the river Jordan:

lest the king be swallowed up, and all the people that are with him: be destroyed by the forces Ahithophel should bring with him, which he would not be able to withstand.

Geneva Study Bible

(f) That is, over Jordan.

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

send quickly, and tell David — Apparently doubting that his advice would be followed, Hushai ordered secret intelligence to be conveyed to David of all that transpired, with an urgent recommendation to cross the Jordan without a moment‘s delay, lest Ahithophel‘s address and influence might produce a change on the prince‘s mind, and an immediate pursuit be determined on.

Wesley's Explanatory Notes

Now therefore send quickly, and tell David, saying, Lodge not this night in the plains of the wilderness, but speedily pass over; lest the king be swallowed up, and all the people that are with him.

Lodge not — Lest the king's and people's mind's change, and Ahithophel persuade the king to pursue you speedily.

John Trapp Complete Commentary

2 Samuel 17:16 Now therefore send quickly, and tell David, saying, Lodge not this night in the plains of the wilderness, but speedily pass over; lest the king be swallowed up, and all the people that [are] with him.

Ver. 16. Lest the king be swallowed up.] For Hushai observing Absalom’s and his followers fickleness, knew not but that they might yet follow Ahithophel’s counsel, when seconded and set on by him with new and better arguments. He would have David therefore get speedily out of their reach over Jordan.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

Lodge not this night in the plains of the wilderness, lest the king’s and people’s minds change, and Ahithophel, by his deep wit and great interest, persuade the king to follow his former advice, and to pursue you speedily.

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

Over the Jordan, that it might be some sort of barrier, in case Absalom changed his mind, to follow the advice of Achitophel.

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Unabridged

Now therefore send quickly, and tell David, saying, Lodge not this night in the plains of the wilderness, but speedily pass over; lest the king be swallowed up, and all the people that are with him.

Send quickly, and tell David. Apparently doubting that his advice would be followed, Hushai ordered secret intelligence to be conveyed to David of all that transpired, with an urgent recommendation to cross the Jordan without a moment's delay, lest Ahithophel's address and influence might produce a change on the prince's mind, and an immediate pursuit be determined on.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(16) Lodge not this night.—Hushai’s advice had been taken at the moment, but it might easily be exchanged for Ahithophel’s. At all events there was instant danger for David, and Hushai urges him to place the Jordan without delay between himself and the rebels.

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Lodge

15:28

but speedily

21,22; 15:14,28; 1 Samuel 20:38; Psalms 55:8; Proverbs 6:4,5; Matthew 24:16-18

be swallowed

20:19,20; Psalms 35:25; 56:2; 57:3; 1 Corinthians 15:54; 2 Corinthians 5:4