Bible Strands
2 Samuel 17:11
Instead, 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.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The speaker delivers tactical advice to the rebel commander, urging a full mobilization of Israel to pursue David after noting his troops' fearsome reputation.
The words — The Hebrew יָעַ֗צְתִּי (ya.'Atz.ti) literally means "I counsel," while יֵאָסֵ֨ף (ye.'a.Sef) carries the imperative sense "let it be gathered." These terms frame the proposal as a strategic directive rather than a mere suggestion.
The thread — The phrase "sand on the seashore" echoes the covenant promise in Genesis 22:17 and the military scale described in Joshua 11:4. The geographic marker "from Dan to Beersheba" mirrors the national assembly recorded in Judges 20:1.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that spiritual or political outcomes hinge on whether leaders heed or reject concrete strategic counsel. It requires the reader to assess the weight of mobilization and the consequences of ignoring unified action.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Therefore I counsel that all Israel be generally gathered unto thee, from Dan even to Beer–sheba, as the sand that is by the sea for multitude; and that thou go to battle in thine own person.
Cross-references
- Genesis 22:17 I will surely bless you, and I will multiply your descendants like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will possess the gates of their enemies.
- Joshua 11:4 So these kings came out with all their armies, a multitude as numerous as the sand on the seashore, along with a great number of horses and chariots.
- Judges 20:1 Then all the Israelites from Dan to Beersheba and from the land of Gilead came out, and the congregation assembled as one man before the LORD at Mizpah.
- Psalms 9:16 The LORD is known by the justice He brings; the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands. Higgaion Selah
- Genesis 13:16 I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if one could count the dust of the earth, then your offspring could be counted.
- 2 Samuel 12:28 Now, therefore, assemble the rest of the troops, lay siege to the city, and capture it. Otherwise I will capture the city, and it will be named after me.”
- 2 Samuel 24:2 So the king said to Joab the commander of his army, who was with him, “Go now throughout the tribes of Israel from Dan to Beersheba and register the troops, so that I may know their number.”
- 1 Kings 4:20 The people of Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand on the seashore, and they were eating and drinking and rejoicing.
- 1 Kings 20:10 Then Ben-hadad sent another message to Ahab: “May the gods deal with me, and ever so severely, if enough dust remains of Samaria for each of my men to have a handful.”
- Psalms 7:15 He has dug a hole and hollowed it out; he has fallen into a pit of his own making.