2 Samuel 19:3

2 Samuel 19:3 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

So they returned to the city quietly that day, as people steal away in humiliation after fleeing a battle.

King James Version KJV

And the people gat them by stealth that day into the city, as people being ashamed steal away when they flee in battle.

American Standard Version ASV

And the people gat them by stealth that day into the city, as people that are ashamed steal away when they flee in battle.

Bible in Basic English BBE

And the people made their way back to the town quietly and secretly, as those who are shamed go secretly when they go in flight from the war.

Free Bible Version FBV

They stole back into town that day like defeated people steal in, ashamed of running away from the battle.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

And the people went that day into the citie secretly, as people confounded hide them selues when they flee in battell.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

And the people stealeth away, on that day, to go in to the city, as the people steal away, who are ashamed, in their fleeing in battle;

World English Bible WEB

The people sneaked into the city that day, as people who are ashamed steal away when they flee in battle.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And the people withdrew by stealth that day into the city, as people being ashamed steal away when they flee in battle.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And the people shunned the going into the city that day as a people would do that hath turned their backs, and fled away from the battle.

Translation for Translators T4T

The soldiers returned to the city quietly, like [SIM] soldiers do when they are ashamed because they ran away from battle.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — 2 Samuel 19:3

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

2 Samuel 19:3 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וַ/תְּהִ֨י הַ/תְּשֻׁעָ֜ה בַּ/יּ֥וֹם הַ/ה֛וּא לְ/אֵ֖בֶל לְ/כָל הָ/עָ֑ם כִּֽי שָׁמַ֣ע הָ/עָ֗ם בַּ/יּ֤וֹם הַ/הוּא֙ לֵ/אמֹ֔ר נֶעֱצַ֥ב הַ/מֶּ֖לֶךְ עַל בְּנֽ/וֹ

וַ/תְּהִ֨י hâyâh H1961 to be Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs

הַ/תְּשֻׁעָ֜ה tᵉshûwʻâh H8668 deliverance Art | N-fs

בַּ/יּ֥וֹם yôwm H3117 day Prep | N-ms

הַ/ה֛וּא hûwʼ H1931 he/she/it Art | Pron

לְ/אֵ֖בֶל ʼêbel H60 mourning Prep | N-ms

לְ/כָל kôl H3605 all Prep | N-ms

הָ/עָ֑ם ʻam H5971 Amaw Art | N-ms

כִּֽי kîy H3588 for Conj

שָׁמַ֣ע shâmaʻ H8085 to hear V-Qal-Perf-3ms

הָ/עָ֗ם ʻam H5971 Amaw Art | N-ms

בַּ/יּ֤וֹם yôwm H3117 day Prep | N-ms

הַ/הוּא֙ hûwʼ H1931 he/she/it Art | Pron

לֵ/אמֹ֔ר ʼâmar H559 to say Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a

נֶעֱצַ֥ב ʻâtsab H6087 to hurt V-Niphal-Perf-3ms

הַ/מֶּ֖לֶךְ melek H4428 King's Art | N-ms

עַל ʻal H5921 upon Prep

בְּנֽ/וֹ bên H1121 son N-ms | Suff

Hebrew Word Study

Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.

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Hebrew Word Reference — 2 Samuel 19:3

וַ/תְּהִ֨י hâyâh H1961 "to be" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs

The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.

Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone

Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.

הַ/תְּשֻׁעָ֜ה tᵉshûwʻâh H8668 "deliverance" Art | N-fs

In the Bible, this word means salvation or deliverance, often describing God's rescue of his people. It appears in books like Psalms and Isaiah, where God promises to save and deliver his people.

Definition: : salvation 1) salvation, deliverance 1a) deliverance (usually by God through human agency) 1b) salvation (spiritual in sense) Also means: te.shu.ah (תְּשׁוּעָה ": victory" H8668H)

Usage: Occurs in 32 OT verses. KJV: deliverance, help, safety, salvation, victory. See also: Judges 15:18; Psalms 40:17; Psalms 33:17.

בַּ/יּ֥וֹם yôwm H3117 "day" Prep | N-ms

The Hebrew word 'yom' refers to a day, which can be a literal 24-hour period or a figurative space of time. It is used in the Bible to describe a wide range of time periods, from a single day to a year or a lifetime. The word 'yom' is used in many different contexts throughout the Bible.

Definition: : day/when/time/period 1) day, time, year 1a) day (as opposed to night) 1b) day (24 hour period) 1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1 1b2) as a division of time 1b2a) a working day, a day's journey 1c) days, lifetime (pl.) 1d) time, period (general) 1e) year 1f) temporal references 1f1) today 1f2) yesterday 1f3) tomorrow

Usage: Occurs in 1930 OT verses. KJV: age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger. See also: Genesis 1:5; Genesis 33:13; Exodus 23:15.

הַ/ה֛וּא hûwʼ H1931 "he/she/it" Art | Pron

This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.

Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)

Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.

לְ/אֵ֖בֶל ʼêbel H60 "mourning" Prep | N-ms

Mourning refers to the act of grieving or lamenting, often for someone who has died, like the mourning of the Israelites after the death of Moses in Deuteronomy 34.

Definition: 1) mourning 1a) for the dead 1b) for rites of mourning (metaph) 1c) mourning garb 1d) period of mourning

Usage: Occurs in 22 OT verses. KJV: mourning. See also: Genesis 27:41; Ecclesiastes 7:4; Isaiah 60:20.

לְ/כָל kôl H3605 "all" Prep | N-ms

The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.

Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)

Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.

הָ/עָ֑ם ʻam H5971 "Amaw" Art | N-ms

A people or nation is what this Hebrew word represents, like the nation of Israel in Exodus 33:13. It can also mean a tribe, troops, or attendants, and is used to describe a group of people gathered together. The word is often used to refer to the people of God.

Definition: This name means nation, people

Usage: Occurs in 1655 OT verses. KJV: folk, men, nation, people. See also: Genesis 11:6; Exodus 16:4; Leviticus 17:9.

כִּֽי kîy H3588 "for" Conj

A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.

Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore

Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.

שָׁמַ֣ע shâmaʻ H8085 "to hear" V-Qal-Perf-3ms

To hear and listen is what this Hebrew word means, often implying attention and obedience. In Exodus and Deuteronomy, it is used when God speaks to the people, and they must listen and obey.

Definition: : hear v 1) to hear, listen to, obey 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to hear (perceive by ear) 1a2) to hear of or concerning 1a3) to hear (have power to hear) 1a4) to hear with attention or interest, listen to 1a5) to understand (language) 1a6) to hear (of judicial cases) 1a7) to listen, give heed 1a7a) to consent, agree 1a7b) to grant request 1a8) to listen to, yield to 1a9) to obey, be obedient 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be heard (of voice or sound) 1b2) to be heard of 1b3) to be regarded, be obeyed 1c) (Piel) to cause to hear, call to hear, summon 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to hear, tell, proclaim, utter a sound 1d2) to sound aloud (musical term) 1d3) to make proclamation, summon 1d4) to cause to be heard n m 2) sound

Usage: Occurs in 1072 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, [idiom] surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness. See also: Genesis 3:8; Exodus 32:18; Deuteronomy 27:9.

הָ/עָ֗ם ʻam H5971 "Amaw" Art | N-ms

Definition: This name means nation, people

Usage: Occurs in 1655 OT verses. KJV: folk, men, nation, people. See also: Genesis 11:6; Exodus 16:4; Leviticus 17:9.

בַּ/יּ֤וֹם yôwm H3117 "day" Prep | N-ms

הַ/הוּא֙ hûwʼ H1931 "he/she/it" Art | Pron

This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.

לֵ/אמֹ֔ר ʼâmar H559 "to say" Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a

This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.

Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)

Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.

נֶעֱצַ֥ב ʻâtsab H6087 "to hurt" V-Niphal-Perf-3ms

To shape or carve something, like a craftsman forming wood or stone, can also mean to worry or cause pain, as in the emotional distress of King David in Psalm 38:18.

Definition: 1) to hurt, pain, grieve, displease, vex, wrest 1a) (Qal) to hurt, pain 1b)(Niphal) to be in pain, be pained, be grieved 1c) (Piel) to vex, torture 1d) (Hiphil) to cause pain 1e) (Hithpael) to feel grieved, be vexed Aramaic equivalent: a.tsav (עֲצַב "to pain" H6088)

Usage: Occurs in 17 OT verses. KJV: displease, grieve, hurt, make, be sorry, vex, worship, wrest. See also: Genesis 6:6; Nehemiah 8:10; Psalms 56:6.

הַ/מֶּ֖לֶךְ melek H4428 "King's" Art | N-ms

This word refers to a king or royal person, like King David or King Saul. It can also describe something related to a king, like the King's Valley in Genesis. The Bible often uses this word to talk about the rulers of Israel.

Definition: King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)

Usage: Occurs in 1919 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Genesis 14:1; Joshua 10:39; 1 Samuel 16:1.

עַל ʻal H5921 "upon" Prep

This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.

Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)

Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.

בְּנֽ/וֹ bên H1121 "son" N-ms | Suff

In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.

Definition: : child/son

Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.

Study Notes — 2 Samuel 19:3

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
2 Samuel 19:3 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on 2 Samuel 19:3
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Samuel 19:3
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Samuel 19:3
Trapp's Commentary on 2 Samuel 19:3
Cambridge Bible on 2 Samuel 19:3
Whedon's Commentary on 2 Samuel 19:3

Context — Joab Reproves David

1Then it was reported to Joab, “The king is weeping and mourning over Absalom.” 2And that day’s victory was turned into mourning for all the people, because on that day they were told, “The king is grieving over his son.”

3So they returned to the city quietly that day, as people steal away in humiliation after fleeing a battle.

4But the king covered his face and cried out at the top of his voice, “O my son Absalom! O Absalom, my son, my son!” 5Then Joab went into the house and said to the king, “Today you have disgraced all your servants who have saved your life and the lives of your sons and daughters, of your wives, and of your concubines.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Genesis 31:27	Why did you run away secretly and deceive me, without even telling me? I would have sent you away with joy and singing, with tambourines and harps.
2	2 Samuel 19:32	Barzillai was quite old, eighty years of age, and since he was a very wealthy man, he had provided for the king while he stayed in Mahanaim.
3	2 Samuel 17:24	Then David went to Mahanaim, and Absalom crossed the Jordan with all the men of Israel.

2 Samuel 19:3 Summary

[The people in 2 Samuel 19:3 returned to the city quietly because they were sad and ashamed, knowing that the king was grieving over his son's death, similar to how we might feel when we lose someone we love, as described in Psalms 34:18, where it is written that God is near to the brokenhearted. This verse teaches us about the importance of being humble and acknowledging our mistakes, as seen in the people's quiet return to the city, and the value of expressing our emotions, as seen in the king's grief, as described in 2 Corinthians 7:10, where godly sorrow is said to lead to repentance.]

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the people return to the city quietly in 2 Samuel 19:3?

The people returned to the city quietly because they were humiliated and mourning, knowing that the king was grieving over the death of his son Absalom, as seen in the context of 2 Samuel 19:1-2, where it is reported that the king is weeping and mourning over Absalom.

How does this verse relate to the concept of humility in the Bible?

This verse illustrates the concept of humility, as the people return to the city quietly, ashamed and humbled, similar to the humility described in Proverbs 22:4, where it is written that humility comes before honor.

What can we learn from the king's emotional response in this passage?

The king's emotional response in 2 Samuel 19:3-4 teaches us about the importance of acknowledging and expressing our emotions, as seen in Psalms 51:17, where a broken and contrite heart is described as pleasing to God.

How does this verse fit into the larger narrative of 2 Samuel?

This verse is part of the story of King David's reign, specifically the aftermath of Absalom's rebellion, and highlights the complexities of David's relationships with his sons, as seen in 2 Samuel 18:1-19:8, where the events leading up to and following Absalom's death are described.

Reflection Questions

What are some ways that I can quietly reflect on my own actions and decisions, like the people in this verse, and consider how they may be affecting those around me?
How can I balance my own emotional responses with the needs and feelings of others, as seen in the king's grief over Absalom's death?
In what ways can I apply the concept of humility, as seen in this verse, to my own life and relationships, and what would be the benefits of doing so?
What can I learn from the king's example about the importance of acknowledging and expressing my emotions, and how can I apply this to my own life?

Gill's Exposition on 2 Samuel 19:3

And the people got them by stealth that day into the city,.... Did not march into it in companies, in a public and triumphant manner, as conquerors used to do; but entered in a private manner, one by

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Samuel 19:3

And the people gat them by stealth that day into the city, as people being ashamed steal away when they flee in battle. The people gat them by stealth ... into the city.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Samuel 19:3

Not openly, and orderly, and triumphantly, as conquerors use to do; but secretly, and disorderly, and asunder, as if they were afraid and ashamed, lest David should see them, and look upon them with an evil eye, as those that had a hand in the killing of his dearly beloved son.

Trapp's Commentary on 2 Samuel 19:3

2 Samuel 19:3 And the people gat them by stealth that day into the city, as people being ashamed steal away when they flee in battle.Ver. 3. And the people gat them by stealth.] As if they had fled in the battle, and were ashamed of their cowardice; or like a dog that claps his tail between his legs, and getteth away as he can.

Cambridge Bible on 2 Samuel 19:3

3. gat them by stealth, &c.] Out of respect for the king’s sorrow the army stole into the city silently in small parties, like disgraced fugitives, instead of entering in military order with shouts of triumph for the victory. that day] Clearly the day of the battle, which must therefore have been fought in the neighbourhood of Mahanaim. See notes on ch. 2 Samuel 18:6. as people, &c.] Better, as the people steal in who have disgraced themselves by fleeing in the battle.

Whedon's Commentary on 2 Samuel 19:3

3. Gat them by stealth… into the city — They entered not by the gate where David sat mourning, but, like thieves, climbed in some other way.

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