SEV Biblia, Chapter 17:13
Y si se recogiere en alguna ciudad, todos los de Israel traerán sogas a aquella ciudad, y la arrastraremos hasta el arroyo, que nunca más parezca piedra de ella.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 17:13
Verse 13. Shall all Israel bring ropes to that city] The original word µylbj chabalim, which signifies ropes, and from which we have our word cable, may have some peculiarity of meaning here; for it is not likely that any city could be pulled down with ropes. The Chaldee, which should be best judge in this case, translates the original word by yrŤm mashreyan, towers: this gives an easy sense.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 13. Moreover, if he be gotten into a city , etc.] A strong fortified place, thinking to secure himself there, where he might hold out against those that were risen against him; the former part of the account supposes him in the field, where he would soon be detected, if hidden in a pit or any other place, or if he appeared openly would quickly be overthrown by the numerous forces of Absalom; and here it suggests, should he betake himself to a city for shelter, then shall all Israel bring ropes to that city ; scaling ropes, and thereby get upon and over the walls of it, and take it by storm; or engines worked with ropes, used for the demolishing of cities; so Tacitus speaks of “vincula tormentorum”, the bands or ropes of engines, as Grotius observes; the Targum renders it by “armies”, thus, “all Israel shall be gathered against the city, and surround it with armies,” besiege it in form, and so surround it that David could not possibly make his escape out of it, nor could it hold out long against such numerous forces; or this is an hyperbolical expression, as Kimchi calls it, signifying that their numbers would be so many, that they could soon and easily demolish it: and we will draw it into the river ; by the side of which it was built, or the ditch or trench around it, or the valley near it, that being built on an hill; and by this boasting, bragging, hyperbolical expression, he signifies that they should be able easily and utterly to destroy its walls, buildings, and towers, as if a number of men were to fasten a rope about anything, and by their main strength, and through their numbers, draw it down whither they pleased: until there be not one small stone found there ; and this being the case, David and his men must inevitably fall into their hands, and none escape.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-21 - Here was a wonderful effect of Divine Providence blinding Absalom' mind and influencing his heart, that he could not rest in Ahithophel' counsel, and that he should desire Hushai's advice. But there is n contending with that God who can arm a man against himself, and destro him by his own mistakes and passions. Ahithophel's former counsel wa followed, for God intended to correct David; but his latter counsel wa not followed, for God meant not to destroy him. He can overrule all counsels. Whatever wisdom or help any man employs or affords, the success is from God alone, who will not let his people perish.
Original Hebrew
ואם 518 אל 413 עיר 5892 יאסף 622 והשׂיאו 5375 כל 3605 ישׂראל 3478 אל 413 העיר 5892 ההיא 1931 חבלים 2256 וסחבנו 5498 אתו 853 עד 5704 הנחל 5158 עד 5704 אשׁר 834 לא 3808 נמצא 4672 שׁם 8033 גם 1571 צרור׃ 6872
