2 Samuel 18:17 net — They took Absalom, threw him into a large pit in the forest, and stacked a huge pile of stones over him. In the meantim…

NET Bible

"They took Absalom, threw him into a large pit in the forest, and stacked a huge pile of stones over him. In the meantime all the Israelite soldiers fled to their homes."

— 2 Samuel 18:17, NET Bible

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2 Samuel 18:17 in Other Translations

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2 Samuel 18 — Context

14

Joab replied,“I will not wait around like this for you!” He took three spears in his hand and thrust them into the middle of Absalom while he was still alive in the middle of the oak tree.

15

Then ten soldiers who were Joab’s armor bearers struck Absalom and finished him off.

16

Then Joab blew the trumpet and the army turned back from chasing Israel, for Joab had called for the army to halt.

17

They took Absalom, threw him into a large pit in the forest, and stacked a huge pile of stones over him. In the meantime all the Israelite soldiers fled to their homes.

18

Prior to this Absalom had set up a monument and dedicated it to himself in the King’s Valley, reasoning“I have no son who will carry on my name.” He named the monument after himself, and to this day it is known as Absalom’s Memorial.

19

David Learns of Absalom’s Death Then Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said,“Let me run and give the king the good news that the LORD has vindicated him before his enemies.”

20

But Joab said to him,“You will not be a bearer of good news today. You will bear good news some other day, but not today, for the king’s son is dead.”

2 Samuel 18:17 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does 2 Samuel 18:17 say?
2 Samuel 18:17 in the NET Bible reads: “They took Absalom, threw him into a large pit in the forest, and stacked a huge pile of stones over him. In the meantime all the Israelite soldiers fled to their homes.”
Where is 2 Samuel 18:17 in the Bible?
2 Samuel 18:17 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of 2 Samuel, chapter 18, verse 17.
Who wrote 2 Samuel?
2 Samuel is traditionally attributed to Anonymous (traditionally Nathan and Gad). It was written c. 930–722 BC.
What is the book of 2 Samuel about?
2 Samuel records David's reign — his rise to the throne, the conquest of Jerusalem, the eternal covenant God makes with his house, and the moral failure with Bathsheba that fractures his family. From the highs of triumph to the depths of repentance, David remains the messianic prototype.
What are the major themes of 2 Samuel?
2 Samuel explores themes including Davidic Covenant, Sin & Repentance, Kingdom, Mercy, Consequences. These themes shape the meaning and context of 2 Samuel 18:17.
What translation should I read 2 Samuel 18:17 in?
2 Samuel 18:17 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize 2 Samuel 18:17?
2 Samuel 18:17 reads (NET): “They took Absalom, threw him into a large pit in the forest, and stacked a huge pile of stones over him. In the meantime all the Israelite soldiers fled to their homes.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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