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he has probably already hidden in some pit or cave. And when he comes out and attacks and a few of your men fall, there will be panic among your troops and everyone will start shouting that your men are being slaughtered. 10 Then even the bravest of them, though they have hearts of lions, will be paralyzed with fear; for all Israel knows what a mighty man your father is and how courageous his soldiers are.

11 “What I suggest is that you mobilize the entire army of Israel, bringing them from as far away as Dan and Beersheba, so that you will have a huge force. And I think that you should personally lead the troops.

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Even now, he is hidden in a cave or some other place.(A) If he should attack your troops first,[a] whoever hears about it will say, ‘There has been a slaughter among the troops who follow Absalom.’ 10 Then even the bravest soldier, whose heart is like the heart of a lion,(B) will melt(C) with fear, for all Israel knows that your father is a fighter and that those with him are brave.(D)

11 “So I advise you: Let all Israel, from Dan to Beersheba(E)—as numerous as the sand(F) on the seashore—be gathered to you, with you yourself leading them into battle.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 17:9 Or When some of the men fall at the first attack