2 Samuel 19:3
New International Version
The men stole into the city that day as men steal in who are ashamed when they flee from battle.

New Living Translation
They crept back into the town that day as though they were ashamed and had deserted in battle.

English Standard Version
And the people stole into the city that day as people steal in who are ashamed when they flee in battle.

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

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

New King James Version
And the people stole back into the city that day, as people who are ashamed steal away when they flee in battle.

New American Standard Bible
And the people entered the city surreptitiously that day, just as people who are humiliated surreptitiously flee in battle.

NASB 1995
So the people went by stealth into the city that day, as people who are humiliated steal away when they flee in battle.

NASB 1977
So the people went by stealth into the city that day, as people who are humiliated steal away when they flee in battle.

Legacy Standard Bible
So the people stole away to enter into the city that day, as people who are dishonored steal away when they flee in battle.

Amplified Bible
The people stole into the city [of Mahanaim] that day, as people who are humiliated and ashamed steal away when they retreat in battle.

Christian Standard Bible
So they returned to the city quietly that day like troops come in when they are humiliated after fleeing in battle.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So they returned to the city quietly that day like people come in when they are humiliated after fleeing in battle.

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

Contemporary English Version
The troops were sneaking into Mahanaim, just as if they had run away from a battle and were ashamed.

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
That day the troops sneaked into the city as if they had fled from battle and were ashamed of it.

Good News Translation
They went back into the city quietly, like soldiers who are ashamed because they are running away from battle.

International Standard Version
So men snuck into the city that day like men do who are ashamed after they've run away from a battle.

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

NET Bible
That day the people stole away to go to the city the way people who are embarrassed steal away in fleeing from battle.

New Heart English Bible
So the people went quietly into the city that day, the way that people who are humiliated creep away when fleeing in battle.

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

World English Bible
The people sneaked into the city that day, as people who are ashamed steal away when they flee in battle.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the people steals away, on that day, to go into the city, as the people steal away, who are ashamed, in their fleeing in battle;

Young's Literal Translation
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;

Smith's Literal Translation
And the people will steal away in that day to go to the city, as people will steal away being ashamed in fleeing in battle.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
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.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the people declined to enter the city on that day, in the manner that the people were accustomed to decline if they had turned and fled from battle.

New American Bible
The soldiers stole into the city that day like men shamed by flight in battle.

New Revised Standard Version
The troops stole into the city that day as soldiers steal in who are ashamed when they flee in battle.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the people concealed themselves as they entered into the city that day, as people who are ashamed steal away when they flee from battle.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the people entering into the city on that day hid themselves as people hide who are ashamed when escaping from battle
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the people got them by stealth that day into the city, as people that are ashamed steal away when they flee in battle.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the people stole away that day to go into the city, as people steal away when they are ashamed as they flee in the battle.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Joab Reproves David
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!”…

Cross References
2 Samuel 18:33
The king was shaken and went up to the chamber over the gate and wept. And as he walked, he cried out, “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!”

2 Samuel 15:30
But David continued up the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went up. His head was covered, and he was walking barefoot. And all the people with him covered their heads and went up, weeping as they went.

1 Kings 1:41-49
Now Adonijah and all his guests were finishing their feast when they heard the sound of the ram’s horn. “Why is the city in such a loud uproar?” asked Joab. / As he was speaking, suddenly Jonathan the son of Abiathar the priest arrived. “Come in,” said Adonijah, “for you are a man of valor. You must be bringing good news.” / “Not at all,” Jonathan replied. “Our lord King David has made Solomon king. ...

1 Kings 19:3-4
And Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, / while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He sat down under a broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my fathers.”

2 Samuel 12:16-17
David pleaded with God for the boy. He fasted and went into his house and spent the night lying in sackcloth on the ground. / The elders of his household stood beside him to help him up from the ground, but he was unwilling and would not eat anything with them.

2 Samuel 13:37-39
Now Absalom fled and went to Talmai son of Ammihud, the king of Geshur. But David mourned for his son every day. / After Absalom had fled and gone to Geshur, he stayed there three years. / And King David longed to go to Absalom, for he had been consoled over Amnon’s death.

2 Samuel 15:13-14
Then a messenger came to David and reported, “The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.” / And David said to all the servants with him in Jerusalem, “Arise and let us flee, or we will not escape from Absalom! We must leave quickly, or he will soon overtake us, heap disaster on us, and put the city to the sword.”

2 Samuel 16:5-14
As King David approached Bahurim, a man from the family of the house of Saul was just coming out. His name was Shimei son of Gera, and as he approached, he kept yelling out curses. / He threw stones at David and at all the servants of the king, though the troops and all the mighty men were on David’s right and left. / And as he yelled curses, Shimei said, “Get out, get out, you worthless man of bloodshed! ...

2 Samuel 17:24-26
Then David went to Mahanaim, and Absalom crossed the Jordan with all the men of Israel. / Absalom had appointed Amasa over the army in place of Joab. Amasa was the son of a man named Ithra, the Ishmaelite who had married Abigail, the daughter of Nahash and sister of Zeruiah the mother of Joab. / So the Israelites and Absalom camped in the land of Gilead.

2 Samuel 18:5-8
Now the king had commanded Joab, Abishai, and Ittai, “Treat the young man Absalom gently for my sake.” And all the people heard the king’s orders to each of the commanders regarding Absalom. / So David’s army marched into the field to engage Israel, and the battle took place in the forest of Ephraim. / There the people of Israel were defeated by David’s servants, and the slaughter was great that day—twenty thousand men. ...

Matthew 26:75
Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.

John 16:20
Truly, truly, I tell you, you will weep and wail while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.

Luke 22:62
And he went outside and wept bitterly.

John 20:11-13
But Mary stood outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent down to look into the tomb, / and she saw two angels in white sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and the other at the feet. / “Woman, why are you weeping?” they asked. “Because they have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I do not know where they have put Him.”

Matthew 5:4
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.


Treasury of Scripture

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

into the city

2 Samuel 19:32
Now Barzillai was a very aged man, even fourscore years old: and he had provided the king of sustenance while he lay at Mahanaim; for he was a very great man.

2 Samuel 17:24
Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom passed over Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him.

steal

Genesis 31:27
Wherefore didst thou flee away secretly, and steal away from me; and didst not tell me, that I might have sent thee away with mirth, and with songs, with tabret, and with harp?

Jump to Previous
Ashamed Battle City Flee Flight Gat Humiliated Quietly Secretly Shamed Steal Stealeth Stealth Stole War Way Withdrew
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Ashamed Battle City Flee Flight Gat Humiliated Quietly Secretly Shamed Steal Stealeth Stealth Stole War Way Withdrew
2 Samuel 19
1. Joab causes the king to cease his mourning
9. The Israelites are earnest to bring the king back
11. David sends to the priest to incite them of Judah
18. Shimei is pardoned
24. Mephibosheth excused
32. Barzillai dismissed, and Chimham his son taken into the king's family
41. The Israelites expostulate with Judah for bringing home the king without them














So they returned to the city quietly that day
This phrase captures the somber and subdued mood of David's troops as they re-enter the city. The Hebrew root for "returned" is "שׁוּב" (shuv), which often implies a turning back or a change in direction. This reflects not just a physical return but a deeper, emotional retreat. The word "quietly" suggests a silence that is laden with shame and introspection. Historically, this moment follows the death of Absalom, David's son, which was a source of deep personal grief for David and a complex political situation for his followers. The "city" here refers to Mahanaim, where David had taken refuge during Absalom's rebellion. The quiet return signifies a moment of reflection and the heavy burden of leadership and loss.

as people steal away in humiliation
The phrase "steal away" is derived from the Hebrew "נָחַב" (nachav), which conveys a sense of sneaking or slipping away unnoticed. This imagery is powerful, evoking the shame and disgrace felt by the troops. The word "humiliation" is key here, as it underscores the emotional state of the people. In the context of ancient Israel, honor and shame were significant cultural values, and to flee a battle was considered deeply dishonorable. This phrase highlights the internal conflict and the societal pressure faced by the warriors who had fought for David but now felt the weight of their actions and the king's grief.

after fleeing a battle
The word "fleeing" comes from the Hebrew "נָס" (nas), which means to escape or run away. This term is often used in the context of battle, where retreat is seen as a last resort and a sign of defeat. The "battle" in question was the conflict between David's forces and those loyal to Absalom. This was not just a military engagement but a civil war, a battle that pitted father against son and divided the nation of Israel. The historical context here is crucial, as it was a time of great turmoil and uncertainty for the kingdom. The act of fleeing, therefore, is not just a physical retreat but also a metaphor for the spiritual and moral challenges faced by the nation and its leaders.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So they
הָעָ֛ם (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

returned
לָב֣וֹא (lā·ḇō·w)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

to the city
הָעִ֑יר (hā·‘îr)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5892: Excitement

quietly
וַיִּתְגַּנֵּ֥ב (way·yiṯ·gan·nêḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1589: To thieve, to deceive

that
הַה֖וּא (ha·hū)
Article | Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

day,
בַּיּ֥וֹם (bay·yō·wm)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day

as
כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר (ka·’ă·šer)
Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

people
הָעָם֙ (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

steal away
יִתְגַּנֵּ֗ב (yiṯ·gan·nêḇ)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1589: To thieve, to deceive

in humiliation
הַנִּכְלָמִ֔ים (han·niḵ·lā·mîm)
Article | Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 3637: To wound, to taunt, insult

after fleeing
בְּנוּסָ֖ם (bə·nū·sām)
Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5127: To flit, vanish away

a battle.
בַּמִּלְחָמָֽה׃ (bam·mil·ḥā·māh)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4421: A battle, war


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OT History: 2 Samuel 19:3 The people got them by stealth that (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
2 Samuel 19:2
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