3 And I will bring back all the people unto thee: the man whom thou seekest is as if all returned: so all the people shall be in peace.
3 and bring all the people back to you. The death of the man you seek will mean the return of all; all the people will be unharmed."
3 and I will bring all the people back to you as a bride comes home to her husband. You seek the life of only one man,
3 Then I'll bring the army back to you - a bride brought back to her husband! You're only after one man, after all. Then everyone will be together in peace!"
3 Then I will bring back all the people to you. When all return except the man whom you seek, all the people will be at peace."
3 and I will bring all the people back to you as a bride returns to her husband. After all, it is only one man's life that you seek. Then you will be at peace with all the people."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Samuel 17:3
Commentary on 2 Samuel 17:1-21
(Read 2 Samuel 17:1-21)
Here was a wonderful effect of Divine Providence blinding Absalom's mind and influencing his heart, that he could not rest in Ahithophel's counsel, and that he should desire Hushai's advice. But there is no contending with that God who can arm a man against himself, and destroy him by his own mistakes and passions. Ahithophel's former counsel was followed, for God intended to correct David; but his latter counsel was 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.