2 Samuel 17:10
“Even he who is valiant, whose heart is as the heart of a lion, will utterly melt; for all Israel knows that your father is a mighty man, and those who are with him are valiant men.”
What does 2 Samuel 17:10 mean?
This is Hushai speaking to Absalom, warning him not to rush into battle against David. Hushai is saying that even the bravest soldier—someone with a lion's courage—would lose all confidence and "melt" with fear when facing David's forces, because everyone knows David's reputation and the quality of his fighters. It's a reminder that reputation and strength matter in conflict, and that people make decisions based partly on what they believe about their opponent's power. Hushai is essentially saying that Absalom should be cautious because David isn't just another leader—he's formidable, and his supporters know it. Sometimes what people believe about your strength is as important as the actual strength itself.