959 B
from Dan to Beersheba
This phrase meant from the northern border of Israel to the southern border, or, "the whole nation." (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom)
as numerous as the sands that are by the sea
All the grains of sand on a beach are compared to all the people of Israel, meaning the whole nation will follow Absalom. (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole) AT: "a very large number of people"
we will cover him as the dew falls on the ground
Absalom's army is described as covering David's army like the dew covers the ground in the morning. AT: "we will completely defeat David's army." (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-simile)
dew
the fog or misty cloud of water that can fall onto the ground during the night, covering the ground and leaving it wet in the morning
him himself
Both these words refer to David. AT: "David himself" (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rpronouns)