2 Samuel 17:15-29
The Warning Reaches David
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15So Hushai told Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, “This is what Ahithophel has advised Absalom and the elders of Israel, and this is what I have advised.
16Now send quickly and tell David, ‘Do not spend the night at the fords of the wilderness, but be sure to cross over. Otherwise the king and all the people with him will be swallowed up.’”
17Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz were staying at En-rogel, where a servant girl would come and pass along information to them. They in turn would go and inform King David, for they dared not be seen entering the city.
18But a young man did see them and told Absalom. So the two left quickly and came to the house of a man in Bahurim. He had a well in his courtyard, and they climbed down into it.
19Then the man’s wife took a covering, spread it over the mouth of the well, and scattered grain over it so nobody would know a thing.
20When Absalom’s servants came to the woman at the house, they asked, “Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?” “They have crossed over the brook,” she replied. The men searched but did not find them, so they returned to Jerusalem.
21After the men had gone, Ahimaaz and Jonathan climbed up out of the well and went to inform King David, saying, “Get up and cross over the river at once, for Ahithophel has given this advice against you.”
22So David and all the people with him got up and crossed the Jordan. By daybreak, there was no one left who had not crossed the Jordan.
23When Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and set out for his house in his hometown. He put his affairs in order and hanged himself. So he died and was buried in his father’s tomb.
24Then David went to Mahanaim, and Absalom crossed the Jordan with all the men of Israel.
25Absalom 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.
26So the Israelites and Absalom camped in the land of Gilead.
27When David came to Mahanaim, he was met by Shobi son of Nahash from Rabbah of the Ammonites, Machir son of Ammiel from Lo-debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim.
28They brought beds, basins, and earthen vessels, as well as wheat, barley, flour, roasted grain, beans, lentils,
29honey, curds, sheep, and cheese from the herd for David and his people to eat. For they said, “The people have become hungry, exhausted, and thirsty in the wilderness.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Hushai reports both plans to Zadok and Abiathar and urges them to warn David: he must cross the Jordan instead of spending the night at the wilderness fords. Hushai’s counsel has been accepted, but David and everyone with him still need to move out of danger.
A servant girl carries information to Jonathan and Ahimaaz at En-rogel. When a young man sees them and tells Absalom, they escape to a house at Bahurim and hide in its courtyard well. The woman of the house covers the opening, scatters grain over it, and directs the searchers elsewhere. The messengers then reach David. By daybreak, his whole company has crossed the Jordan.
Ahithophel sees that his advice has not been followed, goes home, puts his affairs in order, and takes his own life. The narrative places his death after the rejected counsel but does not tell us all he thought or feared. We should speak carefully about a death when the account gives us so little of the person’s inner life.
David reaches Mahanaim, while Absalom’s forces cross the river and camp in Gilead under Amasa. Shobi, Machir, and Barzillai bring David’s company beds, vessels, and abundant food. They explain their care plainly: the people are hungry, exhausted, and thirsty.
The LORD’s protection described in the preceding scene reaches David through warnings he must heed and people willing to help. The messengers’ escape and the provisions at Mahanaim show how much depends on people beyond the king. Timely information and a meal can both be acts of faithful care.
Questions
1 What warning does Hushai send to David?
AnswerHe tells him not to remain at the wilderness fords that night but to cross over, so that the king and his people will not be overwhelmed. The warning requires prompt action even after Hushai’s counsel is accepted.
2 Who helps the messengers carry the warning safely?
AnswerA servant girl brings information to them outside Jerusalem. After they are seen, a woman at Bahurim conceals them in a well and sends the searchers elsewhere. They emerge afterward and reach David.
3 How do Shobi, Machir, and Barzillai respond to the company’s needs?
AnswerThey bring beds, vessels, grain, beans, lentils, honey, dairy foods, and sheep. Their reason is that the people have become hungry, exhausted, and thirsty in the wilderness. Their help meets specific needs.
4 What kind of help could we offer someone who has reached the limit of their strength?
AnswerAsk what would be useful, then offer something definite: a meal, a place to rest, transport, or help passing on important information. Practical care can relieve a burden that encouraging words alone cannot carry.
What This Means for Us
David’s escape depends on people who are not directing the armies. A girl carries a message, a woman conceals the messengers, and three men supply exhausted travelers. None of these acts needs a public audience to matter.
The warning also needs a response: David gets up and crosses the river. Receiving help includes listening when trustworthy people identify a danger we need to act on.
Notice someone whose immediate need is being overshadowed by a larger crisis. Offer the kind of practical help you can follow through on, and leave room to receive such help yourself.
Prayer
LORD, thank you for people who bring warnings, shelter, food, and rest when they are needed. Make us willing to listen and ready to help. Remember those facing despair, and give our household patient care for people whose burdens we do not fully know. Amen.