2 Samuel 17:18

_NEVERTHELESS A LAD SAW THEM, AND TOLD ABSALOM: BUT THEY WENT BOTH OF THEM AWAY QUICKLY, AND CAME TO A MAN'S HOUSE IN BAHURIM, WHICH HAD A WELL IN HIS COURT; WHITHER THEY WENT DOWN._ They went ... away quickly, and came to a man's house ... which had a well in his court. The court was that of the house, and the well an empty cistern. All the houses of the better class are furnished with such reservoirs. Nothing could more easily happen than that one of these wells, in consequence of a deficiency of water, should become dry; and it would then answer as a place of retreat, such as David's friends found in the man's house at Bahurim....

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....

BAHURIM - See the marginal reference. They were not all Shimeis in Bahurim....

EXPOSITION 2 SAMUEL 17:1 LET ME NOW CHOOSE OUT TWELVE THOUSAND MEN. The advice of Ahithophel was such as would have made success almost certain. The rebellion had taken David by surprise, and he was quite unprepared to resist the large forces which Absalom had gathered round him. But the better part of the nation disapproved of the enterprise, especially when they perceived that David's life was in danger; and consequently his followers, in course of time, would increase. Moreover, the day had been one of extreme moral and mental trial to David. Upon the sudden news of Absalom's approach, he had to arrange for the flight of his wives and children; to provide supplies for their wants, and for those of their attendants on the march; to give orders to his officers, and take means to prevent their flight degenerating into a panic. Then, wi

NEVERTHELESS, A LAD SAW THEM, AND TOLD ABSALOM,.... Saw them conversing with the girl, and departing for David's army; according to Josephus o, they were some horsemen that saw them about two furlongs or a quarter mile from Jerusalem, and acquainted Absalom with it: BUT THEY WENT BOTH OF THEM AWAY QUICKLY; made all the haste they could with their message to David: AND CAME TO A MAN'S HOUSE IN BAHURIM; where very probably they had been informed David had been, whither he came weary, and had refreshment, 2 Samuel 16:14; or rather, perceiving they were discovered and pursued, they turned in hither, the first place they came to, for safety: WHICH HAD A WELL IN HIS COURT; which they observed, and was the reason of their turning in: WHITHER THEY WENT DOWN; to hide themselves from their pursuers, it being dry, as so

7. ABSALOM, AHITOPHEL, AND HUSHAI CHAPTER 17 _ 1. The counsel of Ahitophel and Hushai (2 Samuel 17:1)_ 2. The counsel made known to David (2 Samuel 17:15) 3. Ahitophel commits suicide (2 Samuel 17:23) 4. Absalom pitched in Gilead (2 Samuel 17:24) 5. The kindness of Shobi, Machir and Barzillai (2 Samuel 17:27) Ahitophel's counsel was aimed at the person of David only. He wanted to have him killed and thus by the death of the one man bring all Israel back. But Ahitophel had not

DAVID COMES TO MAHANAIM (J). 2 Samuel 17:15. Meanwhile David was in constant communication with his agents in Jerusalem through Jonathan and Ahimaaz. But one day, apparently when the news of Ahithophel's advice was being conveyed to David, they were seen and pursued, but escaped by being hidden in a well (_cf._ Joshua 2:6), and got away and brought the news to the king. 2 SAMUEL 17:17. EN-ROGEL: 1 Kings 1:9 *. 2 Samuel 17:20. brook: _michal,_ a word of unknown meaning, occurring only here....

WENT DOWN. Wells mostly dry in summer....

Hushai sends word to David by Jonathan and Ahimaaz 16. _Lodge not this night_ A prudent precaution, for Absalom might change his mind, and follow Ahithophel's counsel after all. _in the plains of the wilderness_ Perhaps we should read _at the fords of the wilderness_. See note on ch. 2 Samuel 15:28....

_David Urged to Cross Over Jordan._ 2 Samuel 17:15-24 15 Then said Hushai unto Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, Thus and thus did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the elders of Israel; and thus and thus have I counseled. 16 Now therefore send quickly and tell David, saying, Lodge not this night in the plains of the wilderness, but speedily pass over; lest the king be swallowed up, and all the people that _are_ with him. 17 Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz stayed by Enrogel; for they might not be seen to come into the city: and a wench went and told them; and they went and told king David. 18 Nevertheless a lad saw them, and told Absalom: but they went both of them away quickly, and came to a man's house in Bahurim, which had a well in his court; whither they went down. 19 And the woman took and spread a covering over the well's mouth, and spread ground corn there