2 Samuel 17:21

_AND WHEN ABSALOM'S SERVANTS CAME TO THE WOMAN TO THE HOUSE, THEY SAID, WHERE IS AHIMAAZ AND JONATHAN? AND THE WOMAN SAID UNTO THEM, THEY BE GONE OVER THE BROOK OF WATER. AND WHEN THEY HAD SOUGHT AND COULD NOT FIND THEM, THEY RETURNED TO JERUSALEM._ No JFB commentary on these verses....

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....

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

AND IT CAME TO PASS AFTER THEY WERE DEPARTED,.... The servants of Absalom: THAT THEY CAME UP OUT OF THE WELL; the sons of the priests, being informed by the woman that they were gone; Josephus s says they were drawn up by the woman with a rope: AND WENT AND TOLD KING DAVID; who was now in the plain of the wilderness, perhaps near Jericho, and not a great way from Jordan, to whom they related the whole of their message: AND SAID UNTO DAVID; as they were directed: ARISE, AND PASS QUICKLY OVER THE WATER; the river Jordan: FOR THUS HATH AHITHOPHEL COUNSELLED AGAINST YOU; to come with twelve thousand men, and fall upon him that very night; and it was not certain his counsel would be rejected; and therefore it was advisable for David to prepare against the worst. s Antiqu. l. 7. c. 9. sect. 7. Hudson. not. in ib....

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....

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

THE FALL OF AHITHOPHEL Absalom follows the advice of Hushai rather than that of Ahithophel, who thereupon hangs himself. David retreats to Mahanaim....

DAVID, THE GREAT KING OF ISRAEL 2 SAMUEL _HELEN POCOCK_ CHAPTER 17 AHITHOPHEL AND HUSHAI ADVISE ABSALOM V1 Then Ahithophel said to Absalom, ‘Let me choose 12 000 men. I will go and chase David tonight. V2 I will attack him when he is tired and weak. I will frighten him. All the people who are with him will run away. I will kill only the king. V3 Then I will bring all his people back to you. When David is dead, everyone will return to you. Everyone will be safe.’ V4 Absalom and all the leaders in *Israel thought that this was good advice. V5 Then Absalom said, ‘Bring Hushai the *Arkite to me. I want to know what he thinks about this.’ V6 When Hushai arrived, Absalom