2 Samuel 16:14
ESV
And the king, and all the people who were with him, arrived weary at the Jordan. And there he refreshed himself.
NIV
The king and all the people with him arrived at their destination exhausted. And there he refreshed himself.
NASB
And the king and all the people who were with him arrived exhausted, and he refreshed himself there.
CSB
Finally, the king and all the people with him arrived exhausted, so they rested there.
NLT
The king and all who were with him grew weary along the way, so they rested when they reached the Jordan River.
KJV
And the king, and all the people that were with him, came weary, and refreshed themselves there.
NKJV
Now the king and all the people who were with him became weary; so they refreshed themselves there.
What does 2 Samuel 16:14 mean?
It's been a long, painful day for David. It began with news that Absalom was marching toward Jerusalem with men he'd turned against his father. David scrambled, gathering his household to flee, rather than risking a battle in the city. He takes two units of Philistine bodyguards, one Philistine mercenary troop, and his mighty men. He leaves behind two priests and an old friend to spy on his son. Along the way, he receives provisions from Saul's former servant and curses from Saul's relative. Now, he and his people have finally reached the ford at the Jordan River. Here they wait for news: should they cross? Or will Absalom let them rest?David writes:
I lay down and slept;Absalom enters Jerusalem and begins his administration. He's enticed David's advisor Ahithophel to his side. Ahithophel convinces Absalom to sleep with the concubines David left as a sign of domination (2 Samuel 16:20–23). But David's friend Hushai has infiltrated Absalom's council (2 Samuel 16:15–19). When Ahithophel offers to take 12,000 men and hunt David, Hushai has other advice. He reminds Absalom that David has been fighting wars since he was a boy. David may be caught off guard, but he'll quickly recover. Hushai suggests that the soldiers will melt in fear. Instead, Hushai recommends Absalom call his supporters across the tribes for a larger, consolidated attack. Absalom agrees (2 Samuel 17:1–16).
I woke again, for the Lord sustained me.
--Psalm 3:5
Hushai goes to the priests Zadok and Abiathar with a message to David: cross the river. Get to safety. The priests send a girl to a town outside the city to tell their sons, Ahimaaz and Jonathan. The men get the word, but a boy sees them and races to Jerusalem to tell Absalom. Absalom sends soldiers to find the priests' sons. They hide in a well with the help of another woman. Eventually, the men reach David, and the people cross to safety (2 Samuel 16:15–22).
