2 Samuel 17:19 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And the woman took and spread a covering over the well 's mouth and scattered grain on it, and nothing was known of it.

NIV: His wife took a covering and spread it out over the opening of the well and scattered grain over it. No one knew anything about it.

NASB: And the woman took a cover and spread it over the well’s mouth and scattered barley meal on it, so that nothing was known.

CSB: Then his wife took the cover, placed it over the mouth of the well, and scattered grain on it so nobody would know anything.

NLT: The man’s wife put a cloth over the top of the well and scattered grain on it to dry in the sun; so no one suspected they were there.

KJV: And the woman took and spread a covering over the well's mouth, and spread ground corn thereon; and the thing was not known.

NKJV: Then the woman took and spread a covering over the well’s mouth, and spread ground grain on it; and the thing was not known.

When David heard that Absalom had rebelled against him and was marching toward Jerusalem, he had to act quickly. He gathered his servants, rushed them out of town, and made for the Jordan River. Along the way, he enlisted the priests Zadok and Abiathar and his friend Hushai. They were to spy on Absalom and send David intelligence through the priests' sons Jonathan and Ahimaaz (2 Samuel 15:13–14, 24–37).

When David and his people reached the Benjamite town of Bahurim, Shimei, one of Saul's relatives, celebrated David's fall. He cursed David and threw rocks at him and his guard. He claimed David stole the kingdom from Saul and was responsible for Saul's family's death. He called David a "man of blood" (2 Samuel 16:5–8).

Abishai, David's nephew and the leader of his elite fighting force, was so angry he offered to chop Shimei's head off. David stopped him. Everything that had happened with Absalom, from the murder of his brother Amnon to his rebellion to him having sex with David's concubines (2 Samuel 13:28–29; 15:1–12; 16:20–23)—was God's punishment for David's sin against Bathsheba and Uriah (2 Samuel 12:9–11). Just in case God had arranged for Shimei's ridicule, David accepted it as God's judgment (2 Samuel 16:9–14).

David's foresight is reaping rewards. Thanks to Hushai's work, Jonathan and Ahimaaz are on their way to David to tell him to cross the Jordan River as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, the men were seen, and Absalom's guards are searching for them. They've come to Bahurim, Shimei's town, where a woman is hiding them in her well (2 Samuel 17:15–18). When the guards come, she tells them they've gone. The guards leave, and Jonathan and Ahimaaz reach David in time (2 Samuel 17:20–22).

Scripture does not mention it, but David's mercy towards Shimei might have saved his own life. The woman of Bahurim might not have risked so much to save David's spies, if an insulted king had executed her neighbor.

Second Samuel 17:15–20 brings David's plan together. As he fled Absalom's marching followers, David told the priests to stay behind and send word of Absalom's plans. He then told Hushai to infiltrate Absalom's court and counter Ahithophel's counsel (2 Samuel 15:24–37). Hushai has discovered Absalom and Ahithophel's plans and altered them to give David more time (2 Samuel 17:1–14). The priests' sons get word to David, and David gets his people safely over the Jordan River (2 Samuel 17:21–29).

David's cunning plan to thwart Absalom works. David enlisted Hushai's help to counter Ahithophel's advice (2 Samuel 15:31–37). Ahithophel wants to take a small force and move immediately to kill only David while he is still fleeing. Hushai suggests they wait, gather a larger army, and destroy David's men. Absalom agrees with Hushai. Hushai sends warnings through the priests and their sons, and David and his people safely cross the Jordan River. As Absalom reaches the Jordan, local leaders care for the exiles. David's army has time to get organized and prepare for battle (2 Samuel 18:1–15).

God's prior instruments of judgment see justice done to themselves. Absalom and Ahithophel rebelled against David, but now God's curses against David are complete (2 Samuel 12:9–13; 16:13, 20–23). The advisor Ahithophel watches helplessly as David's spy Hushai undermines his authority. Seeing the end, Ahithophel kills himself. Hushai helps David and his people to flee to safety. David has time to organize his fighting forces and send them into battle. In one day, they defeat Absalom's army. Against David's will, they also kill Absalom (2 Samuel 18:1–15). Now, David must do the hard work of reconciling the nation.