2 Samuel 17:24 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom crossed the Jordan with all the men of Israel.

NIV: David went to Mahanaim, and Absalom crossed the Jordan with all the men of Israel.

NASB: Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom crossed the Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him.

CSB: David had arrived at Mahanaim by the time Absalom crossed the Jordan with all the men of Israel.

NLT: David soon arrived at Mahanaim. By now, Absalom had mobilized the entire army of Israel and was leading his troops across the Jordan River.

KJV: Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom passed over Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him.

NKJV: Then David went to Mahanaim. And Absalom crossed over the Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him.

Absalom's coup has pushed David east. As Absalom marched toward Jerusalem, David hurried his servants out (2 Samuel 15:11–14). As Absalom entered Jerusalem, David climbed the Mount of Olives (2 Samuel 15:37; 16:1). And as Absalom planned his attack, David got his people safely over the Jordan River (2 Samuel 17:1–13, 21–22). David's exiles are on the eastern border of the Trans-Jordan tribes; Absalom and his army have just crossed the Jordan. If Absalom had followed Ahithophel's advice to take a smaller force and only kill David, the war would likely be over already (2 Samuel 17:1–4). Fortunately—for David—Absalom accepted Hushai's alternative and waited to gather a larger army (2 Samuel 17:11–14).

While Absalom's forces set up camp, David's people get the help they need. They're met by the son of the former Ammonite king, the man who faithfully cared for Mephibosheth after Jonathan's death, and a rich Israelite who provides good food and soft beds (2 Samuel 17:27–29). They have time to rest and organize before the inevitable battle.

Absalom has set Amasa over his army (2 Samuel 17:25). Amasa is David's nephew and Absalom, Joab, and Abishai's cousin. David will split his fighting men into three groups under Joab and Abishai, as usual, and Ittai, the leader of the Philistine mercenaries who remained faithful to David (2 Samuel 15:18–22; 18:1–2). David, however, will not attend the battle. His men insist on this: the entire point of this conflict is ensuring that David returns to the throne. David submits to their wishes but tells them not to harm Absalom (2 Samuel 18:3–5). Despite all that has happened, David still suffers from his passivity in the face of his evil sons—the very character flaw that inspired Absalom to rebel against him (2 Samuel 13:20–22).

Second Samuel 17:24–29 records Israel preparing for civil war. Absalom has taken Jerusalem. David's friends sabotaged Absalom's planning so David's people can reach Mahanaim. There, allies greet them with beds and food. Despite the delay, Absalom and his army are encamped on the west side of the Jordan River, ready for war. The battle will last one day. At the end, thousands will be dead, including Absalom (2 Samuel 18:1–15). David will have to heal a nation Absalom spent four years tearing apart (2 Samuel 19).

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.