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The men searched but did not find them, so they returned to Jerusalem.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/2_samuel/17-20.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/11/10_2Sa_17_20.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="2 Samuel 17:20 - Hushai's Warning Saves David" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="When Absalom's servants came to the woman at the house, they asked, Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan? They have crossed over the brook, she replied. 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The men searched but did not find them, so they returned to Jerusalem. <a href="/kjv/2_samuel/17.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/2_samuel/17.htm">New King James Version</a> And when Absalom’s servants came to the woman at the house, they said, “Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?” So the woman said to them, “They have gone over the water brook.” And when they had searched and could not find them, they returned to Jerusalem. <a href="/nasb_/2_samuel/17.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Then Absalom’s servants came to the woman at the house and said, “Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?” And the woman said to them, “They have crossed the brook of water.” And when they searched and did not find them, they returned to Jerusalem. <a href="/nasb/2_samuel/17.htm">NASB 1995</a> Then Absalom&#8217s servants came to the woman at the house and said, &#8220Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?&#8221 And the woman said to them, &#8220They have crossed the brook of water.&#8221 And when they searched and could not find them, they returned to Jerusalem. <a href="/nasb77/2_samuel/17.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Then Absalom’s servants came to the woman at the house and said, “Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?” And the woman said to them, “They have crossed the brook of water.” And when they searched and could not find them, they returned to Jerusalem. <a href="/lsb/2_samuel/17.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Then Absalom’s servants came to the woman at the house and said, “Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?” And the woman said to them, “They have crossed the brook of water.” And when they searched and could not find them, they returned to Jerusalem. <a href="/amp/2_samuel/17.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Then Absalom’s servants came to the woman at the house and asked, “Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?” And the woman said to them, “They have crossed over the brook.” When they searched and could not find them, they returned to Jerusalem. <a href="/csb/2_samuel/17.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Absalom’s servants came to the woman at the house and asked, “Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan? ” “They passed by toward the water,” the woman replied to them. The men searched but did not find them, so they returned to Jerusalem. <a href="/hcsb/2_samuel/17.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Absalom&#8217s servants came to the woman at the house and asked, &#8220Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?"&#8221 They passed by toward the water,&#8221 the woman replied to them. The men searched but did not find them, so they returned to Jerusalem. <a href="/asv/2_samuel/17.htm">American Standard Version</a> And Absalom's servants came to the woman to the house; and they said, Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan? And the woman said unto them, They are gone over the brook of water. And when they had sought and could not find them, they returned to Jerusalem. <a href="/cev/2_samuel/17.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Absalom's soldiers came to the woman and demanded, "Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?" The woman answered, "They went across that stream." The soldiers went off to look for the two men. But when they did not find the men, they went back to Jerusalem. <a href="/erv/2_samuel/17.htm">English Revised Version</a> And Absalom's servants came to the woman to the house; and they said, Where are 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. <a href="/gwt/2_samuel/17.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Absalom's servants came to the woman at her home. "Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?" they asked. The woman said, "They've crossed the stream." The servants looked for them but did not find them. So Absalom's servants returned to Jerusalem. <a href="/gnt/2_samuel/17.htm">Good News Translation</a> Absalom's officials came to the house and asked the woman, "Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?" "They crossed the river," she answered. The men looked for them but could not find them, and so they returned to Jerusalem. <a href="/isv/2_samuel/17.htm">International Standard Version</a> When Absalom's servants approached the woman of the house, they asked her, "Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?" "They've already crossed the brook," the woman answered. So Absalom's servants went away in search of Jonathan and Ahimaaz, but they couldn't find them, so they returned to Jerusalem. <a href="/msb/2_samuel/17.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> When Absalom?s servants came to the woman at the house, they asked, ?Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?? ?They have crossed over the brook,? she replied. The men searched but did not find them, so they returned to Jerusalem. <a href="/net/2_samuel/17.htm">NET Bible</a> When the servants of Absalom approached the woman at her home, they asked, "Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?" The woman replied to them, "They crossed over the stream." Absalom's men searched but did not find them, so they returned to Jerusalem. <a href="/nheb/2_samuel/17.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Then Absalom's servants came to the woman at the house, and they asked, "Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?" And the woman said to them, "They have crossed the brook of water." And when they had searched and could not find them, they returned to Jerusalem. <a href="/wbt/2_samuel/17.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And when Absalom's servants came to the woman to the house, they said, Where is Ahimaaz and Jonathan? And the woman said to them, they have gone over the brook of water. And when they had sought and could not find them, they returned to Jerusalem. <a href="/web/2_samuel/17.htm">World English Bible</a> Absalom’s servants came to the woman to the house; and they said, “Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?” The woman said to them, “They have gone over the brook of water.” When they had sought and could not find them, they returned to Jerusalem. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/2_samuel/17.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And the servants of Absalom come to the woman at the house, and say, “Where [are] Ahimaaz and Jonathan?” And the woman says to them, “They passed over the brook of water”; and they seek, and have not found, and return to Jerusalem. <a href="/ylt/2_samuel/17.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And the servants of Absalom come in unto the woman to the house, and say, 'Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?' and the woman saith to them, 'They passed over the brook of water;' and they seek, and have not found, and turn back to Jerusalem. <a href="/slt/2_samuel/17.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And Absalom's servants will come to the woman to her house, and they will say, Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan? and the woman will say to them, They passed over the brook of waters. And they will seek and not find; and they will turn back to Jerusalem.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/2_samuel/17.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And when Absalom's servants were come into the house, they said to the woman: Where is Achimaas and Jonathan? and the woman answered them: They passed on in haste, after they had tasted a little water. But they that sought them, when they found them not, returned into Jerusalem. <a href="/cpdv/2_samuel/17.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And when the servants of Absalom had entered into the house, they said to the woman, “Where is Ahimaaz and Jonathan?” And the woman responded to them, “They passed through hurriedly, after they had taken a little water.” But those who were seeking them, when they had not found them, returned to Jerusalem. <a href="/nabre/2_samuel/17.htm">New American Bible</a> When Absalom’s servants came to the woman at the house, they asked, “Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?” The woman replied, “They went by a short while ago toward the water.” They searched, but found no one, and so returned to Jerusalem. <a href="/nrsvce/2_samuel/17.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> When Absalom’s servants came to the woman at the house, they said, “Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?” The woman said to them, “They have crossed over the brook of water.” And when they had searched and could not find them, they returned to Jerusalem.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/2_samuel/17.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And when Absalom's servants came to the woman at the house, they said, Where are Ahimaaz and Nathan? And the woman said to them, They have gone from here, for they wanted water; but when they could not find any, they returned to Jerusalem. <a href="/hpbt/2_samuel/17.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And the Servants of Abishlum came to the house of the woman and said: “Where are Akhimez and Nathan?” The woman said to them: “They went by themselves from here, because they wanted water and they did not find it, and they returned to Jerusalem”<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/2_samuel/17.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And Absalom's servants came to the woman to the house; and they said: 'Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?' And the woman said unto them: 'They are gone over the brook of water.' And when they had sought and could not find them, they returned to Jerusalem. <a href="/sep/2_samuel/17.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And the servants of Abessalom came to the woman into the house, and said, Where are Achimaas and Jonathan? and the woman said to them, They are gone a little way beyond the water. And they sought and found them not, and returned to Jerusalem. <a href="/parallel/2_samuel/17-20.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_0ajZHUzMKw?start=4961" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/2_samuel/17.htm">Hushai's Warning Saves David</a> …19Then the man’s wife took a covering and spread it over the mouth of the well, scattering grain over it so nobody would know a thing. 20<a href="/hebrew/53.htm" title="53: ’aḇ·šā·lō·wm (N-proper-ms) -- Or babshalowm; from 'ab and shalowm; father of peace; Abshalom, a son of David; also a later Israelite.">When Absalom’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/5650.htm" title="5650: ‘aḇ·ḏê (N-mpc) -- Slave, servant. From abad; a servant.">servants</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: way·yā·ḇō·’ū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">came</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: hā·’iš·šāh (Art:: N-fs) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman.">the woman</a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: hab·bay·ṯāh (Art:: N-ms:: 3fs) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">at the house,</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mə·rū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">they asked,</a> <a href="/hebrew/346.htm" title="346: ’ay·yêh (Interrog) -- Where?. Prolonged from 'ay; where?.">“Where</a> <a href="/hebrew/290.htm" title="290: ’ă·ḥî·ma·‘aṣ (N-proper-ms) -- My brother is wrath, two Isr. From 'ach and the equivalent of Ma'ats; brother of anger; Achimaats, the name of three Israelites.">are Ahimaaz</a> <a href="/hebrew/3083.htm" title="3083: wî·hō·w·nā·ṯān (Conj-w:: N-proper-ms) -- From Yhovah and nathan; Jehovah-given; Jehonathan, the name of four Israelites.">and Jonathan?”</a> <a href="/hebrew/5674.htm" title="5674: ‘ā·ḇə·rū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To pass over, through, or by, pass on. A primitive root; to cross over; used very widely of any transition; specifically, to cover.">“They have crossed over</a> <a href="/hebrew/4323.htm" title="4323: mî·ḵal (N-msc) -- A brook, stream. From yakol; properly, a container, i.e. A streamlet.">the brook,”</a> <a href="/hebrew/4325.htm" title="4325: ham·mā·yim (Art:: N-mp) -- Waters, water. Dual of a primitive noun; water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen."></a> <a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: hā·’iš·šāh (Art:: N-fs) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman.">she</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: wat·tō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">replied.</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/1245.htm" title="1245: way·ḇaq·šū (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To seek. A primitive root; to search out; by implication, to strive after.">The men searched</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">but did not</a> <a href="/hebrew/4672.htm" title="4672: mā·ṣā·’ū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To attain to, find. ">find them,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: way·yā·šu·ḇū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">so they returned</a> <a href="/hebrew/3389.htm" title="3389: yə·rū·šā·lim (N-proper-fs) -- Probably foundation of peace, capital city of all Isr. ">to Jerusalem.</a> 21After the men had gone, Ahimaaz and Jonathan climbed up out of the well and went to inform King David, saying, “Get up and cross over the river at once, for Ahithophel has given this advice against you.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/joshua/2-4.htm">Joshua 2:4-6</a> But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. So she said, “Yes, the men did come to me, but I did not know where they had come from. / At dusk, when the gate was about to close, the men went out, and I do not know which way they went. Pursue them quickly, and you may catch them!” / (But Rahab had taken them up to the roof and hidden them among the stalks of flax that she had laid out there.) <a href="/exodus/1-19.htm">Exodus 1:19</a> The midwives answered Pharaoh, “The Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women, for they are vigorous and give birth before a midwife arrives.” <a href="/1_samuel/19-12.htm">1 Samuel 19:12-17</a> So Michal lowered David from the window, and he ran away and escaped. / Then Michal took a household idol and laid it in the bed, placed some goat hair on its head, and covered it with a garment. / When Saul sent the messengers to seize David, Michal said, “He is ill.” ... <a href="/1_kings/18-4.htm">1 Kings 18:4</a> for when Jezebel had slaughtered the prophets of the LORD, Obadiah had taken a hundred prophets and hidden them, fifty men per cave, providing them with food and water.) <a href="/1_kings/18-13.htm">1 Kings 18:13</a> Was it not reported to my lord what I did when Jezebel slaughtered the prophets of the LORD? I hid a hundred prophets of the LORD, fifty men per cave, and I provided them with food and water. <a href="/matthew/2-13.htm">Matthew 2:13-15</a> When the Magi had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up!” he said. “Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the Child to kill Him.” / So he got up, took the Child and His mother by night, and withdrew to Egypt, / where he stayed until the death of Herod. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called My Son.” <a href="/matthew/2-19.htm">Matthew 2:19-23</a> After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt. / “Get up!” he said. “Take the Child and His mother and go to the land of Israel, for those seeking the Child’s life are now dead.” / So Joseph got up, took the Child and His mother, and went to the land of Israel. ... <a href="/acts/9-25.htm">Acts 9:25</a> One night, however, his disciples took him and lowered him in a basket through a window in the wall. <a href="/hebrews/11-31.htm">Hebrews 11:31</a> By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies in peace, did not perish with those who were disobedient. <a href="/james/2-25.htm">James 2:25</a> In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute justified by her actions when she welcomed the spies and sent them off on another route? <a href="/genesis/26-7.htm">Genesis 26:7</a> But when the men of that place asked about his wife, he said, “She is my sister.” For he was afraid to say, “She is my wife,” since he thought to himself, “The men of this place will kill me on account of Rebekah, because she is so beautiful.” <a href="/genesis/12-13.htm">Genesis 12:13</a> Please say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake, and on account of you my life will be spared.” <a href="/genesis/20-2.htm">Genesis 20:2</a> Abraham said of his wife Sarah, “She is my sister.” So Abimelech king of Gerar had Sarah brought to him. <a href="/genesis/27-42.htm">Genesis 27:42-43</a> When the words of her older son Esau were relayed to Rebekah, she sent for her younger son Jacob and told him, “Look, your brother Esau is consoling himself by plotting to kill you. / So now, my son, obey my voice and flee at once to my brother Laban in Haran. <a href="/1_samuel/21-2.htm">1 Samuel 21:2</a> “The king has given me a mission,” David replied. “He told me no one is to know about the mission on which I am sending you. And I have directed my young men to meet me at a certain place.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And when Absalom's servants came to the woman to the house, they said, Where is Ahimaaz and Jonathan? And the woman said to them, They be gone over the brook of water. And when they had sought and could not find them, they returned to Jerusalem.They be gone<a href="/2_samuel/15-34.htm">2 Samuel 15:34</a> But if thou return to the city, and say unto Absalom, I will be thy servant, O king; as I have been thy father's servant hitherto, so will I now also be thy servant: then mayest thou for me defeat the counsel of Ahithophel.<a href="/exodus/1-19.htm">Exodus 1:19</a> And the midwives said unto Pharaoh, Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women; for they are lively, and are delivered ere the midwives come in unto them.<a href="/joshua/2-4.htm">Joshua 2:4,5</a> And the woman took the two men, and hid them, and said thus, There came men unto me, but I wist not whence they were: … when they had sought<a href="/joshua/2-22.htm">Joshua 2:22,23</a> And they went, and came unto the mountain, and abode there three days, until the pursuers were returned: and the pursuers sought them throughout all the way, but found them not… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_samuel/17-18.htm">Absalom</a> <a href="/2_samuel/15-12.htm">Absalom's</a> <a href="/2_samuel/14-30.htm">Ab'salom's</a> <a href="/2_samuel/17-17.htm">Ahimaaz</a> <a href="/2_samuel/17-17.htm">Ahim'a-Az</a> <a href="/2_samuel/17-13.htm">Brook</a> <a href="/2_samuel/15-23.htm">Crossed</a> <a href="/2_samuel/16-4.htm">Find</a> <a href="/2_samuel/17-13.htm">Found</a> <a href="/2_samuel/17-18.htm">House</a> <a href="/2_samuel/16-15.htm">Jerusalem</a> <a href="/2_samuel/17-17.htm">Jonathan</a> <a href="/2_samuel/15-33.htm">Passed</a> <a href="/1_samuel/27-4.htm">Searched</a> <a href="/1_samuel/27-1.htm">Searching</a> <a href="/2_samuel/16-11.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/2_samuel/4-8.htm">Sought</a> <a href="/1_samuel/30-10.htm">Stream</a> <a href="/2_samuel/16-9.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/2_samuel/17-10.htm">Water</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_samuel/17-24.htm">Absalom</a> <a href="/2_samuel/18-14.htm">Absalom's</a> <a href="/2_samuel/13-4.htm">Ab'salom's</a> <a href="/2_samuel/18-19.htm">Ahimaaz</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/6-8.htm">Ahim'a-Az</a> <a href="/2_samuel/24-5.htm">Brook</a> <a href="/2_samuel/17-22.htm">Crossed</a> <a href="/1_kings/1-3.htm">Find</a> <a href="/1_kings/1-3.htm">Found</a> <a href="/2_samuel/17-23.htm">House</a> <a href="/2_samuel/19-19.htm">Jerusalem</a> <a href="/2_samuel/21-7.htm">Jonathan</a> <a href="/2_samuel/17-22.htm">Passed</a> <a href="/1_kings/1-3.htm">Searched</a> <a href="/1_kings/1-3.htm">Searching</a> <a href="/2_samuel/18-7.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/2_samuel/21-1.htm">Sought</a> <a href="/1_kings/2-37.htm">Stream</a> <a href="/2_samuel/18-30.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/2_samuel/17-21.htm">Water</a><div class="vheading2">2 Samuel 17</div>1. <a href="/2_samuel/17-1.htm">Ahithophel's counsel is overthrown by Hushai's</a> 15. <a href="/2_samuel/17-15.htm">Secret intelligence is sent unto David</a> 23. <a href="/2_samuel/17-23.htm">Ahithophel hangs himself</a> 25. <a href="/2_samuel/17-25.htm">Amasa is made captain</a> 27. <a href="/2_samuel/17-27.htm">David at Mahanaim is furnished with provisions</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_samuel/17.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_samuel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/2_samuel/17.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>When Absalom’s servants came to the woman at the house This phrase sets the scene during Absalom's rebellion against King David. Absalom, David's son, had declared himself king, leading to a civil conflict. The "woman at the house" refers to a loyal supporter of David, who played a crucial role in protecting his messengers. This reflects the tension and division within Israel at the time, as well as the bravery of those who remained faithful to David.they asked, “Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?” Ahimaaz and Jonathan were the sons of the priests Zadok and Abiathar, respectively. They served as messengers for David, relaying critical information about Absalom's plans. Their role highlights the importance of communication and intelligence in warfare. The question posed by Absalom's servants indicates their mission to capture these key figures, which would have been a significant blow to David's cause.“They have crossed over the brook,” she replied. The woman's response is a strategic deception to protect Ahimaaz and Jonathan. The "brook" likely refers to a small stream or waterway, possibly the Kidron Valley, which was a known geographical feature near Jerusalem. Her quick thinking and willingness to mislead Absalom's servants demonstrate her loyalty and the risks taken by those supporting David.The men searched but did not find them, This phrase underscores the success of the woman's deception and the providential protection over David's messengers. It also reflects the theme of divine intervention, as seen throughout the Bible, where God often protects His chosen leaders and their followers from harm, as in the case of David.so they returned to Jerusalem. The return to Jerusalem signifies the failure of Absalom's servants to capture Ahimaaz and Jonathan, allowing David to receive the crucial information they carried. Jerusalem, the political and spiritual center of Israel, is a focal point in the narrative, representing the contested seat of power. This moment is pivotal in the unfolding events of Absalom's rebellion and David's eventual restoration as king.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/a/absalom.htm">Absalom</a> The son of King David who rebelled against his father, seeking to usurp the throne of Israel. 2. <a href="/topical/a/ahimaaz_and_jonathan.htm">Ahimaaz and Jonathan</a> Loyal messengers to King David, tasked with delivering crucial information about Absalom's plans. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_woman_at_the_house.htm">The Woman at the House</a> An unnamed woman who provided refuge and protection for Ahimaaz and Jonathan, misleading Absalom’s servants to ensure their safety. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_brook.htm">The Brook</a> A geographical feature mentioned as part of the woman's deceptive answer, indicating a place the messengers supposedly crossed. 5. <a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a> The capital city of Israel, where Absalom's servants returned after failing to find Ahimaaz and Jonathan.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/d/divine_providence_and_protection.htm">Divine Providence and Protection</a> God often uses unexpected means and people to accomplish His purposes and protect His servants. <a href="/topical/m/moral_complexity_in_crisis.htm">Moral Complexity in Crisis</a> The woman's deception raises questions about the ethics of lying for a greater good, prompting believers to consider the complexities of moral decisions in crisis situations. <a href="/topical/l/loyalty_and_courage.htm">Loyalty and Courage</a> Ahimaaz and Jonathan’s mission required bravery and loyalty to King David, exemplifying the virtues of faithfulness and courage in the face of danger. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_women_in_god's_plan.htm">The Role of Women in God’s Plan</a> The unnamed woman’s role in this account highlights how God uses individuals, regardless of status or gender, to fulfill His purposes. <a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_sovereignty.htm">Trust in God’s Sovereignty</a> Despite the chaos and danger, the account encourages believers to trust in God’s overarching plan and His ability to protect and guide His people.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_2_samuel_17.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 2 Samuel 17</a> <a href="/q/who_was_ahimaaz_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Ahimaaz in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/is_swift_secret_messaging_in_2_sam_17_15-21_realistic.htm">How realistic is the swift exchange of secret messages in 2 Samuel 17:15-21, given the distance and security risks involved in ancient Israel?</a> <a href="/q/why_did_absalom_reject_ahithophel's_advice.htm">If Hushai's counsel (2 Samuel 17:7-14) was so clearly delayed and risky, why would Absalom reject Ahithophel's seemingly superior military advice without further scrutiny?</a> <a href="/q/was_abijah's_mother_michaiah_or_maachah.htm">What was King Abijah's mother's name: Michaiah (2 Chronicles 13:2) or Maachah (2 Chronicles 11:20), given Absalom's only daughter was Tamar (2 Samuel 14:27)?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/2_samuel/17.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(20) The brook of water.--This peculiar word for brook occurs only here, and is thought by some writers to be a proper name. A small brook bearing the same name, Michal, is said to exist now in this locality. On the deceit practised by the women, comp. <a href="/context/joshua/2-4.htm" title="And the woman took the two men, and hid them, and said thus, There came men to me, but I knew not from where they were:">Joshua 2:4-7</a>; <a href="/context/1_samuel/19-12.htm" title="So Michal let David down through a window: and he went, and fled, and escaped.">1Samuel 19:12-17</a>. The historian simply records without comment what was done.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_samuel/17.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 20. - They be gone over the brook of water. The word michal, translated "brook," does not occur elsewhere, and probably it was a local name for some stream near Bahurim. It was, we may suppose, in the right direction, but when the pursuers had followed for some time, and caught no glimpse of the runners, knowing their swiftness of foot, they concluded that they had outstripped them. and, giving up the chase as hopeless, returned to Jerusalem. It was only when she had seen them far on their way back that she removed the cover and allowed the young priests to resume their journey. The delay, would have been fatal to David if vigorous counsel had been followed at Jerusalem; as it was, they reached David's camp without further incident, and acquainted him with Ahithophel's plan; and the king at once recognized his danger, and without more delay, commenced at once the passage of the Jordan, and carried it out so skilfully and rapidly, that by the morning every one of his company was safe on the other side. <a href="/commentaries/2_samuel/17-20.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>When Absalom’s אַבְשָׁל֨וֹם (’aḇ·šā·lō·wm) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_53.htm">Strong's 53: </a> Absalom -- 'my father is peace', two Israelites servants עַבְדֵי֩ (‘aḇ·ḏê) Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5650.htm">Strong's 5650: </a> Slave, servant came וַיָּבֹ֣אוּ (way·yā·ḇō·’ū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> To come in, come, go in, go to אֶֽל־ (’el-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to the woman הָאִשָּׁ֜ה (hā·’iš·šāh) Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_802.htm">Strong's 802: </a> Woman, wife, female at the house, הַבַּ֗יְתָה (hab·bay·ṯāh) Article | Noun - masculine singular | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> A house they asked, וַיֹּֽאמְרוּ֙ (way·yō·mə·rū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say “Where אַיֵּ֗ה (’ay·yêh) Interrogative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_346.htm">Strong's 346: </a> Where? are Ahimaaz אֲחִימַ֙עַץ֙ (’ă·ḥî·ma·‘aṣ) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_290.htm">Strong's 290: </a> Ahimaaz -- 'my brother is wrath', two Israelites and Jonathan?” וִיה֣וֹנָתָ֔ן (wî·hō·w·nā·ṯān) Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3083.htm">Strong's 3083: </a> Jonathan -- 'the LORD has given', the name of a number of Israelites “They have crossed over עָבְר֖וּ (‘ā·ḇə·rū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5674.htm">Strong's 5674: </a> To pass over, through, or by, pass on the brook,” מִיכַ֣ל (mî·ḵal) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4323.htm">Strong's 4323: </a> A container, a streamlet she הָֽאִשָּׁ֔ה (hā·’iš·šāh) Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_802.htm">Strong's 802: </a> Woman, wife, female replied. וַתֹּ֤אמֶר (wat·tō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say The men searched וַיְבַקְשׁוּ֙ (way·ḇaq·šū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1245.htm">Strong's 1245: </a> To search out, to strive after but did not וְלֹ֣א (wə·lō) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no find [them], מָצָ֔אוּ (mā·ṣā·’ū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4672.htm">Strong's 4672: </a> To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present so they returned וַיָּשֻׁ֖בוּ (way·yā·šu·ḇū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> To turn back, in, to retreat, again to Jerusalem. יְרוּשָׁלִָֽם׃ (yə·rū·šā·lim) Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3389.htm">Strong's 3389: </a> Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_samuel/17-20.htm">2 Samuel 17:20 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/2_samuel/17-20.htm">2 Samuel 17:20 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/2_samuel/17-20.htm">2 Samuel 17:20 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/2_samuel/17-20.htm">2 Samuel 17:20 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/2_samuel/17-20.htm">2 Samuel 17:20 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/2_samuel/17-20.htm">2 Samuel 17:20 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_samuel/17-20.htm">2 Samuel 17:20 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_samuel/17-20.htm">2 Samuel 17:20 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/2_samuel/17-20.htm">2 Samuel 17:20 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/2_samuel/17-20.htm">2 Samuel 17:20 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/2_samuel/17-20.htm">OT History: 2 Samuel 17:20 Absalom's servants came to the woman (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_samuel/17-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Samuel 17:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Samuel 17:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_samuel/17-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Samuel 17:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Samuel 17:21" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>