King James Version

What Does 2 Samuel 17:20 Mean?

2 Samuel 17:20 in the King James Version says “And when Absalom's servants came to the woman to the house, they said, Where is Ahimaaz and Jonathan? And the woman said... — study this verse from 2 Samuel chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

2 Samuel 17:20 · KJV


Context

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 thereon; and the thing was not known.

20

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.

21

And it came to pass, after they were departed, that they came up out of the well, and went and told king David, and said unto David, Arise, and pass quickly over the water: for thus hath Ahithophel counselled against you.

22

Then David arose, and all the people that were with him, and they passed over Jordan: by the morning light there lacked not one of them that was not gone over Jordan.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

This verse contributes to the narrative of Competing Counsel, emphasizing divine providence over human wisdom. The contrast between Ahithophel's shrewd counsel and Hushai's divinely-blessed alternative demonstrates God's providential control over human wisdom. The text explicitly states "the LORD had appointed to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel" (v. 14), emphasizing divine sovereignty. Ahithophel's suicide demonstrates despair when human wisdom fails. Theological themes include God's sovereignty over human planning, divine protection of His anointed, and the inadequacy of worldly wisdom apart from God.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The historical setting of 2 Samuel 17 occurs during David's reign (circa 1010-970 BCE) over Israel's united monarchy. Archaeological discoveries, including the Tel Dan inscription mentioning the 'House of David,' corroborate biblical historicity. Ancient Near Eastern customs regarding divine providence over human wisdom provide crucial background. The geopolitical situation involved regional powers—Philistines, Ammonites, Arameans, Moabites, Edomites—as David consolidated and expanded Israel's territory. Cultural practices concerning kingship, warfare, covenant relationships, family dynamics, and religious observance differed significantly from modern Western contexts, requiring careful attention to avoid anachronistic interpretation while extracting timeless theological principles applicable across cultures and eras.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage deepen your understanding of divine providence over human wisdom?
  2. What does this verse reveal about God's character, and how should that shape your worship and obedience?
  3. In what specific ways can you apply this truth to your current circumstances and relationships this week?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וַיָּבֹ֣אוּ1 of 21

came

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

עַבְדֵי֩2 of 21

servants

H5650

a servant

אַבְשָׁל֨וֹם3 of 21

And when Absalom's

H53

abshalom, a son of david; also (the fuller form) a later israelite

אֶֽל4 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָֽאִשָּׁ֔ה5 of 21

And the woman

H802

a woman

הַבַּ֗יְתָה6 of 21

to the house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

וַתֹּ֤אמֶר7 of 21

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אַיֵּ֗ה8 of 21
H346

where?

אֲחִימַ֙עַץ֙9 of 21

Where is Ahimaaz

H290

achimaats, the name of three israelites

וִיה֣וֹנָתָ֔ן10 of 21

and Jonathan

H3083

jehonathan, the name of four israelites

וַתֹּ֤אמֶר11 of 21

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לָהֶם֙12 of 21
H0
הָֽאִשָּׁ֔ה13 of 21

And the woman

H802

a woman

עָֽבְר֖וּ14 of 21

unto them They be gone over

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

מִיכַ֣ל15 of 21

the brook

H4323

properly, a container, i.e., a streamlet

הַמָּ֑יִם16 of 21

of water

H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

וַיְבַקְשׁוּ֙17 of 21

And when they had sought

H1245

to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after

וְלֹ֣א18 of 21
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

מָצָ֔אוּ19 of 21

and could not find

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

וַיָּשֻׁ֖בוּ20 of 21

them they returned

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

יְרֽוּשָׁלִָֽם׃21 of 21

to Jerusalem

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Samuel 17:20 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Samuel 17:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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