King James Version

What Does 2 Samuel 17:21 Mean?

2 Samuel 17:21 in the King James Version says “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...” — study this verse from 2 Samuel chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

2 Samuel 17:21 · KJV

Context

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.

23

And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father. followed: Heb. done put his: Heb. gave charge concerning his house

Read 2 Samuel 17 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

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 · 22 words
וַיְהִ֣י׀1 of 22
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

אַֽחֲרֵ֣י2 of 22

“And it came to pass after”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

לֶכְתָּ֗ם3 of 22
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

וַֽיַּעֲלוּ֙4 of 22

“that they came up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

מֵֽהַבְּאֵ֔ר5 of 22

“out of the well”

H875

a pit; especially a well

וַיֵּ֣לְכ֔וּ6 of 22
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

וַיַּגִּ֖דוּ7 of 22

“and told”

H5046

properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to

לַמֶּ֣לֶךְ8 of 22

“king”

H4428

a king

דָּוִ֗ד9 of 22

“David”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

וַיֹּֽאמְר֣וּ10 of 22

“and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֶל11 of 22
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

דָּוִ֗ד12 of 22

“David”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

ק֣וּמוּ13 of 22

“Arise”

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

וְעִבְר֤וּ14 of 22

“over”

H5674

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

מְהֵרָה֙15 of 22

“and pass quickly”

H4120

properly, a hurry; hence (adverbially) promptly

אֶת16 of 22
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַמַּ֔יִם17 of 22

“the water”

H4325

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

כִּי18 of 22
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

כָ֛כָה19 of 22
H3602

just so, referring to the previous or following context

יָעַ֥ץ20 of 22

“counselled”

H3289

to advise; reflexively, to deliberate or resolve

עֲלֵיכֶ֖ם21 of 22
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

אֲחִיתֹֽפֶל׃22 of 22

“for thus hath Ahithophel”

H302

achithophel, an israelite

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 17:21 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 17:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Samuel 17:15-16

Places in This Verse

JordanRiver · Modern: Jordan River · 31.76°N, 35.56°E202 verses across 21 books
View all places in 2 Samuel 17 →

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