2 Samuel 17:21
New International Version
After they had gone, the two climbed out of the well and went to inform King David. They said to him, “Set out and cross the river at once; Ahithophel has advised such and such against you.”

New Living Translation
Then the two men crawled out of the well and hurried on to King David. “Quick!” they told him, “cross the Jordan tonight!” And they told him how Ahithophel had advised that he be captured and killed.

English Standard Version
After they had gone, the men came up out of the well, and went and told King David. They said to David, “Arise, and go quickly over the water, for thus and so has Ahithophel counseled against you.”

Berean Standard Bible
After 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.”

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Now it came to pass, after they had departed, that they came up out of the well and went and told King David, and said to David, “Arise and cross over the water quickly. For thus has Ahithophel advised against you.”

New American Standard Bible
It came about after they had departed, that they came up out of the well and went and reported to King David; and they said to David, “Set out and cross over the water quickly, because this is what Ahithophel has advised against you.”

NASB 1995
It came about after they had departed that they came up out of the well and went and told King David; and they said to David, “Arise and cross over the water quickly for thus Ahithophel has counseled against you.”

NASB 1977
And it came about after they had departed that they came up out of the well and went and told King David; and they said to David, “Arise and cross over the water quickly for thus Ahithophel has counseled against you.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Now it happened after they went away, that they came up out of the well and went and informed King David; and they said to David, “Arise and cross over the water quickly for thus Ahithophel has counseled against you.”

Amplified Bible
After they left, Jonathan and Ahimaaz came up out of the well and went and informed King David, and said to David, “Arise and cross over the Jordan River quickly, for Ahithophel has advised [an attack] against you.”

Christian Standard Bible
After they had gone, Ahimaaz and Jonathan climbed out of the well and went and informed King David. They told him, “Get up and immediately ford the river, for Ahithophel has given this advice against you.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
After they had gone, Ahimaaz and Jonathan climbed out of the well and went and informed King David. They told him, “Get up and immediately ford the river, for Ahithophel has given this advice against you.”

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

Contemporary English Version
After the soldiers had gone, Jonathan and Ahimaaz climbed out of the well. They went to David and said, "Hurry! Get ready to cross the river!" Then they told him about Ahithophel's plan.

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
After Absalom's servants left, both men came out of the cistern and went and told King David. "Leave right away," they told David. "Cross the river quickly because this is what Ahithophel has advised against you...."

Good News Translation
After they left, Ahimaaz and Jonathan came up out of the well and went and reported to King David. They told him what Ahithophel had planned against him and said, "Hurry up and cross the river."

International Standard Version
A little while later, the men crawled up out of the well and went off to talk to King David. They told David, "Get up! Cross the water quickly, because this is what Ahithophel advised about you…"

Majority Standard Bible
After 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.?

NET Bible
After the men had left, Ahimaaz and Jonathan climbed out of the well. Then they left and informed King David. They advised David, "Get up and cross the stream quickly, for Ahithophel has devised a plan to catch you."

New Heart English Bible
It came about after they had left that they climbed out of the well, and left and told king David. And they said to him, "Get up and cross quickly over the water, for Ahithophel has given such and such counsel against you."

Webster's Bible Translation
And it came to pass, after they had departed, that they came out of the well, and went and told king David, and said to David, Arise, and pass quickly over the water: for thus hath Ahithophel counseled against you.

World English Bible
After they had departed, they came up out of the well and went and told King David; and they said to David, “Arise and pass quickly over the water; for thus has Ahithophel counseled against you.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And it comes to pass, after their going on, that they come up out of the well, and go and declare [it] to King David, and say to David, “Rise, and pass over the waters quickly, for thus has Ahithophel counseled against you.”

Young's Literal Translation
And it cometh to pass, after their going on, that they come up out of the well, and go and declare to king David, and say unto David, 'Rise ye, and pass over hastily the waters, for thus hath Ahithophel counselled against you.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And it will be after their going, and they will come up out of the well and will go and announce to king David, and they will say to David, Arise ye, and pass quickly over the waters, for thus counseled Ahithophel against you.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And when they were gone, they came up out of the well, and going on told king David, and said: Arise, and pass quickly over the river: for this manner of counsel has Achitophel given against you.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And when they had gone, they ascended from the well. And traveling, they reported to king David, and they said: “Rise up, and go across the river quickly. For Ahithophel has given a counsel of this kind against you.”

New American Bible
As soon as they left, Ahimaaz and Jonathan came up out of the cistern and went on to report to King David. They said to him: “Leave! Cross the water at once, for Ahithophel has given such and such counsel in regard to you.”

New Revised Standard Version
After they had gone, the men came up out of the well, and went and told King David. They said to David, “Go and cross the water quickly; for thus and so has Ahithophel counseled against you.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And after Absalom's servants had gone, they came up out of the well and went and told King David, and said to him, Arise and cross quickly over the water; for thus has Ahithophel counselled against you.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And after they had gone, they came up by themselves from the well and they went, they told King David and they said to him: “Rise quickly and cross over the water, because thus has Akhithuphel counseled against you!”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And it came to pass, after they were departed, that they came up out of the well, and went and told king David; and they said unto David: 'Arise ye, and pass quickly over the water; for thus hath Ahithophel counselled against you.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And it came to pass after they were gone, that they came up out of the pit, and went on their way; and reported to king David, and said to David, Arise ye and go quickly over the water, for thus has Achitophel counselled concerning you.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Hushai's Warning Saves David
20When 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. 21 After 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.” 22So David and all the people with him got up and crossed the Jordan. By daybreak, there was no one left who had not crossed the Jordan.…

Cross References
2 Samuel 15:13-14
Then a messenger came to David and reported, “The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.” / And David said to all the servants with him in Jerusalem, “Arise and let us flee, or we will not escape from Absalom! We must leave quickly, or he will soon overtake us, heap disaster on us, and put the city to the sword.”

2 Samuel 15:31-34
Now someone told David: “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” So David pleaded, “O LORD, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!” / When David came to the summit, where he used to worship God, Hushai the Archite was there to meet him with his robe torn and dust on his head. / David said to him, “If you go on with me, you will be a burden to me. ...

2 Samuel 16:15-19
Then Absalom and all the men of Israel came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel was with him. / And David’s friend Hushai the Archite went to Absalom and said to him, “Long live the king! Long live the king!” / “Is this the loyalty you show your friend?” Absalom replied. “Why did you not go with your friend?” ...

2 Samuel 18:19-20
Then Ahimaaz son of Zadok said, “Please let me run and tell the king the good news that the LORD has avenged him of his enemies.” / But Joab replied, “You are not the man to take good news today. You may do it another day, but you must not do so today, because the king’s son is dead.”

1 Kings 1:11-14
Then Nathan said to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, “Have you not heard that Adonijah son of Haggith has become king, and our lord David does not know it? / Now please, come and let me advise you. Save your own life and the life of your son Solomon. / Go at once to King David and say, ‘My lord the king, did you not swear to your maidservant, “Surely your son Solomon will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne”? Why then has Adonijah become king?’ ...

1 Kings 2:26-27
Then the king said to Abiathar the priest, “Go back to your fields in Anathoth. Even though you deserve to die, I will not put you to death at this time, since you carried the ark of the Lord GOD before my father David, and you suffered through all that my father suffered.” / So Solomon banished Abiathar from the priesthood of the LORD and thus fulfilled the word that the LORD had spoken at Shiloh against the house of Eli.

Psalm 3:1-8
A Psalm of David, when he fled from his son Absalom. O LORD, how my foes have increased! How many rise up against me! / Many say of me, “God will not deliver him.” Selah / But You, O LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, and the One who lifts my head. ...

Psalm 41:9
Even my close friend whom I trusted, the one who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.

Psalm 55:12-14
For it is not an enemy who insults me; that I could endure. It is not a foe who rises against me; from him I could hide. / But it is you, a man like myself, my companion and close friend. / We shared sweet fellowship together; we walked with the crowd into the house of God.

Proverbs 19:21
Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.

Isaiah 8:10
Devise a plan, but it will be thwarted; state a proposal, but it will not happen. For God is with us.”

Jeremiah 18:18
Then some said, “Come, let us make plans against Jeremiah, for the law will never be lost to the priest, nor counsel to the wise, nor an oracle to the prophet. Come, let us denounce him and pay no heed to any of his words.”

Matthew 10:16
Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

Matthew 26:14-16
Then one of the Twelve, the one called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests / and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I hand Him over to you?” And they set out for him thirty pieces of silver. / So from then on Judas looked for an opportunity to betray Jesus.

Matthew 26:47-50
While Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and elders of the people. / Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The One I kiss is the man; arrest Him.” / Going directly to Jesus, he said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him. ...


Treasury of Scripture

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 to David, Arise, and pass quickly over the water: for thus has Ahithophel counceled against you.

Arise

2 Samuel 17:15,16
Then said Hushai unto Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, Thus and thus did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the elders of Israel; and thus and thus have I counselled…

thus hath Ahithophel

2 Samuel 17:1-3
Moreover Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Let me now choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night: …

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2 Samuel 17
1. Ahithophel's counsel is overthrown by Hushai's
15. Secret intelligence is sent unto David
23. Ahithophel hangs himself
25. Amasa is made captain
27. David at Mahanaim is furnished with provisions














After they had gone
This phrase indicates a transition and a moment of safety. The men referred to here are Jonathan and Ahimaaz, who were hiding from Absalom's forces. The Hebrew root for "gone" (הלך, halak) often implies a journey or a purposeful movement. In the context of this narrative, it signifies the completion of a dangerous mission, highlighting God's providence in protecting His messengers.

the men climbed out of the well
The "men" are Jonathan and Ahimaaz, loyal supporters of King David. The act of "climbing out of the well" symbolizes emerging from a place of concealment and danger. Wells in ancient Israel were often deep and difficult to escape from, making this a significant moment of deliverance. This imagery can be seen as a metaphor for God's deliverance of His people from perilous situations.

and went to inform King David
The urgency in "went to inform" underscores the critical nature of their message. The Hebrew verb for "inform" (נגד, nagad) implies making something known or declaring it openly. This reflects the role of these men as faithful messengers, emphasizing the importance of communication and truth in God's plans.

Get up and cross the river quickly
The command "Get up" (קום, qum) is a call to action, often used in the Bible to signify a divine prompting or urgent necessity. "Cross the river quickly" indicates the Jordan River, a significant geographical and spiritual boundary in Israel's history. Crossing the Jordan often symbolizes entering into a new phase or receiving God's promises, as seen in the Israelites' entry into the Promised Land.

for this is what Ahithophel has counseled against you
Ahithophel was a former advisor to David who defected to Absalom. His counsel was highly regarded, making his betrayal particularly dangerous. The Hebrew root for "counseled" (יעץ, ya'ats) implies giving advice or planning. This highlights the spiritual battle between godly wisdom and worldly counsel, reminding believers to seek divine guidance over human advice.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
After
אַחֲרֵ֣י (’a·ḥă·rê)
Preposition
Strong's 310: The hind or following part

[the men] had gone,
לֶכְתָּ֗ם (leḵ·tām)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

Ahimaaz and Jonathan climbed up
וַֽיַּעֲלוּ֙ (way·ya·‘ă·lū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

out of the well
מֵֽהַבְּאֵ֔ר (mê·hab·bə·’êr)
Preposition-m, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 875: A pit, a well

and went
וַיֵּ֣לְכ֔וּ (way·yê·lə·ḵū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

to inform
וַיַּגִּ֖דוּ (way·yag·gi·ḏū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5046: To be conspicuous

King
לַמֶּ֣לֶךְ (lam·me·leḵ)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

David,
דָּוִ֑ד (dā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

saying,
וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ (way·yō·mə·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Get up
ק֣וּמוּ (qū·mū)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand

and cross over
וְעִבְר֤וּ (wə·‘iḇ·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on

the river
הַמַּ֔יִם (ham·ma·yim)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen

at once,
מְהֵרָה֙ (mə·hê·rāh)
Adverb
Strong's 4120: A hurry, promptly

for
כִּי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

Ahithophel
אֲחִיתֹֽפֶל׃ (’ă·ḥî·ṯō·p̄el)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 302: Ahithophel -- an adviser of David

has given this
כָ֛כָה (ḵā·ḵāh)
Adverb
Strong's 3602: Just so

advice
יָעַ֥ץ (yā·‘aṣ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3289: To advise, to deliberate, resolve

against you.”
עֲלֵיכֶ֖ם (‘ă·lê·ḵem)
Preposition | second person masculine plural
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against


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OT History: 2 Samuel 17:21 It happened after they had departed that (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
2 Samuel 17:20
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