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." After they had goneThis 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. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe anointed king of Israel, who is fleeing from his son Absalom's rebellion. 2. AhithophelA former counselor of David who has defected to Absalom's side and is known for his wise counsel. 3. AbsalomDavid's son who has declared himself king and is pursuing David. 4. The WellA hiding place for David's messengers, Jonathan and Ahimaaz, who are delivering crucial information. 5. The RiverThe Jordan River, which David and his followers need to cross to escape Absalom's forces. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty Over Human PlansDespite Ahithophel's wise counsel, God's plan prevails. Trust in God's ultimate control over circumstances. The Importance of Godly CounselDavid's reliance on loyal messengers highlights the value of surrounding oneself with godly advisors. Urgency in ObedienceThe immediate action taken by David upon receiving the message underscores the importance of prompt obedience to God's guidance. Faith in Times of CrisisDavid's situation teaches us to maintain faith and seek God's direction during life's challenges. The Role of Divine ProvidenceThe safe delivery of the message to David illustrates God's providential care in orchestrating events for His purposes. Bible Study Questions 1. How does David's response to the message reflect his trust in God, and how can we apply this trust in our own lives? 2. In what ways does the account of Ahithophel's counsel remind us of the importance of seeking God's wisdom over human advice? 3. How can we identify and cultivate godly relationships that provide wise counsel in our lives? 4. What does this passage teach us about the urgency of acting on God's guidance, and how can we apply this in our daily decisions? 5. How does the theme of divine providence in this passage encourage us to trust in God's plan, even when circumstances seem dire? Connections to Other Scriptures Psalm 3David's prayer during his flight from Absalom, expressing trust in God's protection. Proverbs 19:21Highlights the sovereignty of God's plans over human counsel, relevant to Ahithophel's advice. 1 Kings 2:7David's instructions to Solomon regarding the sons of Barzillai, who helped him during this time. Psalm 55:12-14David laments betrayal by a close friend, possibly reflecting on Ahithophel's defection. James 1:5Encourages seeking God's wisdom, contrasting with reliance on human counsel like Ahithophel's. People Abiathar, Abigail, Absalom, Ahimaaz, Ahithophel, Amasa, Ammiel, Ammonites, Arkite, Barzillai, Dan, David, Hushai, Ithra, Jesse, Jether, Joab, Jonathan, Machir, Nahash, Shobi, Zadok, ZeruiahPlaces Bahurim, Beersheba, Dan, En-rogel, Gilead, Jerusalem, Jordan River, Lo-debar, Mahanaim, Rabbah, RogelimTopics Advised, Ahithophel, Ahith'ophel, Ahithophel's, Arise, Counseled, Counselled, Cross, David, Declare, Departed, Designs, Hastily, Inform, News, Pass, Quickly, Rise, River, Servants, Thus, Water-hole, WatersDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Samuel 17:21-23 5779 advice Library "The King Kissed Barzillai. " 2 Sam. xix. 39
And no wonder, for David could appreciate a real man when he saw him, and so does David's Lord. I.--LOYALTY IS PRECIOUS TO THE KING OF KINGS. In the days when the son of Jesse had but few friends, it was a precious thing to be treated in the style Barzillai and his neighbours entertained him (see 2 Sam. xvii. 27-29). They were rich farmers, and had land which brought forth with abundance, so were able to act with princely hospitality to the fugitive monarch. But plenty may live with avarice, and …
Thomas Champness—Broken BreadThe Nations of the South-East
Israel was cut in two by the Jordan. The districts east of the Jordan were those that had first been conquered; it was from thence that the followers of Joshua had gone forth to possess themselves of Canaan. But this division of the territory was a source of weakness. The interests of the tribes on the two sides of the river were never quite the same; at times indeed they were violently antagonistic. When the disruption of the monarchy came after the death of Solomon, Judah was the stronger for the …
Archibald Sayce—Early Israel and the Surrounding Nations Barzillai
BY REV. GEORGE MILLIGAN, M.A., D.D. "There is nothing," says Socrates to Cephalus in the Republic, "I like better than conversing with aged men. For I regard them as travellers who have gone a journey which I too may have to go, and of whom it is right to learn the character of the way, whether it is rugged or difficult, or smooth and easy" (p. 328 E.). It is to such an aged traveller that we are introduced in the person of Barzillai the Gileadite. And though he is one of the lesser-known characters …
George Milligan—Men of the Bible; Some Lesser-Known Continued.
In addition to the psalms already considered, which are devoted to the devout contemplation of nature, and stand in close connection with David's early days, there still remains one universally admitted to be his. The twenty-ninth psalm, like both the preceding, has to do with the glory of God as revealed in the heavens, and with earth only as the recipient of skyey influences; but while these breathed the profoundest tranquillity, as they watched the silent splendour of the sun, and the peace of …
Alexander Maclaren—The Life of David David and Jonathan's Son
'And David said, is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan's sake? 2. And there was of the house of Saul a servant whose name was Ziba. And when they had called him unto David, the king said unto him, Art thou Ziba? And he said, Thy servant is he. 3. And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet. 4. And the …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Mr. John Bunyan's Dying Sayings.
OF SIN. Sin is the great block and bar to our happiness, the procurer of all miseries to man, both here and hereafter: take away sin and nothing can hurt us: for death, temporal, spiritual, and eternal, is the wages of it. Sin, and man for sin, is the object of the wrath of God. How dreadful, therefore, must his case be who continues in sin! For who can bear or grapple with the wrath of God? No sin against God can be little, because it is against the great God of heaven and earth; but if the sinner …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Letter xxxvi (Circa A. D. 1131) to the Same Hildebert, who had not yet Acknowledged the Lord Innocent as Pope.
To the Same Hildebert, Who Had Not Yet Acknowledged the Lord Innocent as Pope. He exhorts him to recognise Innocent, now an exile in France, owing to the schism of Peter Leonis, as the rightful Pontiff. To the great prelate, most exalted in renown, Hildebert, by the grace of God Archbishop of Tours, Bernard, called Abbot of Clairvaux, sends greeting, and prays that he may walk in the Spirit, and spiritually discern all things. 1. To address you in the words of the prophet, Consolation is hid from …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux King of Kings and Lord of Lords
And He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, K ING OF K INGS AND L ORD OF L ORDS T he description of the administration and glory of the Redeemer's Kingdom, in defiance of all opposition, concludes the second part of Messiah Oratorio. Three different passages from the book of Revelation are selected to form a grand chorus, of which Handel's title in this verse is the close --a title which has been sometimes vainly usurped by proud worms of this earth. Eastern monarchs, in particular, …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2 Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire from 745 to 722 B. C.
TIGLATH-PILESER III. AND THE ORGANISATION OF THE ASSYRIAN EMPIRE FROM 745 to 722 B.C. FAILURE OF URARTU AND RE-CONQUEST Of SYRIA--EGYPT AGAIN UNITED UNDER ETHIOPIAN AUSPICES--PIONKHI--THE DOWNFALL OF DAMASCUS, OF BABYLON, AND OF ISRAEL. Assyria and its neighbours at the accession of Tiglath-pileser III.: progress of the Aramaeans in the basin of the Middle Tigris--Urartu and its expansion into the north of Syria--Damascus and Israel--Vengeance of Israel on Damascus--Jeroboam II.--Civilisation …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7 Samuel
Alike from the literary and the historical point of view, the book[1] of Samuel stands midway between the book of Judges and the book of Kings. As we have already seen, the Deuteronomic book of Judges in all probability ran into Samuel and ended in ch. xii.; while the story of David, begun in Samuel, embraces the first two chapters of the first book of Kings. The book of Samuel is not very happily named, as much of it is devoted to Saul and the greater part to David; yet it is not altogether inappropriate, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 2 Samuel 17:21 NIV2 Samuel 17:21 NLT2 Samuel 17:21 ESV2 Samuel 17:21 NASB2 Samuel 17:21 KJV
2 Samuel 17:21 Commentaries
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