Bible Strands
2 Samuel 17:21
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.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Ahimaaz and Jonathan emerge from the well after Absalom’s scouts leave and deliver a warning to King David. They instruct him to cross the river immediately because Ahithophel has formulated a strategy against him.
The words — The Hebrew וַ/יַּעֲלוּ (va/i.ya.'a.Lu) means "and they came up," denoting their physical exit from the hiding place. The verb וַ/יַּגִּ֖דוּ (va/i.ya.Gi.du) translates as "and they told," recording the precise transmission of the intelligence to the monarch.
The thread — This report fulfills the warning Hushai gave to the priests in 2 Samuel 17:15 and directly enables the mass crossing described in 2 Samuel 17:22.
Why it lands — The text requires a reader to see how concealed messengers deliver time-sensitive information that dictates royal survival. It demonstrates that strategic advantage in conflict depends on timely intelligence and immediate execution.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James 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 said unto David, Arise, and pass quickly over the water: for thus hath Ahithophel counselled against you.
Cross-references
- 2 Samuel 17:15 So Hushai told Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, “This is what Ahithophel has advised Absalom and the elders of Israel, and this is what I have advised.