2 Samuel 17:18

2 Samuel 17:18

ESV: But a young man saw them and told Absalom. So both of them went away quickly and came to the house of a man at Bahurim, who had a well in his courtyard. And they went down into it.

KJV: 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.

NIV: But a young man saw them and told Absalom. So the two of them left at once and went to the house of a man in Bahurim. He had a well in his courtyard, and they climbed down into it.

NKJV: Nevertheless a lad saw them, and told Absalom. But both of them went away quickly and came to a man's house in Bahurim, who had a well in his court; and they went down into it.

NLT: But a boy spotted them at En-rogel, and he told Absalom about it. So they quickly escaped to Bahurim, where a man hid them down inside a well in his courtyard.

Meaning

This verse describes the narrow escape of Jonathan and Ahimaaz, David’s messengers, after they were discovered. A young man observed them and reported their presence to Absalom, necessitating a swift flight. They found refuge and concealment in the house of a man in Bahurim, a town east of Jerusalem, specifically utilizing a well within his courtyard for their hiding. This act was critical in their mission to relay vital intelligence to David, protecting him from Absalom's imminent attack.

Cross References

Context

This verse occurs during Absalom's rebellion against his father, King David. After David fled Jerusalem, Hushai the Archite, David's loyal friend, infiltrated Absalom's counsel under the guise of defection. Hushai successfully undermined Ahithophel's counsel to immediately pursue David, which would have ensured Absalom's victory. Hushai then sent messengers, Jonathan and Ahimaaz (sons of priests Zadok and Abiathar), to inform David of Ahithophel's superior initial counsel and Absalom's intent, urging him to cross the Jordan River to safety before Absalom's forces could regroup. The preceding verses (17:15-17) describe Hushai's dispatch of the spies, highlighting the urgency. Verse 18 then recounts their discovery and escape, demonstrating the dangerous circumstances under which vital intelligence was conveyed. Bahurim is a village notorious as the place where Shimei, a relative of Saul, cursed and threw stones at David during his flight (2 Sam 16:5).

Word analysis

• But a young man (`נער` - na'ar): This term denotes a youth or servant. It is unspecified whether this youth was part of Absalom's army, a local inhabitant loyal to Absalom, or simply a bystander who recognized the spies or suspected their purpose. His act of informing Absalom underscores the constant threat and vigilance of Absalom's forces, and the risk involved in David's intelligence operations.
• saw them (`ראם` - ra'am from ra'ah): Signifies a direct observation, not just suspicion. The visibility of the messengers indicated their immediate peril and the failure of their prior covertness.
• and told Absalom: This is the pivotal moment that puts the spies' lives and David's future in jeopardy. The report of their presence confirms that Hushai's plan, while ingenious, carried extreme risk. Absalom, seeking to consolidate his power and capture David, would certainly pursue these spies aggressively to gain intelligence or eliminate them.
• but they went both of them away quickly: Highlights the urgency and danger. The swiftness of their departure was crucial for their survival, indicating they had very little time to escape detection and capture by Absalom's men. This haste suggests their awareness of the severity of the situation.
• and came to a man's house: The Providence of God is evident in their finding refuge precisely when needed. This unnamed individual's willingness to help David's men, especially in a place like Bahurim known for Saulide loyalty (referencing Shimei's actions in 2 Sam 16), is significant and underscores God's hand working through unexpected people.
• in Bahurim: A town just east of Jerusalem on the road to the Jordan valley. Its strategic location makes it a logical stop on the path towards the Jordan. However, it's also where Shimei had earlier cursed David, indicating a degree of hostility or at least lack of firm support for David in the area. The assistance found here therefore carries a special nuance of divine favor.
• which had a well (`באר` - be'er): A water well was a common feature in courtyards or within private dwellings. Such a feature provided immediate, effective concealment that would likely not be the first place pursuers would check. Wells were deep and often covered, making them ideal for quick hiding. This detail demonstrates resourcefulness and a practical understanding of available resources for evasion.
• in his court: Denotes a private, enclosed area of the house. The term `חצר` (chatzer) often refers to a courtyard, a space around or within a dwelling, typically walled, providing privacy and security. This implies the act of hiding was deliberate and inside the property.
• whither they went down: Indicates descending into the well. This action sealed their immediate concealment. The success of this hiding strategy ultimately ensures the intelligence reaches David, changing the course of the rebellion.

• "But a young man saw them, and told Absalom;": This phrase introduces the immediate threat. The swift action of the informant contrasts with the urgency needed by David's messengers, establishing high stakes. This unexpected discovery demonstrates the unpredictable nature of intelligence gathering and the constant vigilance required. It could also represent how even the most well-laid plans face unforeseen obstacles.
• "but they went both of them away quickly,": This phrase emphasizes the speed and coordination of Jonathan and Ahimaaz in their escape. Their prompt reaction highlights their experience in dangerous situations and commitment to their mission. It signifies a decisive and immediate response to perceived danger.
• "and came to a man's house in Bahurim, which had a well in his court;": This longer phrase introduces the place of refuge. The anonymity of the "man" combined with the specificity of "Bahurim" and "well" indicates a divinely orchestrated coincidence or direct providence. The ordinary nature of a house with a well becomes extraordinary in this critical moment of hiding, providing an unexpected sanctuary from Absalom's pursuit.
• "whither they went down.": The simple declarative statement describes their critical action. Descending into the well symbolizes their desperate act for survival, illustrating the perilous situation and their resolve. It signifies their willingness to endure discomfort for the sake of their mission.

Commentary

This verse serves as a tense interlude in the dramatic unfolding of Absalom's rebellion, showcasing the perils faced by David's loyal intelligence network. The spies, Jonathan and Ahimaaz, entrusted with delivering critical information to David, are exposed by a young man, triggering an immediate and desperate flight. Their discovery leads them to seek refuge in a seemingly ordinary well within a private courtyard in Bahurim. This mundane detail becomes providentially crucial, illustrating how divine intervention often utilizes common means to achieve extraordinary ends. The swift action of the spies, the unlikely aid from an anonymous individual, and the seemingly providential existence of the well combine to ensure their survival and, ultimately, the delivery of the intelligence that saves David. It's a testament to the risks inherent in clandestine operations and a profound display of God's sovereign protection over His anointed, frustrating the designs of the wicked. This episode, alongside Hushai's successful deception of Absalom, forms a cornerstone of David's salvation during the rebellion.

Bonus section

The "young man" (na'ar) who spots the spies is nameless, typical of supporting characters whose role is to further the narrative, in this case, by precipitating the spies' escape and illustrating the immediate danger. The location of Bahurim holds symbolic weight beyond being a place of refuge; it was the site of Shimei's public cursing of David (2 Sam 16:5-13). That David's messengers find safety and help from one of the town's inhabitants, despite the area's prior association with hostility towards David, hints at the changing loyalties or at least the quiet resistance of some individuals to Absalom's usurpation, possibly even demonstrating a shift in sentiment towards David, or simply God's overarching protection of David's servants. The detail of the well underscores the practicality and common sense employed in survival, highlighting the spies' resourcefulness under duress, yet it is ultimately presented within the larger narrative of divine providence preserving David and his loyalists.

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