2 Samuel 17 19

2 Samuel 17:19

ESV: And the woman took and spread a covering over the well's mouth and scattered grain on it, and nothing was known of it.

KJV: And the woman took and spread a covering over the well's mouth, and spread ground corn thereon; and the thing was not known.

NIV: His wife took a covering and spread it out over the opening of the well and scattered grain over it. No one knew anything about it.

NKJV: Then the woman took and spread a covering over the well's mouth, and spread ground grain on it; and the thing was not known.

NLT: The man's wife put a cloth over the top of the well and scattered grain on it to dry in the sun; so no one suspected they were there.

Meaning

The verse describes the ingenious and quick-witted action of a woman from Bahurim who effectively concealed Jonathan and Ahimaaz, King David's messengers, from Absalom's pursuing servants. She utilized the mundane setting of her courtyard to camouflage their hiding place inside a well, demonstrating a critical act of loyalty and aid that was instrumental in warning David and saving his life from Absalom's forces.

Cross References

Context

Chapter 17 of 2 Samuel details the crucial moment in Absalom's rebellion where his forces were pursuing David. After Ahithophel's deadly counsel to pursue David immediately was countered by Hushai's deceptive counsel (inspired by divine intervention), two key messengers, Jonathan and Ahimaaz, were dispatched to warn David. Their mission was vital as David's life depended on their swift and hidden communication. Verse 19 highlights the point when these messengers were in immediate danger of being captured by Absalom's pursuing servants, setting the scene for the extraordinary intervention of an unnamed woman.

Word analysis

• And the woman: The unnamed nature of the woman from Bahurim emphasizes that God uses all manner of people, even those without prominent titles, to accomplish His will (cf. Ex 1, Rahab). Her anonymity paradoxically highlights her crucial role; her loyalty to David and divine providence were paramount, not her identity.
• took: Hebrew: וַתִּקַּח (va-tikaḥ) - This verb implies an intentional, decisive act. She did not merely witness but actively engaged in hiding the messengers, demonstrating quick thinking and resolve.
• and spread: Hebrew: וַתִּפְרֹשׂ (va-tifros) - Implies a covering or stretching out over something. It suggests a thorough and effective concealment.
• a covering: Hebrew: הַמָּסָךְ (ha-massakh) - This refers to a screen, veil, or specifically, a blanket or spread. Its use here indicates something readily available and seemingly innocuous. The mundane nature of this object, often found in a household for warmth or privacy, allowed it to serve as a perfect camouflage for an extraordinary act of subterfuge.
• over the well’s mouth: Hebrew: פִּי הַבְּאֵר (pi ha-b’e'r) - "Mouth of the well" is a common Hebrew idiom for the opening or top edge. Wells were vital resources and common features in ancient Near Eastern settlements. This location provides both concealment and natural integration into the surroundings, making the presence of a covering less suspicious.
• and scattered: Hebrew: וַתִּזֶּר (va-tizzer) - To scatter or sprinkle, often referring to scattering seed or grain. This verb suggests an everyday agricultural or domestic activity, further aiding the deception.
• ground grain: Hebrew: רִפּוֹת דָּגָן (rippot dagan) - Literally "parched grain" or "crushed grain/corn." This was a staple food and its processing (like drying or crushing) would be a common household activity, especially in an agricultural setting. Spreading it to dry or clean would be an utterly normal sight, deflecting suspicion from the covered well.
• thereon: This refers back to the covering she spread over the well. The visual of grain drying on a blanket over a well transformed an urgent hiding place into a scene of ordinary domesticity.

Words-group analysis:

• "And the woman took...and spread...a covering over the well’s mouth": This phrase details the strategic immediate action. The rapid sequence of actions highlights her agility and resourcefulness in a crisis. The use of a simple "covering" over a "well’s mouth" is an ancient everyday context repurposed for a life-or-death situation.
• "and scattered ground grain thereon": This crucial detail solidifies the deception. It transformed the covered well from a potentially suspicious sight into an innocuous, even common, household scene. It showcases ingenuity by employing everyday activities for extraordinary purposes. This blends the unusual into the common, preventing the pursuers from seeing the danger, symbolizing how God's divine hand can orchestrate events through subtle, ordinary human actions.

Commentary

2 Samuel 17:19 powerfully illustrates how divine providence operates through human agency, even in deceptive acts that are not morally condemned in such contexts within the Old Testament narrative. The anonymous woman of Bahurim is a testament to extraordinary courage and resourcefulness under pressure. Her quick, clever action – transforming a vital hiding place into an unassuming scene of domesticity – was pivotal. By spreading a blanket and scattering grain over the well where Jonathan and Ahimaaz were concealed, she created a convincing facade, effectively misleading Absalom's pursuing servants. This small, uncelebrated act was not accidental; it was integral to the unfolding of God's plan for David's preservation and the eventual restoration of his kingdom, demonstrating that God can use the most humble and unexpected means, often through ordinary individuals performing ordinary tasks, to achieve His grand purposes. This underscores that faith can inspire ingenuity in serving God's appointed purposes.

Bonus section

The narrative consistently highlights the strategic use of wisdom and discretion for survival and accomplishing God's will within its historical context. This woman's actions echo themes seen elsewhere in Scripture where individuals, often women, employ wit or even a degree of deception (e.g., Rahab, the midwives in Egypt, Rebekah in the Jacob narrative) to achieve outcomes aligned with divine purposes. Her role, though unnamed, represents an intersection of human initiative and divine orchestration; the wisdom she demonstrates is a form of "fear of the Lord" applied practically in a crisis, showcasing a belief that God guides and enables even in the face of immense danger. The very commonality of her tools—a covering and grain—underscores that divine intervention often appears within the mundane fabric of everyday life, rather than solely through grand miracles.

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