2 Samuel 17:21

WEB

It happened, 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 pass quickly over the water; for thus has Ahithophel counseled against you."

KJV

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.

Commentary

And it came to pass after they were departed,.... The servants of Absalom: that they came up out of the well; the sons of the priests, being informed by the woman t hat they were gone; Josephus (s) says they were drawn up by the woman with a rope: and went and told King David; who was now in the plain of the wilderness, perhaps near Jericho, and not a great way from Jordan, to whom they related the whole of their message: and said unto David; as they were directed: arise, and pass quickly over the water; the river Jordan: for thus hath Ahithophel counselled against you; to come with twelve thousand men, and fall upon him that very night; and it was not certain his counsel would be rejected; and therefore it was advisable for David to prepare against the worst. (s) Antiqu. l. 7. c. 9. sect. 7. Hudson. not. in ib.