What is the meaning of 2 Samuel 17:20? When Absalom’s servants came to the woman at the house • The narrative places us in Bahurim, where a quick-thinking unnamed woman becomes God’s instrument of protection for David’s loyal messengers (2 Samuel 17:17–18). • Absalom’s men arrive with urgency, convinced they will crush David’s resistance. God, however, repeatedly frustrates their plans (compare 2 Samuel 15:31; Psalm 33:10–11). • Similar scenes appear elsewhere, such as when Rahab hid the Israelite spies in Jericho (Joshua 2:1–6) and when Jehosheba sheltered young Joash from Athaliah’s purge (2 Kings 11:1–3). Each account testifies to the Lord’s faithfulness in preserving His chosen line and purposes. They asked, “Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?” • Ahimaaz (Zadok’s son) and Jonathan (Abiathar’s son) carried vital intelligence for David (2 Samuel 15:27, 36). Their capture would have meant death for them and disaster for the king. • The question shows Absalom’s forces actively hunting anyone loyal to David, echoing Saul’s pursuit of David years earlier (1 Samuel 23:14–15). • Scripture never frames these messengers as mere pawns; their courageous obedience reflects Proverbs 20:6: “Many a man proclaims his own loyalty, but who can find a trustworthy man?” “They have crossed over the brook,” she replied • The woman’s statement is deliberately vague yet technically possible—there were several small wadis in the area. Like Rahab’s words to Jericho’s soldiers (Joshua 2:4–5), she diverts danger away from God’s servants. • While Scripture condemns lying generally (Exodus 20:16), it also records occasions where God overrules deception to preserve life, as with the Hebrew midwives (Exodus 1:15–21) or Michal’s ruse to save David (1 Samuel 19:11–17). The text simply reports what happened; it does not endorse falsehood as a routine practice but highlights the Lord’s sovereign use of flawed people. • The brook motif recalls earlier moments of deliverance: Elijah by the Brook Kerith (1 Kings 17:2–6) and David himself crossing the Kidron when fleeing Absalom (2 Samuel 15:23). The men searched but did not find them • Human effort, no matter how determined, cannot overturn God’s counsel (Job 42:2; Isaiah 14:27). • Hidden in a well with a covering of grain (2 Samuel 17:19), Ahimaaz and Jonathan mirror Moses hidden among reeds (Exodus 2:3) and Jeremiah in a cistern later rescued (Jeremiah 38:6–13). • The search’s failure underlines Proverbs 21:30: “There is no wisdom, no understanding, and no counsel against the LORD.” So they returned to Jerusalem • Absalom’s servants go back empty-handed, leaving the path clear for David to receive the message and cross the Jordan that very night (2 Samuel 17:21–22). • Their retreat foreshadows Absalom’s ultimate defeat (2 Samuel 18:6–15). Just as Hushai’s counsel earlier frustrated Ahithophel’s (2 Samuel 17:14), the inability to locate the spies further unravels the rebellion. • This return without victory parallels other aborted pursuits: Pharaoh’s army turning back after Israel’s escape (Exodus 14:24–25) and Herod’s soldiers missing the infant Jesus (Matthew 2:13–16). God consistently shields His redemptive line. summary 2 Samuel 17:20 records a real historical moment in which God safeguarded David’s loyal messengers through the courageous intervention of an unnamed woman. Each clause shows divine providence overruling human schemes—Absalom’s servants arrive, inquire, receive a misleading but protective answer, fail in their search, and retreat. The verse teaches that when God purposes to preserve His kingdom plan, no enemy pursuit can prevail. |
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