2 Samuel 17:21

2Sa 17:21 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.

Ver. 21. For thus hath Ahithophel counselled against you.] And who can yet tell what course they will take, though for present my counsel be cried up for the better?

“ Plebs tantum constans in levitate sua est. ”

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

To wit, to pursue thee with all haste.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain. Text via Bolls.life.

Then David arose, and all the people that were with him, and passed over Jordan,.... Taking the advice of Hushai:

by the morning light there lacked not one of them that was not gone over Jordan; they travelled all night, and before it was morning they had all passed the river in boats, or through the fords, and not one was lost in the passage, nor any deserted, see Joh 17:12; and now perhaps David penned the forty second and forty third psalms, Psa 42:1.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Vers. 21, 22.

David"s escape across the Jordan.

they passed over Jordan," etc. (ver. 22). Leaving Bahurim behind them, David and his company pursued their rough and dreary way along the wilderness of Judah until they descended into the plain of the Jordan; and there in some place (Ayephim, equivalent to "weary," Authorized Version; "The Traveller"s Rest") at an easy distance from the ford of the river (opposite Jericho, and near Gilgal, (2Sa_19:15) they rested at nightfall. "Amongst the thickets of the Jordan the asses of Ziba were unladen, and the weary travellers refreshed themselves, and waited for tidings from Jerusalem". (2Sa_15:28, 36 16:14; ver. 16) David had been uncertain whether to cross the river; but during the night the messengers arrived, saying, "Arise," etc.; the encampment was broken up, and "by the morning light there lacked not one of them that was not gone over Jordan." That night was another, memorable one. (1Sa_19:8-18) "It has been conjectured, with much probability that as the first sleep of that evening was commemorated in the fourth psalm, so in the third is expressed the feeling of David"s thankfulness at the final close of those twenty-four hours, of which every detail has been handed down, as if with the consciousness of their importance at the time" (Stanley). Psalm 4. "An Even-song

In peace will I lay me down and straightway sleep; For thou, Jehovah, alone wilt make me to dwell securely. (Psa_4:8)

Psalm 3. (see inscription), "A Morning Prayer

I laid me down and slept; I awaked, for Jehovah sustaineth me. (Psa_3:5)

What a brilliant light do these psalms cast upon the inner life of David! Consider him at this time as

I BESET BY FEROCIOUS FOES; numerous, powerful, and crafty; (2Sa_15:12, 13 16:15; vers. 1-3) seeking to take away his crown, his honour, and his life; by fraud, treachery, and violence. His trouble represents that of the persecuted and afflicted servant of God in every age.

1. The feeling of trouble is usually intensified with the approach of night,the season of peril and emblem of distress.

2. The good man in trouble seeks relief in God; (Psa_121:4) whilst acknowledging his sins, he is conscious of sincerity, trusts in Divine mercy, and derives from his experience of former mercies an argument for his prayer.

3. He regards his adversaries in no vindictive spirit: and, although hedesires their overthrow as the enemies of God, still more he desires their conversion. "The address is directed to the aristocratic party, whose tool Absalom had become" (Delitzsch).

When I cry, answer me, O God of my righteousness, Who hast made room for me in straitness; Be merciful unto me, and hear my prayer! Ye sons of men! how long shall my glory become shame? How long will ye love vanity, will ye seek after lies?" etc. (Psa_4:1-5)

II AIDED BY FAITHFUL FRIENDS, who sympathize with him, strive to defeat his enemies, give him useful counsel, and share his dangers. (2Sa_15:15, 2Sa_15:21, 2Sa_15:23; vers. 7, 15, 17)

1. A time of adversity tests the fidelity of friends; and manifests it, as thenight brings out the stars that were unseen by day.

2. It also makes their aid peculiarly precious; and is a sign of the favour ofthe Eternal Friend.

3. When friends begin to despond in a time of trouble, it is the part of agood man, "strong in faith," to encourage them, by directing their thoughts to the Divine Source of consolation, his own "exceeding joy.

Many say, Who will show us good? Lift up the light of thy countenance upon us, O Jehovah! Thou hast put gladness into my heart More than when their corn and wine abound," etc. (Psa_4:6-8)

III DELIVERED BY DIVINE FAVOUR; shown in his preservation, the salutary warning received during the night, the safe passage of the Jordan, so that "by the morning light," etc. (ver. 22), and the complete defeat of Ahithophel"s counsel (vers. 14).

1. In their hostility to the good, wicked men rely on their own wisdom andstrength alone, ignoring God; but "the Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly," etc.. (2Pe_2:9)

2. Often when a good man is despised as one abandoned of God, he istaken into closer fellowship with him and more signally protected and delivered.

3. In the morning light of every day he perceives fresh tokens of Divinefavour. Whilst God "giveth songs in the night", (Job_35:10) "his mercies are new every morning". (Lam_3:23 Psa 5:30:5 Psa_143:8)

Jehovah, how many are mine adversaries! Many rise up against me, Many say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. But thou, Jehovah, art a Shield about me, My Glory and the Lifter-up of my head. I cry to Jehovah with my voice, And he answereth me from his holy mountain," etc. (Psa_3:1-6)

IV INCITED TO VICTORIOUS CONFIDENCE; by the contemplation of what God is to him and has done for him; (Gen_15:1) as, having now escaped his most immediate peril, he travels on "by the morning light" toward Mahanaim (ver. 24). Troubles do not always "pass away with light." Enemies still threaten, (Psa_3:1) and with each returning day the servant of God has to begin the conflict afresh. (2Sa_5:22, 2Sa_5:23) But:

1. Even when most formidable, they do not terrify him whose hope is inJehovah.

2. They are regarded as if already overthrown.

3. And to Jehovah alone is the victory ascribed.

I will not be afraid of ten thousands of the people Who have set themselves against me round about. Arise, O Jehovah! Help me, O my God! For thou smitest all mine enemies on the cheek, Thou breakest the teeth of the ungodly. To Jehovah belongeth the victory! Upon thy people be thy blessing! (Psa 3:7-9)

To the period of David"s exile beyond Jordan have been also referred many other psalms: Ps 61 Ps 62 Ps 63. (see inscription), 143. (Septuagint, "when his son pursued him"), 26., 27., 28., etc. "A man who can, like David, amidst the first mutterings of an unexpected storm display such lofty composure and submission, and then amidst its fiercest outbursts sing hymns like the third and fourth psalms, penetrated with the purest trust in God, is already raised in an eminent degree above human weakness and frailty, and, whatever be his outward fate, he can only quit this life as one of God"s victors" (Ewald). D.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

When they had gone away, the priest's sons came up out of the well and brought David the news, saying, "Go quickly over the water, for thus hath Ahithophel counselled against you;" whereupon David and all the people with him went hastily over the Jordan. "Till the morning dawn not one was missed who had not gone over." אחד עד, lit. even to one there was not any one missed.

Keil & Delitzsch — Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament (1861–1891) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API. (Old Testament only.)

It came about

"It happened." This phrase marks the next event in the story line. (See: Introduction of a New Event)

cross quickly over the water

Here "the water" refers to the Jordan River. AT: "cross quickly over the river" (See: Metonymy)

has given such and such advice

The idiom "such and such" is used in the place of information that is already know by the reader. Here it refers to what Ahithophel advised Absalom in 2 Samuel 17:1-3. This information can be stated clearly. AT: "has advised that Absalom send him with an army to attack you now" (See: Idiom and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

By morning daylight not one of them had failed to cross over the Jordan

This negative sentence is used to emphasize that they all crossed the river. It can be stated in a positive form. AT: "By morning daylight every one of them had crossed over the Jordan" (See: Litotes)

translationWords

cistern

David

water

Jordan River

unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.