Hushai Warns David to Escape

II Samuel 17:15–29
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Having given Absalom advice, that if implemented would turn out well for David, Hushai now informs the priests Zadok and Abiathar who in turn through their sons Ahimaaz and Jonathan got  a warning to David to cross the river so he and his people won’t be wiped out (vv. 15-16). A servant girl gave the message to David, but a young man saw what happened and went to tell Absalom. Being fearful of being discovered Ahimaaz and Jonathan hide in a well in Bahurim (vv. 17-18). The owners wife put the cover on the well and poured grain on top so it couldn’t be seen (v. 19). Absalom’s soldiers came to look for them, but when they couldn’t find them they went back to Jerusalem (v. 20). After they had gone, Ahimaaz and Jonathan climbed out of the well, found David, and told him to cross the river and by sunrise they were all on the other side (vv. 21-22).
When Ahithophel saw that Absalom and the leaders were not going to follow his advice he went back to his home in Gilo and hanged himself (v. 23). Thanks to Hushai, David was able to make his headquarters in the fortified city of Manhanaim while Absalom and his army crossed the Jordan (v. 24). Absalom put Amasa in Joab’s place as commander of the army while the Israelites under his command set up camp in the region of Gilead (vv. 25-26). Because of influential friends back in Manhanaim David was able to face the forthcoming battle with confidence (vv. 27-29).

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