Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Samuel 17:20
And when Absalom’s servants came to the woman to the house, they said, Where [is] Ahimaaz and Jonathan? And the woman said unto them, They be gone over the brook of water. And when they had sought and could not find [them], they returned to Jerusalem.
20. The brook of water ] The word Michal, translated brook, is found here only. It may have been some local name. The woman sent the pursuers off in the wrong direction, and then at once despatched Jonathan and Ahimaaz. Compare the deceit practised by Rahab (Jos 2:4 ff.), and by Michal (1Sa 19:12-17). As stated in the note on the latter passage, Holy Scripture affirms the universal duty of Truth without any exception (Lev 19:11), nor can it be understood to sanction breaches of this general law by recording them without express disapproval. See also note on ch. 2Sa 15:34. It is left to the casuist to discuss whether any necessity is sufficient to justify a falsehood or an act of deception. See Whewell’s Elements of Morality, Chaps. xv. xvi.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
As soon as ever she had hid the men she went into the house, as if busy about her usual occupations. Had Absaloms servants, who had had information from some of the people of Bahurim that the men had come to this house, found her in the court it might have directed their attention to the peeled barley.
Over the brook of water – Compare 2Sa 16:9 note. The word for brook (Michal) occurs only here. One has been found in this very district, still so called. The woman showed great presence of mind and adroitness in not denying that they had been there.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Over the brook of water, i.e. over Jordan. This was a manifest lie; but because it was spoken for no hurt, but good only, many persons in those times conceived such lies to be lawful. Compare Exo 1:19; Jos 2:4,5. But although God was pleased to overlook and pardon the sin, and graciously to reward the good intention which accompanied them; yet it is certain that all kinds of lies are moral evils, and condemned by plain scriptures, and that we must not do evil that good may come, nor tell a lie for Gods glory, Rom 3:7,8.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And when Absalom’s servants came to the woman to the house,…. Who were sent after then, had intelligence which way they took, and into what house they turned:
they said, where [are] Ahimaaz and Jonathan? calling them by their names, being persons well known, and as to them, so to the woman of the house, as they supposed:
and the woman said unto them, they be gone over the brook of water; the river Jordan; so the Targum,
“they have already passed over Jordan;”
this was a lie she told them, which is not to be justified; the Vulgate Latin version,
“they passed over hastily, having drank a little water;”
and so Josephus r in some copies:
and when they had sought and could not find [them]; not only searched that house, but very probably others in Bahurim:
they returned to Jerusalem; to give an account what success they had.
r Antiqu. l. 7. c. 9. sect. 7. Hudson. not. in ib.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
When Absalom’s servants came and asked for the priest’s sons, the woman said, They have gone over the little water-brook ( , . . ), and thus led them wrong, so that they did not find them.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
(20) The brook of water.This peculiar word for brook occurs only here, and is thought by some writers to be a proper name. A small brook bearing the same name, Michal, is said to exist now in this locality. On the deceit practised by the women, comp. Jos. 2:4-7; 1Sa. 19:12-17. The historian simply records without comment what was done.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
2Sa 17:20. They be gone over the brook of water They passed away quickly. Houbigant. According to Josephus and the Vulgate, the meaning is, that they just drank a little water and hasted forward. Note; (1.) The weakest instruments in God’s hand can answer the greatest purposes. (2.) A lie, though told to serve a good cause, ceases not therefore to be a bad thing.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
2Sa 17:20 And when Absalom’s servants came to the woman to the house, they said, Where [is] Ahimaaz and Jonathan? And the woman said unto them, They be gone over the brook of water. And when they had sought and could not find [them], they returned to Jerusalem.
Ver. 20. They be gone over the brook of water. ] Her hiding of them was ingenious – as women’s wits, they say, are best at a pinch; but her lie, though but officious, cannot be excused; for God could and would have wrought without it: nevertheless he is graciously pleased to lay the finger of mercy on the scars of such infirmities, where the bent and intent of the heart, for the main, is upright.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
said. Probably misdirecting them.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
They be gone: 2Sa 15:34, Exo 1:19, Jos 2:4, Jos 2:5, 1Sa 19:14-17, 1Sa 21:2, 1Sa 27:11, 1Sa 27:12
when they had sought: Jos 2:22, Jos 2:23
Reciprocal: Jdg 4:20 – Is there 1Sa 19:17 – And Michal 1Sa 27:10 – And David 1Ch 6:8 – Ahimaaz
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2Sa 17:20. When Absaloms servants Who were sent to pursue them; came to the woman to the house For some had informed them that Jonathan and Ahimaaz had turned that way. The woman said, They be gone over the brook According to Josephus, the woman told them; they made no stay at her house, but, after they had asked for a little water, made haste away: but, if they pursued them speedily, she believed they might overtake them. This, however, was a manifest lie; and, though spoken for no hurt, but good only; and though, as is probable, it was pardoned by God; yet was it certainly moral evil, as all kinds of lies are, and are condemned by plain passages of Scripture, which inform us we must not do evil that good may come, nor tell a lie for Gods glory, Rom 3:7-8.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
17:20 And when Absalom’s servants came to the woman to the house, they said, Where [is] Ahimaaz and Jonathan? And the woman said unto them, They be gone over the {i} brook of water. And when they had sought and could not find [them], they returned to Jerusalem.
(i) The Chaldee text reads: Now they have passed the Jordan.