What number verse is 2 Samuel 17:17 in the Bible?

2 Samuel 17:17 is the 8,467th verse of the Bible. Counting straight through the King James canon — all 31,102 verses from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21 — 2 Samuel 17:17 sits at position 8,467.

Translation

King James Version

Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz stayed by Enrogel; for they might not be seen to come into the city: and a wench went and told them; and they went and told king David.

Ask

KJV (with Strong's)

Now Jonathan ^H3083 and Ahimaaz ^H290 stayed ^H5975 by Enrogel ^H5883; for they might ^H3201 not be seen ^H7200 to come ^H935 into the city ^H5892: and a wench ^H8198 went ^H1980 and told ^H5046 them; and they went ^H3212 and told ^H5046 king ^H4428 David ^H1732.

Ask

Complete Jewish Bible

Y'honatan and Achima'atz were staying at 'Ein-Rogel; a female servant was to go and tell them, and they in turn were to go and tell King David - for it would not do to have them seen entering the city.

Ask

Berean Standard Bible

Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz were staying at En-rogel, where a servant girl would come and pass along information to them. They in turn would go and inform King David, for they dared not be seen entering the city.

Ask

American Standard Version

Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz were staying by En-rogel; and a maid-servant used to go and tell them; and they went and told king David: for they might not be seen to come into the city.

Ask

World English Bible Messianic

Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz were staying by En Rogel; and a female servant used to go and tell them; and they went and told king David. For they might not be seen to come into the city.

Ask

Geneva Bible (1599)

Now Ionathan and Ahimaaz abode by En-rogel: (for they might not be seene to come into the citie) and a maid went, and tolde them, and they went and shewed King Dauid.

Ask

Young's Literal Translation

And Jonathan and Ahimaaz are standing at En-Rogel, and the maid-servant hath gone and declared to them--and they go and have declared it to king David--for they are not able to be seen to go in to the city.

Ask

Study This Verse

SUMMARY

This verse encapsulates a critical juncture in Absalom's rebellion, detailing the perilous and divinely orchestrated relay of life-saving intelligence to King David. It vividly portrays the courage and strategic actions of David's loyal network—Jonathan, Ahimaaz, and an unnamed maidservant—whose timely and secretive communication ensured the king's escape from immediate capture, underscoring the intricate interplay of human faithfulness and divine providence in preserving David's life and the future of his kingdom.

CONTEXT

Literary Context: This verse is strategically positioned at the climax of the intelligence war between David and Absalom, immediately following the crucial counsel given to Absalom. In 2 Samuel 17:1-14, Absalom's trusted advisor, Ahithophel, proposed an immediate and devastating pursuit of David, which would have almost certainly led to David's demise. However, David's loyal spy, Hushai the Archite, successfully countered this deadly advice with a more elaborate and time-consuming plan, a maneuver explicitly stated in 2 Samuel 17:14 to be divinely orchestrated for David's protection. Verse 2 Samuel 17:15 immediately precedes our verse, depicting Hushai sending his urgent message to the priests Zadok and Abiathar, whose sons, Jonathan and Ahimaaz, are the direct recipients of the message in 2 Samuel 17:17. The successful delivery of this intelligence directly precipitates David's urgent flight across the Jordan River, as detailed in 2 Samuel 17:21-22, thereby securing his safety and paving the way for his eventual restoration to the throne.
Historical & Cultural Context: Absalom's rebellion, which began in 2 Samuel 15, had forced King David to flee Jerusalem, leaving the capital under Absalom's control. This created an extraordinarily volatile and dangerous environment for anyone associated with David, making open communication impossible. Enrogel, a prominent spring or well located just southeast of Jerusalem's walls at the confluence of the Kidron and Hinnom Valleys, served as a well-known landmark and a strategic, albeit risky, clandestine meeting point. In ancient Near Eastern warfare and political upheavals, intelligence gathering and swift, secretive communication were paramount for survival. Messengers often faced grave danger, and the use of seemingly inconspicuous individuals, such as women or servants, was a common and effective tactic to avoid detection by enemy forces. The narrative powerfully underscores the high stakes of this period, where David's life and the very future of his divinely appointed kingdom hung precariously in the balance.
Key Themes: This verse profoundly contributes to several overarching themes woven throughout the book of Samuel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it unmistakably highlights Divine Providence and Sovereignty, illustrating how God actively intervenes in human affairs, using seemingly ordinary people and circumstances to achieve His purposes and protect His anointed king. The acceptance of Hushai's counsel over Ahithophel's is explicitly attributed to God's will in 2 Samuel 17:14, setting the stage for the events of our verse. Secondly, the verse powerfully showcases profound Loyalty and Courage in the face of treachery and immense personal risk. Jonathan and Ahimaaz, sons of the high priests, exhibit immense bravery by risking their lives as messengers for David, embodying unwavering commitment to their king even when his cause appeared lost. The unnamed "wench" (maidservant) further exemplifies this theme, acting with remarkable courage and quick thinking in a perilous situation. Thirdly, the passage emphasizes the Critical Role of Intelligence and Communication in times of crisis. David's survival hinges entirely on the efficient, accurate, and secretive transmission of Hushai's intelligence, illustrating how timely and secure information can be a matter of life and death, a theme echoed in other biblical accounts of strategic communication, such as in Joshua 2. Finally, the narrative subtly introduces the theme of Hidden Heroes and Unexpected Instruments, as the maidservant, a person of humble status, plays an absolutely vital and decisive role in the unfolding events, demonstrating God's consistent pattern of using the overlooked to fulfill His grand purposes, a pattern seen throughout the biblical narrative, from Moses's mother to the boy with the loaves and fish.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

stayed (Hebrew, ʿâmad, H5975): This verb signifies "to stand," "to remain," or "to abide." In this context, it conveys a deliberate, fixed waiting, implying a pre-arranged and patient posture. Jonathan and Ahimaaz were not merely passing by; they were positioned at Enrogel with a specific purpose, enduring the tension and danger of their hidden vigil. The word emphasizes their commitment to their post and the critical nature of their mission, requiring them to "stand firm" in their assigned role.
Enrogel (Hebrew, ʿÊyn Rôgêl, H5883): Meaning "Fountain of the Fuller" or "Spring of the Foot," Enrogel was a well-known spring and landmark located just southeast of Jerusalem, at the confluence of the Kidron and Hinnom Valleys. Its strategic location outside the city walls made it a suitable, albeit risky, clandestine meeting point for those who wished to avoid detection within the city. For Jonathan and Ahimaaz, it was a necessary hiding place from which they could receive the crucial message without being seen by Absalom's loyalists. The name itself, potentially linked to "foot" or "traveler," subtly hints at its use as a transit point.
wench (Hebrew, shiphchâh, H8198): The King James Version's translation "wench" might carry a derogatory connotation in modern English, but in 17th-century English, it simply referred to a "young woman" or "maidservant." The original Hebrew word, shiphchâh, is a neutral term for a female slave or servant, often a member of the household. Her role in this narrative is far from insignificant; she is the courageous and quick-thinking individual who, despite the danger, delivers the critical intelligence to David's waiting messengers, highlighting that God often uses the seemingly insignificant to accomplish great things.

Verse Breakdown

"Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz stayed by Enrogel;": Jonathan, the son of Abiathar, and Ahimaaz, the son of Zadok, were the designated couriers for Hushai's urgent message to King David. As sons of the high priests, they were trusted by David and had access to crucial intelligence channels. Their position "by Enrogel" indicates a pre-arranged, discreet waiting location outside the city walls, chosen specifically to avoid being seen entering or leaving Jerusalem, which was now under Absalom's hostile control. Their patient "staying" underscores the tension and anticipation of their critical mission.
"for they might not be seen to come into the city:": This clause explicitly states the paramount reason for their clandestine location and the method of relay. The danger of being discovered by Absalom's forces was immense; their capture would have jeopardized David's life and the entire counter-intelligence operation. This highlights the high stakes, the necessity of absolute secrecy, and the careful planning involved in this desperate situation to protect the king.
"and a wench went and told them;": This is the pivotal action of the verse, demonstrating the ingenious and courageous execution of the intelligence relay. Due to the extreme danger for Jonathan and Ahimaaz, a young maidservant from within the city was dispatched to relay the message that Hushai had given to the priests. Her willingness to undertake this perilous task, crossing potentially hostile territory within the city to reach the hidden messengers, demonstrates remarkable courage and loyalty. Her anonymous yet decisive role highlights that crucial contributions can come from unexpected sources, often from those in humble or overlooked positions, serving as a testament to God's ability to use anyone for His purposes.
"and they went and told king David.": This final clause confirms the successful completion of the vital intelligence relay. Upon receiving the urgent message from the maidservant, Jonathan and Ahimaaz immediately proceeded to deliver it to King David. This swift and successful transmission of information was instrumental in allowing David to take the necessary evasive action, ensuring his survival and setting the stage for the eventual turning of the tide against Absalom's rebellion. It represents the culmination of a divinely orchestrated plan to preserve David's life and kingship.

Literary Devices

The narrative of 2 Samuel 17:17 is rich with literary techniques that heighten its impact and underscore its theological significance. Narrative Tension is palpable throughout the passage, as the reader is acutely aware of the life-or-death stakes involved in the delivery of Hushai's message. The very act of Jonathan and Ahimaaz hiding by Enrogel, "for they might not be seen," immediately establishes a sense of imminent danger and the urgent need for secrecy, creating a suspenseful atmosphere. The introduction of the "wench" serves as a powerful example of Understatement or Irony, as a seemingly minor and unnamed character, a humble maidservant, becomes the crucial and decisive link in a chain of events that will determine the fate of a king and an entire kingdom. Her courageous and quick action provides a subtle but profound example of Heroism, demonstrating that significant contributions can come from unexpected and humble sources, a recurring motif in biblical literature. The entire sequence, from Hushai's counter-counsel to the maidservant's relay and David's subsequent escape, also functions as a powerful illustration of Divine Providence woven seamlessly into the human narrative, where seemingly coincidental or human-initiated events are revealed to be part of God's overarching plan to protect His anointed and fulfill His purposes.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

This verse powerfully illustrates God's active and intricate involvement in human history, often working through humble and unexpected means to achieve His divine purposes. The entire chain of events, from Hushai's divinely inspired counsel being accepted over Ahithophel's (2 Samuel 17:14) to the timely and courageous actions of the maidservant and the messengers, underscores the profound theme of divine providence. It reminds us that God is sovereign over all circumstances, even in the midst of chaos, rebellion, and seemingly insurmountable odds, and that He can use anyone, regardless of their status or perceived importance, to accomplish His will. The unwavering loyalty and remarkable courage displayed by David's supporters also serve as a powerful testament to faithfulness in adversity, a theme that resonates throughout biblical history and points to the enduring power of steadfast devotion to God's anointed.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

This passage serves as a profound reminder that God often works through ordinary people and seemingly small acts to accomplish His grand purposes. The maidservant's action, though brief and easily overlooked in the broader narrative, was absolutely instrumental in saving David's life and, by extension, preserving the Davidic line through which the Messiah would eventually come. This encourages believers to embrace faithfulness in their daily tasks, no matter how minor or insignificant they may seem in the grand scheme of things, recognizing that they might be part of a larger, divinely orchestrated plan. It calls us to cultivate a spirit of courage and loyalty in our service to God and others, even when circumstances are challenging or dangerous, trusting that our obedience, however small, can have eternal ramifications. Furthermore, it highlights the enduring value of trustworthy communication and the necessity of relying on God's protection during times of adversity, knowing that He is our ultimate refuge and deliverer, orchestrating events for our good and His glory, even when we cannot perceive His hand.

Questions for Reflection

How does this account challenge our perception of what constitutes "important" or "heroic" work in God's kingdom, particularly through the example of the unnamed maidservant?
In what "small" or seemingly insignificant ways might God be calling you to act faithfully today, trusting that He can use your obedience for His greater purposes, even if the outcome is unseen by you?
What does the courage of the maidservant, Jonathan, and Ahimaaz teach us about responding to difficult or dangerous situations with faith and unwavering loyalty?
How can we better discern God's providential hand at work in our own lives, even amidst chaos, uncertainty, or apparent setbacks?

FAQ

Who were Jonathan and Ahimaaz, and why were they chosen for this mission?

Answer: Jonathan and Ahimaaz were the sons of the high priests Abiathar and Zadok, respectively. They were chosen for this mission due to their unwavering loyalty to King David and their privileged access to information through their fathers, who remained in Jerusalem as David's trusted agents. As trusted individuals within David's inner circle and with connections to the religious establishment, they were ideal for relaying the critical intelligence from Hushai to David while avoiding suspicion. Their priestly lineage also lent a certain authority and trust to their mission, though their primary qualification here was their steadfast faithfulness to David in a time of great peril.

What was Enrogel, and why was it a significant location in this narrative?

Answer: Enrogel was a well-known spring or well located just outside the walls of Jerusalem, in the Kidron Valley, a prominent landmark in the area. It was a significant location in this narrative because its position outside the city made it a strategic and relatively discreet hiding spot for Jonathan and Ahimaaz. They could wait there, away from the watchful eyes of Absalom's forces within the city, making it a crucial point for the clandestine transfer of the life-saving message to David. Its function as a meeting point for those who needed to avoid detection within the city walls was key to the success of this vital intelligence operation.

Why is the "wench" (maidservant) so important to this story, despite being unnamed?

Answer: The unnamed "wench" or maidservant is critically important because she served as the direct, indispensable link in the chain of communication that ultimately saved King David's life. Jonathan and Ahimaaz could not risk entering the city themselves without being seen, so a trusted individual from within Jerusalem was needed to carry the message to them. Her willingness to undertake this dangerous task, crossing potentially hostile territory to deliver vital intelligence, highlights her remarkable courage, quick thinking, and loyalty. Her anonymous yet decisive role underscores the biblical theme that God often uses the humble, the overlooked, or the seemingly insignificant to accomplish His greatest purposes, demonstrating that every act of faithfulness, no matter how small, can have profound and far-reaching consequences in His divine plan, as seen in 1 Corinthians 1:27-29.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

The dramatic deliverance of King David in 2 Samuel 17:17 through a network of loyal, courageous, and even unexpected individuals, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. David, as God's anointed king and a type of the coming Messiah, was providentially protected to ensure the continuation of the messianic line, a lineage that would culminate in the birth of the true King, Jesus. Just as David was preserved from the treachery of Absalom and the immediate threat of death, so too was Christ, the Son of David, preserved through His earthly ministry to accomplish His redemptive work on the cross, ultimately triumphing over sin and death. The "hidden" work of God, orchestrating events through a humble maidservant and loyal messengers to save David, foreshadows the deeper, hidden wisdom of God revealed in Christ's seemingly humble incarnation and sacrificial death, which appeared as weakness to the world but was in fact God's ultimate power for salvation (1 Corinthians 1:25). The loyal messengers, Jonathan and Ahimaaz, risking their lives for their king, prefigure the apostles and all believers who, as messengers of the Gospel, faithfully proclaim the life-saving message of Christ to a world in rebellion against its true King (Romans 10:15). Ultimately, David's escape from death and his eventual restoration to his throne foreshadow the resurrection and glorious reign of Jesus, who, having suffered and died for the sins of humanity, was raised to sit at the right hand of God, securing eternal deliverance and an everlasting kingdom for all who believe (Hebrews 1:3).

Copy as

Commentary on 2 Samuel 17 verses 15–21

15 ¶ Then said Hushai unto Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, Thus and thus did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the elders of Israel; and thus and thus have I counselled.

16 Now therefore send quickly, and tell David, saying, Lodge not this night in the plains of the wilderness, but speedily pass over; lest the king be swallowed up, and all the people that are with him.

17 Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz stayed by Enrogel; for they might not be seen to come into the city: and a wench went and told them; and they went and told king David.

18 Nevertheless a lad saw them, and told Absalom: but they went both of them away quickly, and came to a man's house in Bahurim, which had a well in his court; whither they went down.

19 And the woman took and spread a covering over the well's mouth, and spread ground corn thereon; and the thing was not known.

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.

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.

We must now leave David's enemies pleasing themselves with the thoughts of a sure victory by following Hushai's counsel, and sending a summons, no doubt, to all the tribes of Israel, to come to the general rendezvous at a place appointed, pursuant to that counsel; and we next find David's friends consulting how to get him notice of all this, that he might steer his course accordingly. Hushai tells the priests what had passed in council, Sa2 17:15. But, it should seem, he was not sure but that yet Ahithophel's counsel might be followed, and was therefore jealous lest, if he made not the best of his way, the king would be swallowed up, and all the people that were with him, Sa2 17:16. Perhaps, as he was called in to give advice (Sa2 17:5), so he was dismissed before they came to that resolve (Sa2 17:14) in favour of his advice, or he feared they might afterwards change their mind. However, it was good to provide against the worst, and therefore to hasten those valuable lives out of the reach of these destroyers. Such strict guards did Absalom set upon all the avenues to Jerusalem that they had much ado to get this necessary intelligence to David. 1. The young priests that were to be the messengers were forced to retire secretly out of the city, by En-rogel, which signifies, as some say, the fountain of a spy. Surely it went ill with Jerusalem when two such faithful priests as they were might not be seen to come into the city. 2. Instructions were sent to them by a poor simple young woman, who probably went to that well under pretence of fetching water, Sa2 17:17. If she carried the message by word of mouth, there was danger of her making some mistake or blunder in it; but Providence can make an ignorant girl a trusty messenger, and serve its wise counsels by the foolish things of the world. 3. Yet, by the vigilance of Absalom's spies, they were discovered, and information was brought to Absalom of their motions: A lad saw them and told him, Sa2 17:18. 4. They, being aware that they were discovered, sheltered themselves in a friend's house in Bahurim, where David had refreshed himself but just before, Sa2 16:14. There they were happily hidden in a well, which now, in summer time, perhaps was dry, Sa2 17:18. The woman of the house very ingeniously covered the mouth of the well with a cloth, on which she spread corn to dry, so that the pursuers were not aware that there was a well; else they would have searched it, Sa2 17:19. Thus far the woman did well; but we know not how to justify her further concealing them with a lie, Sa2 17:20. We must not do evil that good may come of it. However, hereby the messengers were protected, and the pursuers were defeated and returned to Absalom without their prey. It was well that Absalom did not hereupon fall upon their two fathers, Zadok and Abiathar, as Saul on Ahimelech for his kindness to David: but God restrained him. Being thus preserved, they brought their intelligence very faithfully to David (Sa2 17:21), with this advice of his friends, that he should not delay to pass over Jordan, near to which, it seems, he now was. There, as some think, he penned the 42nd and 43rd Psalms, looking back upon Jerusalem from the land of Jordan, Psa 42:6.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 15–21. Public domain.

Copy as

Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.

Copy as

Continue studying 2 Samuel 17:17 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.

Read & Compare

Commentaries

Original Language & Research

Sermons, Hymns & Audio

TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.

Cross-References

2 Samuel 15:36
Behold, they have there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz Zadok's son, and Jonathan Abiathar's son; and by them ye shall send unto me every thing that ye can hear.
2 Samuel 15:27
The king said also unto Zadok the priest, Art not thou a seer? return into the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz thy son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar.
Joshua 15:7
And the border went up toward Debir from the valley of Achor, and so northward, looking toward Gilgal, that is before the going up to Adummim, which is on the south side of the river: and the border passed toward the waters of Enshemesh, and the goings out thereof were at Enrogel:
Joshua 18:16
And the border came down to the end of the mountain that lieth before the valley of the son of Hinnom, and which is in the valley of the giants on the north, and descended to the valley of Hinnom, to the side of Jebusi on the south, and descended to Enrogel,
1 Kings 1:9
And Adonijah slew sheep and oxen and fat cattle by the stone of Zoheleth, which is by Enrogel, and called all his brethren the king's sons, and all the men of Judah the king's servants:
Joshua 2:4
And the woman took the two men, and hid them, and said thus, There came men unto me, but I wist not whence they were:
Joshua 2:24
And they said unto Joshua, Truly the LORD hath delivered into our hands all the land; for even all the inhabitants of the country do faint because of us.