2 Samuel 17:19

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And the woman {H802} took {H3947} and spread {H6566} a covering {H4539} over the well's {H875} mouth {H6440}, and spread {H7849} ground corn {H7383} thereon; and the thing {H1697} was not known {H3045}.

Complete Jewish Bible

His wife spread a covering over the cistern's opening and scattered drying grain on it, so that nothing showed.

Berean Standard Bible

Then the man’s wife took a covering and spread it over the mouth of the well, scattering grain over it so nobody would know a thing.

American Standard Version

And the woman took and spread the covering over the well’s mouth, and strewed bruised grain thereon; and nothing was known.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In a moment of dire peril during Absalom's rebellion against King David, 2 Samuel 17:19 recounts the swift and ingenious action of an unnamed woman in Bahurim. As David's messengers, Jonathan and Ahimaaz, were pursued by Absalom's forces, they sought refuge in a well. This courageous woman, with remarkable presence of mind, concealed their hiding place by spreading a covering over the well's mouth and then scattering ground corn on top, effectively disguising the well as a mundane domestic area and ensuring the messengers' safety and the critical intelligence they carried reached King David.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal moment within the larger narrative of [Absalom's rebellion against his father, King David](/2_samuel/15 "2 Samuel 15 - Absalom's Rebellion"). Following David's hasty flight from Jerusalem, his loyal advisor Hushai successfully infiltrated Absalom's court and countered the deadly counsel of Ahithophel, advising a delay that would allow David to escape. The crucial intelligence regarding Ahithophel's original, dangerous plan was entrusted to Jonathan and Ahimaaz, sons of the priests, who were tasked with delivering it to David ([2 Samuel 17:15](/2_samuel/17-15 "2 Samuel 17:15 - Jonathan and Ahimaaz as Messengers")). However, they were spotted and pursued by Absalom's men. Their desperate flight led them to Bahurim, where this unnamed woman's quick thinking became instrumental in their survival, directly preceding David's successful crossing of the Jordan River and regrouping.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Israelite society relied heavily on wells as vital sources of water for both human and animal consumption, making them common features in villages and along travel routes. The act of spreading "ground corn" (likely parched or crushed grain) over the well's mouth would have been a highly effective disguise. This was a common domestic activity, as grain was often spread out to dry or for preparation (e.g., for grinding into flour or making bread). Such a scene would appear entirely innocuous to pursuers, diverting suspicion from the well as a hiding place. The woman's action also highlights the significant risk involved; harboring fugitives, especially those loyal to a deposed king, carried severe penalties, potentially even death, underscoring her immense courage and loyalty in a time of political upheaval and civil war.
* **Key Themes:** The immediate theme is **Divine Providence** working through human agents. While the focus is on the woman's ingenuity, the successful outcome of her actions implicitly points to God's guiding hand in protecting David and his loyalists, ensuring the failure of Absalom's revolt. Another prominent theme is **Loyalty and Courage**, exemplified by the unnamed woman who risks her life for David's cause, mirroring the loyalty shown by Hushai and others. **Resourcefulness and Human Ingenuity** are also central, as the woman utilizes everyday items and common knowledge to devise a clever and effective deception. This episode underscores how God can use seemingly ordinary individuals and mundane circumstances to accomplish extraordinary purposes, a recurring motif throughout the biblical narrative, as seen in the deliverance of Israel through Moses ([Exodus 14](/exodus/14 "Exodus 14 - The Crossing of the Red Sea")) or the unexpected rise of figures like Esther ([Esther 4](/esther/4 "Esther 4 - Esther's Courageous Decision")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **covering (Hebrew, _mispaḥ'_):** This word refers to something spread out, a screen, or a net. In this context, it implies a deliberate and effective act of concealment. It wasn't just a random cloth, but something specifically chosen or used to obscure the well's opening, suggesting an immediate and purposeful action to hide.
* **ground corn (Hebrew, _rifot'_):** This term refers to parched or crushed grain, often barley or wheat. The use of "ground corn" (or parched grain) is key to the deception. It wasn't just raw grain, which might look out of place, but grain in a state of preparation, making the scene appear like a normal domestic activity, such as drying grain or preparing it for consumption, thus diverting any suspicion.
* **not known (Hebrew, _lo' noda'_):** This phrase emphasizes the complete success of the woman's ruse. It means "it was not found out" or "it was not discovered." The pursuers searched, but the deception was so effective that they remained entirely unaware of the messengers' presence, highlighting the critical outcome of her quick thinking.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the woman took and spread a covering over the well's mouth":** This clause highlights the woman's decisive and immediate action. Upon learning of the messengers' predicament and their hiding place in the well, she did not hesitate. The "covering" was the first layer of concealment, physically obscuring the opening of the well where Jonathan and Ahimaaz were hidden. Her promptness was crucial in a high-stakes situation.
* **"and spread ground corn thereon":** This describes the ingenious second layer of deception. By scattering parched or crushed grain over the covering, she created the illusion of a mundane domestic scene. This act transformed a potential hiding place into what appeared to be an ordinary area for drying or preparing food, a common sight in ancient Israelite households, thereby making the well seem entirely unremarkable to any casual observer or pursuer.
* **"and the thing was not known":** This final clause succinctly states the successful outcome of her quick wit and courage. Despite the pursuers' search, the elaborate yet simple disguise worked perfectly. The messengers remained hidden, and the vital intelligence they carried was preserved, ultimately ensuring David's safety and the continuation of his cause against Absalom's rebellion. This success was a critical turning point in the narrative.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative of 2 Samuel 17:19 is rich with literary devices that amplify its impact. **Irony** is prominent, as a simple, everyday domestic act—spreading grain to dry—becomes the means of concealing a critical military secret, thwarting a rebellion, and saving lives. The mundane is elevated to the miraculous through human ingenuity. There is also a strong element of **Understatement** in the phrase "and the thing was not known," which subtly conveys the immense success of the deception without overtly stating the dramatic implications for David's survival and the future of the kingdom. The **Anonymity** of the woman is also a powerful device; by not naming her, the text emphasizes that God can use anyone, even the seemingly insignificant, to accomplish His purposes, highlighting the theme of divine providence working through unexpected channels. The **Symbolism** of the well as a place of refuge and life, and the grain as a symbol of sustenance and everyday life, are interwoven to underscore how ordinary elements can be transformed into instruments of extraordinary deliverance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The account of the unnamed woman in Bahurim powerfully illustrates God's providential care for His people, often working through the seemingly insignificant and the unexpected. Her quick thinking and courageous action are not merely human ingenuity but are implicitly guided by a divine hand, ensuring the preservation of David's messengers and the vital intelligence they carried. This narrative reminds us that God is actively involved in the details of human history, using ordinary individuals and their everyday resources to accomplish His extraordinary purposes, especially in times of crisis. It underscores the biblical truth that "The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord" ([Proverbs 21:31](/proverbs/21-31 "Proverbs 21:31 - Victory is from the Lord")).

* [Judges 4:18-22](/judges/4-18 "Judges 4:18-22 - Jael and Sisera")
* [Esther 4:14](/esther/4-14 "Esther 4:14 - For Such a Time as This")
* [Psalm 121:1-2](/psalms/121-1 "Psalm 121:1-2 - My Help Comes from the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The story of the unnamed woman in 2 Samuel 17:19 serves as a profound reminder that God often uses ordinary people in extraordinary ways to accomplish His sovereign will. Her decisive action, born of resourcefulness and courage, highlights the immense impact an individual can have, even when their name is not recorded in history. In our own lives, we are often called to act with similar ingenuity and bravery in moments of crisis, whether personal, communal, or societal. This narrative encourages us to cultivate a spirit of quick thinking, compassion, and unwavering loyalty to what is right, even when it involves personal risk. It challenges us to look beyond our perceived limitations and recognize that God can empower us to be instruments of His deliverance and purpose, using the "ground corn" of our everyday lives for His divine plans. Her story inspires us to trust in God's providence, knowing that He can orchestrate seemingly small acts to achieve monumental outcomes, protecting His people and advancing His kingdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might God be calling me to act with resourcefulness and courage in my current circumstances?**
* **How does this story encourage me to see God's hand at work in seemingly small or ordinary acts of obedience and service?**
* **What "ground corn" (everyday resources, skills, or opportunities) do I possess that God might want to use for His purposes in a significant, though perhaps hidden, way?**

### FAQ
**Who was this unnamed woman, and why is her identity not revealed?**

Answer: The Bible does not provide the name of this woman. Her anonymity is common in biblical narratives, often serving to highlight the divine hand at work or to emphasize the significance of the action itself rather than the individual's fame. In this case, her unnamed status underscores that God can use anyone, regardless of their social standing or public recognition, to accomplish His purposes. She was likely a resident of Bahurim, a village on the route from Jerusalem to the Jordan River, and a loyal supporter of King David.

**Why was "ground corn" used as a disguise, and how effective was it?**

Answer: "Ground corn" (more accurately, parched or crushed grain) was used because spreading it out was a common, everyday domestic activity in ancient Israel. Grain was often laid out to dry, sifted, or prepared for grinding into flour. By covering the well's mouth with a cloth and then scattering grain on top, the woman created a scene that appeared entirely innocuous and ordinary to Absalom's pursuers. This simple, yet ingenious, disguise was highly effective, as the verse explicitly states, "and the thing was not known," meaning the messengers' hiding place was not discovered. It successfully diverted suspicion and allowed the vital intelligence to be preserved.

**What was the broader significance of this woman's act in the context of Absalom's rebellion?**

Answer: This woman's quick thinking and courageous act were critically significant. By successfully hiding Jonathan and Ahimaaz, she ensured that the crucial intelligence from Hushai—warning David about Ahithophel's dangerous counsel and urging him to cross the Jordan—reached the king. This information was vital for David's survival and strategic planning. Had the messengers been caught, David might have been overwhelmed by Absalom's forces, potentially leading to his capture or death and the collapse of his kingdom. Her seemingly small, localized act had profound national implications, directly contributing to David's escape, regrouping, and eventual victory over Absalom.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of the unnamed woman in 2 Samuel 17:19, while a historical account of human ingenuity and divine providence, finds a profound Christ-centered fulfillment in several ways. Just as the well provided a hidden refuge for David's messengers, Jesus Christ is our ultimate [refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble](/psalms/46-1 "Psalm 46:1 - God Our Refuge"). The "ground corn" used to disguise the well can be seen as a subtle foreshadowing of Christ, who describes Himself as the [bread of life](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life"), the spiritual nourishment that sustains us. More deeply, Jesus Himself was "hidden" in plain sight, born in humble circumstances and growing up in obscurity in Nazareth, much like the hidden well. His true identity and mission were often "not known" to those who sought to thwart God's plan, especially the spiritual powers of darkness. The wisdom of God, revealed in Christ, was a [mystery hidden for ages](/colossians/1-26 "Colossians 1:26 - The Mystery Hidden for Ages") but now revealed. Just as the woman's act ensured the survival of David's kingdom, Christ's sacrificial death and resurrection, though appearing as a defeat to the world, were God's ultimate, hidden strategy to secure eternal salvation and establish His everlasting kingdom, a plan that the "rulers of this age did not understand" ([1 Corinthians 2:8](/1_corinthians/2-8 "1 Corinthians 2:8 - The Rulers Did Not Understand")). He is the ultimate deliverer, using seemingly ordinary means—a cross, a tomb, and a handful of disciples—to accomplish the greatest rescue in history.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.