Albert Barnes Commentary 2 Samuel 17:20

"And Absalom`s servants came to the woman to the house; and they said, Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan? And the woman said unto them, They are gone over the brook of water. And when they had sought and could not find them, they returned to Jerusalem." — 2 Samuel 17:20 (ASV)

As soon as she had hidden the men, she went into the house, appearing busy with her usual occupations. Absalom’s servants had been informed by some of the people of Bahurim that the men had come to this house; if the servants had found her in the court, it might have drawn their attention to the peeled barley.

Over the brook of water - Compare 2 Samuel 16:9 note. The word for “brook” (Michal) occurs only here. A brook has been found in this very district, still called by that name. The woman showed great presence of mind and adroitness by not denying that the men had been there.