Albert Barnes Commentary 2 Samuel 17:24

"Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom passed over the Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him." — 2 Samuel 17:24 (ASV)

Mahanaim - See 2 Samuel 2:8. The same reasons that induced Abner to choose it for Ishbosheth probably made it a good rallying point for David. It was a strong city in a well-provisioned country, with a mountainous district for retreat in case of need, and with a warlike and friendly population.