John Gill Commentary 2 Samuel 17:21

"And it came to pass, after they were departed, that they came up out of the well, and went and told king David; and they said unto David, Arise ye, and pass quickly over the water; for thus hath Ahithophel counselled against you." — 2 Samuel 17:21 (ASV)

And it came to pass after they were departed
The servants of Absalom:

that they came up out of the well ;
the sons of the priests, being informed by the woman that they were gone; Josephus ^F19 says they were drawn up by the woman with a rope:

and went and told King David ;
who was now in the plain of the wilderness, perhaps near Jericho, and not a great way from Jordan, to whom they related the whole of their message:

and said unto David ;
as they were directed:

arise, and pass quickly over the water ;
the river Jordan:

for thus has Ahithophel counselled against you ;
to come with twelve thousand men, and fall upon him that very night; and it was not certain his counsel would be rejected; and therefore it was advisable for David to prepare against the worst.

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FOOTNOTES:

• F19: Antiqu. l. 7. c. 9. sect. 7. Hudson. not. in ib.