2 Samuel 17:17-22
Verse 19 His wife took a covering and spread it out over the opening of the well and scattered grain over it. No one knew anything about it.
The servant girl was able to get to the young priests but as they try to leave with the information for the king they were spotted by a young man who decided to squeal to Absalom. The servant girl was able to safely head back to Jerusalem and it wasn’t long before a young man was quickly traveling the same path to get to the palace. While she was settling back into her duties in the home of the priest the young man was hurriedly trying to tell Absalom all that he had seen.
While the palace was being put to a frenzy Ahimaaz and Jonathan knew they had been spotted and if they allowed themselves to be caught, the king wouldn’t get the message and that could lead to the king being killed and the nation being turned over to Absalom. They couldn’t let that happen. So the two men headed slightly north of the Mount of Olives to the town of Bahurim (also known as Nob) – this was also the town where the man throwing rocks at David was from – and began looking for a place to hide out.
Coming to the home of a man and his wife they find a well and see that as the perfect hiding place. The lady of the house must have wanted to make sure they were safe because she spread a cloth over the top of the well opening and spread some grain on top as if drying it. This lady sounds like she took a lesson from Rahab as she hid the spies for Israel in Jericho.
We don’t know how long they were down there but before too long the men Absalom sent came to the home of the couple and asked if they had seen the two men. The lady in true Rahab fashion said she had seen them leave over the brook. The men took off to look and when they can’t find Ahimaaz and Jonathan they give up and return to Jerusalem.
With Absalom’s men headed back to Jerusalem, the two men came up out of the well and hurried to David to give him the message. David wasted no time to set the people in motion to get over the Jordan River. By the next morning all of David and his entourage were safely on the other side where they could gather and figure out their next move without having to be as concerned about who was going to sneak up behind them. Thanks to the young people and a caring lady, David, his men and their families could rest a little.
Making It Personal
How willing are you to help someone who is struggling? Do you stand up for those who are doing something for the Lord? What is something you could be doing for the Lord which requires a bit more effort?
Making It Personal Kids
How can you know if someone needs your help? Are you willing to help others? Do you look for people who need help?
Closing Prayer
Father, thank You for this reminder that something as simple as spreading a cloth with grain on it can be a way of helping people on a mission from You. Help us see where we can help those who are serving You and give us a heart to help them. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Comments