12
So shall we come on him in some place where he shall be found, and we will light on him as the dew falls on the ground; and of him and of all the men who are with him we will not leave so much as one.
13
Moreover, if he be gotten into a city, then shall all Yisra'el bring ropes to that city, and we will draw it into the river, until there not be one small stone found there.
14
Avshalom and all the men of Yisra'el said, The counsel of Hushai the Arki is better than the counsel of Achitofel. For the LORD had ordained to defeat the good counsel of Achitofel, to the intent that the LORD might bring evil on Avshalom.
15
Then said Hushai to Tzadok and to Avyatar the Kohanim, Thus and thus did Achitofel counsel Avshalom and the Zakenim of Yisra'el; and thus and thus have I counseled.
16
Now therefore send quickly, and tell David, saying, Don't lodge this night at the fords of the wilderness, but by all means pass over; lest the king be swallowed up, and all the people who are with him.
17
Now Yonatan and Achima`atz were staying by `En-Rogel; and a maid-servant used to go and tell them; and they went and told king David: for they might not be seen to come into the city.
18
But a boy saw them, and told Avshalom: and they went both of them away quickly, and came to the house of a man in Bachurim, who had a well in his court; and they went down there.
19
The woman took and spread the covering over the well's mouth, and strewed bruised grain thereon; and nothing was known.
20
Avshalom's servants came to the woman to the house; and they said, Where are Achima`atz and Yonatan? The woman said to them, They have gone over the brook of water. When they had sought and could not find them, they returned to Yerushalayim.
21
It happened, after they had departed, that they came up out of the well, and went and told king David; and they said to David, Arise you, and pass quickly over the water; for thus has Achitofel counseled against you.
22
Then David arose, and all the people who were with him, and they passed over the Yarden: by the morning light there lacked not one of them who had not gone over the Yarden.