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 hath 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.