2 Samuel 12:27

12:27 Joab then sent messengers to David, saying, “I have fought against Rabbah and have captured the water supply of the city. ¹ 

2 Samuel 17:20-21

17:20 When the servants of Absalom approached the woman at her home, they asked, “Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?” The woman replied to them, “They crossed over the stream.” Absalom’s men ²  searched but did not find them, so they returned to Jerusalem. ³ 

17:21 After the men had left, Ahimaaz and Jonathan ⁴  climbed out of the well. Then they left and informed King David. They advised David, “Get up and cross the stream ⁵  quickly, for Ahithophel has devised a plan to catch you.” ⁶ 

[12:27]  ¹ sn The expression translated the water supply of the city (Heb “the city of the waters”) apparently refers to that part of the fortified city that guarded the water supply of the entire city. Joab had already captured this part of the city, but he now defers to King David for the capture of the rest of the city. In this way the king will receive the credit for this achievement.

[17:20]  ² tn Heb “they”; the referents (Absalom’s men) have been specified in the translation for clarity.

[17:20]  ³ map For location see Map5 B1; Map6 F3; Map7 E2; Map8 F2; Map10 B3; JP1 F4; JP2 F4; JP3 F4; JP4 F4.

[17:21]  ³ tn Heb “they”; the referents (Ahimaaz and Jonathan) have been specified in the translation for clarity.

[17:21]  ⁴ tn Heb “the water.”

[17:21]  ⁵ tn Heb “for thus Ahithophel has devised against you.” The expression “thus” is narrative shorthand, referring to the plan outlined by Ahithophel (see vv. 1-3). The men would surely have outlined the plan in as much detail as they had been given by the messenger.