提要
大衛在曠野逃避押沙龍，這時米非波設的僕人洗巴帶來大批補給品想贏得大衛的歡心，他欺騙大衛說米非波設覬覦王位，其實洗巴是想使自己得到好處（16：3~4；19：24~30）。大衛並沒有看穿他的謊言，因為如果連他親生的兒子和一向信任的謀士都會背叛他，更何況是米非波設呢？
在逃亡的旅途中，大衛也碰見掃羅家的示每，他用極苛刻的話侮辱大衛。對王出言不恭可判死刑，但大衛不許他的隨從殺示每（16：10~11；19：18~23）。他情願接受侮辱作為他刑罰的一部分，也接受上帝撤除他王位的可能性。大衛將一切事都交在上帝手中，自己默默承受咒詛和羞辱，他相信如果上帝認為合適，終必會施恩於他。
當大衛一行向東邊約但河方向逃去之際，押沙龍也進駐了耶路撒冷，向大衛從前的一位謀士亞希多弗尋求良策。但亞希多弗的建議並非從上頭來的，而是屬地的、屬情慾的、屬鬼魔的（雅3：13~18）。他建議押沙龍與大衛留在耶路撒冷的妃嬪親近。這將使所有以色列人知道，押沙龍已經奪權，現在是以色列的王了。押沙龍這麼做對大衛是極大的侮辱，但也應驗了拿單的預言，他的妃嬪必在日光之下與人同寢（12：11~12）。
大衛已經先派他忠心的謀士戶篩留在耶城臥底。押沙龍雖然懷疑戶篩，但戶篩使押沙龍相信他的忠誠。事實上，戶篩留在耶路撒冷是上帝對大衛之祈禱的回應，祂要用戶篩來「使亞希多弗的計謀變為愚拙」（15：31）。我們像大衛一樣，也需要求上帝不斷敗壞撒但攻擊我們的邪惡技倆。
老謀深算的亞希多弗建議押沙龍立刻追擊大衛，如此必能徹底擊潰疲憊的大衛和其倉促成軍的隨員。但上帝永遠在掌權，祂不容許此事發生。由於茲事體大，加上不確定此計是否可行，押沙龍於是詢問戶篩的意見。戶篩告訴押沙龍亞希多弗的主意不好，又強調乘勝追擊的危險。他利用押沙龍的自負心理，建議押沙龍等到召集了更多的支持者再追趕大衛，那樣必然得勝。押沙龍採納了戶篩的建議，而那實際上是上帝要保護、拯救大衛的方法（17：14；箴21：30）。
戶篩於是透過躲藏在隱羅結（耶路撒冷城牆外，汲淪溪南端的一口泉）的祭司之子向大衛報信。大衛知道了押沙龍的打算，就連忙過了約但河，以防押沙龍改變心意。
亞希多弗是個聰明人，他知道押沙龍若不採納他的建議，必敗無疑。他也知道，大衛若再重登王位，自己必定會以叛國者的罪名被羞辱致死，於是他選擇了自縊而死──正如賣耶穌的猶大一樣（太27：5，詩篇五十五篇所說的人可能就是亞希多弗）。
在此同時，上帝保守大衛，帶領他及所有的隨員平安抵達瑪哈念，瑪哈念是從前掃羅之子伊施波設的首都，也是雅各看見上帝軍兵的地方（創32：2）。上帝的軍隊的確與大衛同在。上帝藉著三個支持大衛的人供應大衛一行的需要，他們慷慨的提供食物給大衛，實際上就是服事了主。
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Overview
As David was starting out on his journey through the wilderness to escape from Absalom, Ziba, the servant of Mephibosheth (9:9-10), came with supplies. He desired to win the favour of David, and lied about his master's aspirations to the throne in hopes of personal gain (16:3-4; 19:24-30). David did not detect the fabrication of his story, for if his own son and trusted counsellor betray him, why not Mephibosheth too?
Along the way, David also met Shimei, a man of the house of Saul, who heaped terrible insults at him. To say such things to a king was punishable by death, yet David would not allow his men to kill Shimei (16:10-11; 19:18-23). He was willing to accept the insults as a part of the punishment for his sin and was open to the possibility that God may have chosen to remove him as king, for as of yet it was uncertain (15:26). David was content to leave things in the hands of God, believing that if he suffered this cursing and humilation silently, then if God saw fit, He would ultimately reward Him.
While David was fleeing eastward toward the Jordan River, Absalom had come into the royal city and sought counsel from Ahithophel, his co-conspirator and David's former advisor, it was usual for kings to have wise advisors around them (Proverbs 22:6, 8), but Athitophel's advice was not wisdom from above but rather "earthly, sensual, and demonic" (James 3:13-18). Ahithophel advised Absalom to take his father's concubines whom David had left behind in Jerusalem (15:16). This would be a sign to all the people that Absalom had taken over power and was now proclaiming himself as king. This was the greatest insult to David, and since it was done so openly, it was in fulfillment of Nathan's prophecy (12:11-12).
Now David had shrewdly sent his faithful advisor Hushai to Absalom as a spy. Although Absalom was suspicious of him, at first Hushai convinced him of his loyalty. Actually, Hushai was there in answer to David's prayer that God would "turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness" (15:31). We, like David, need to pray that the evil plans of Satan against us will be frustrated by God's continual intervention.
Using his keen military insight. Ahitophel advised Absalom to make an immediate attack on David. This would have meant sure defeat for David and his men, who were weary and disorganized from a hasty retreat. But God, who is always in control, would not allow this to happen. Because of the importance of the decision and his uncertainty, Absalom also turned to Hushai for advice. Hushai told him that Ahithophel's advice wa snot good and emphasized the risks involved with following it. Playing on Absalom's egotism, he suggested they wait to rally more of his supporters, then they would see sure victory. Absalom agreed with Hushai's advice which was actually God's way of protecting and delivering David (17:14, Proverbs 21:30).
According to the plan, Hushai sent word to David through the priest's sons who were cleverly hidden at En Rogel, a spring at the southern end of the Kidron valley outside the city walls of Jerusalem. David, now aware of his son's intentions, hurried to cross the Jordan in case Absalom changed his mind about the delay.
Ahithophel was clever enough to know that since Absalom did not take his counsel, it would mean defeat. He realized that if he faced David again, he would be humiliated and put to death as a traitor. Like Jusas, who betrayed Jesus, he hung himself (Matthew 27:5; Psalm 55 is likely about Ahithophel).
Meanwhile, God was taking care of David to bring him and all those with him safely to a place of refuge in Mahaniam, where Ishbosheth had previously set up his capital (2:8). This is also where Jacob had seen the vision of the encampment of the Lord's army (Genesis 32:2). Truly, the army of the Lord was also with David to protect him. God provided for David's needs through three of his supporters who generously brought much food. They were serving the Lord by being kind to David.
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