Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom passed over Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him.
Hushai's counsel gained David the opportunity to escape to Mahanaim. David and his forces fell back to Mahanaim. That city had been the royal seat of Ishbosheth. It was strongly fortified and surrounded by a mountainous district favorable for retreat in case of war. The country around it was well provisioned, and its people were friendly to David's cause. There many adherents joined him, while wealthy tribesmen brought abundant gifts of provision and other needed supplies.
Absalom soon crossed the Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him, in pursuit of his father. The delay before that pursuit was brief, because Absalom was rash and impetuous and could not be long restrained. The pursuing host was large, but it was undisciplined and poorly prepared to cope with David's tried, experienced soldiers.
Hushai's counsel gained David the opportunity to escape to Mahanaim. David and his forces fell back to Mahanaim. That city had been the royal seat of Ishbosheth. It was strongly fortified and surrounded by a mountainous district favorable for retreat in case of war. The country around it was well provisioned, and its people were friendly to David's cause. There many adherents joined him, while wealthy tribesmen brought abundant gifts of provision and other needed supplies.
Absalom soon crossed the Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him, in pursuit of his father. The delay before that pursuit was brief, because Absalom was rash and impetuous and could not be long restrained. The pursuing host was large, but it was undisciplined and poorly prepared to cope with David's tried, experienced soldiers.