that city with machines of war, and by undermining it." When Hushai had
said this, he obtained his point against Ahithophel, for his opinion was
preferred by Absalom before the other's: however, it was no other than
God [17] who made the counsel of Hushai appear best to the mind of
Absalom.

7. So Hushai made haste to the high priests, Zadok and Abiathar,
and told them the opinion of Ahithophel, and his own, and that the
resolution was taken to follow this latter advice. He therefore bade
them send to David, and tell him of it, and to inform him of the
counsels that had been taken; and to desire him further to pass quickly
over Jordan, lest his son should change his mind, and make haste to
pursue him, and so prevent him, and seize upon him before he be in
safety. Now the high priests had their sons concealed in a proper
place out of the city, that they might carry news to David of what
was transacted. Accordingly, they sent a maid-servant, whom they could
trust, to them, to carry the news of Absalom's counsels, and ordered
them to signify the same to David with all speed. So they made no
excuse nor delay, but taking along with them their fathers' injunctions,
because pious and faithful ministers, and judging that quickness and
suddenness was the best mark of faithful service, they made haste
to meet with David. But certain horsemen saw them when they were two
furlongs from the city, and informed Absalom of them, who immediately
sent some to take them; but when the sons of the high priest perceived
this, they went out of the road, and betook themselves to a certain
village; that village was called Bahurim; there they desired a certain
woman to hide them, and afford them security. Accordingly she let the
young men down by a rope into a well, and laid fleeces of wool over
them; and when those that pursued them came to her, and asked her
whether she saw them, she did not deny that she had seen them, for that
they staid with her some time, but she said they then went their ways;
and she foretold that, however, if they would follow them directly, they
would catch them; but when after a long pursuit they could not catch
them, they came back again; and when the woman saw those men were
returned, and that there was no longer any fear of the young men's being
caught by them, she drew them up by the rope, and bade them go on their
journey accordingly, they used great diligence in the prosecution of
that journey, and came to David,