They answered, "The Hebrew women are not like Egyptian women; they give birth easily, and their babies are born before either of us gets there."

Hushai answered, "How could I? I am for the one chosen by the LORD, by these people, and by all the Israelites. I will stay with you.

After all, whom should I serve, if not my master's son? As I served your father, so now I will serve you."

The man's wife took a covering, spread it over the opening of the well and scattered grain over it, so that no one would notice anything.

Absalom's officials came to the house and asked the woman, "Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?" "They crossed the river," she answered. The men looked for them but could not find them, and so they returned to Jerusalem.

Then Elisha went to them and said, "You are on the wrong road; this is not the town you are looking for. Follow me, and I will lead you to the man you are after." And he led them to Samaria.