Matthew Henry Presbyterian @wholebiblehenry

Here is, I. The transporting of David and his forces over Jordan, pursuant to the advice he had received from his friends at Jerusalem, Sa2 17:22. He, and all that were with him, went over in the night, whether in ferryboats, which probably always plied there, or through the fords, does not appear.

Commenting on 2 Samuel 17:22-29

John Gill Reformed Baptist @doctorgill

And Absalom made Amasa captain of the host instead of Joab,.... Who was along with David: which Amasa was a man's son whose name was Ithra, an Israelite; he is called Jether the Ishmaelite, Ch1 2:17; either because he was an Ishmaelite by birth, and being proselyted to the Jewish religion, was called an Israelite; or rather he was an Israelite by birth, and having...

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Reformed @jfbcommentary

Then David came to Mahanaim--in the high eastern country of Gilead, the seat of Ish-bosheth's government. Absalom passed over Jordan--It is not said how long an interval elapsed, but there must have been sufficient time to make the intended levy throughout the kingdom.