Ferryboat

The ferryboat appears once in the UPDV, in the narrative of David's return to Jerusalem after Absalom's revolt. It is the practical means by which the king's household crosses the Jordan back into the heart of his kingdom.

Crossing the Jordan with David

After Absalom's defeat, David returns from beyond the Jordan and Judah comes to Gilgal to escort him over. Shimei the son of Gera and a thousand men of Benjamin meet the king at the river. In the middle of that scene a ferryboat is moved into service for the household: "And there went over a ferryboat to bring over the king's household, and to do that which was good in his eyes. And Shimei the son of Gera fell down before the king, when he came over the Jordan" (2 Sam 19:18). The vessel is a working detail in the larger reconciliation narrative — it carries family and gear over while Shimei prostrates himself on the riverbank to plead for his life.