2 Samuel 15:32 - Printer Friendly

ESV: While David was coming to the summit, where God was worshiped, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat torn and dirt on his head.

NIV: When David arrived at the summit, where people used to worship God, Hushai the Arkite was there to meet him, his robe torn and dust on his head.

NASB: It happened as David was coming to the summit, where God was worshiped, that behold, Hushai the Archite met him with his coat torn, and dust on his head.

CSB: When David came to the summit where he used to worship God, Hushai the Archite was there to meet him with his robe torn and dust on his head.

NLT: When David reached the summit of the Mount of Olives where people worshiped God, Hushai the Arkite was waiting there for him. Hushai had torn his clothing and put dirt on his head as a sign of mourning.

KJV: And it came to pass, that when David was come to the top of the mount, where he worshipped God, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat rent, and earth upon his head:

NKJV: Now it happened when David had come to the top of the mountain, where he worshiped God—there was Hushai the Archite coming to meet him with his robe torn and dust on his head.

As Absalom and his followers approach Jerusalem, David must determine who should stay and who should accompany him into exile. He takes his servants, possibly believing Absalom would harm them. He also brings his Philistine bodyguards. He tries to leave his Philistine mercenaries. They've only just arrived, and they have no reason to be loyal to David; Absalom will treat them well. Their commander, Ittai, won't hear of it. They will live and die as David's servants (2 Samuel 15:13–22).

Absalom focused his attentions and manipulations on men outside of Jerusalem (2 Samuel 15:1–6), and many in and around Jerusalem remain loyal to David (2 Samuel 15:23). But David can't provide for them all—he must trust God with their safety. He leaves the priests and Levites for different reasons. First, the ark is God's, and it belongs in Jerusalem, not in exile. Second, David needs spies. One of the priests is a seer who can ask God for wisdom. Both have sons who can warn David if Absalom follows him (2 Samuel 15:24–29).

One significant person did not join David: his counselor Ahithophel. David feels this betrayal deeply and prayed that God will warp Ahithophel's advice, so it won't benefit Absalom (2 Samuel 15:30–31).

As David's prayer floats to God's throne room, God provides His answer. David's old friend Hushai arrives, dressed for mourning. The old man intends to follow David, but David realizes he's meant for a different purpose. David sends him to Jerusalem, to Absalom's court (2 Samuel 15:33–37). It takes some work, but Hushai convinces Absalom that he serves the king, not David specifically. He manages to counter Ahithophel's counsel and convinces Absalom to wait to attack David until they can gather a larger army from throughout the tribes. Absalom agrees, and Hushai sends word to warn David (2 Samuel 17).

When the battle is joined, David's army, including the faithful Philistines, rout the greater army of Israel, showing the entire nation that David is still God's choice to be king (2 Samuel 18).

Second Samuel 15:30–37 details David losing one advisor and gaining another. David's best counselor, Ahithophel, has fallen to Absalom's charms. He follows as Absalom marches towards Jerusalem to take the throne. As David flees, he meets an old friend, Hushai. Hushai wants to come with David, but David sends him to the city to counter Ahithophel's plans. Hushai can't stop Absalom from sleeping with David's concubines (2 Samuel 16:20–23), but he does keep Ahithophel from attacking David's people while they're fleeing (2 Samuel 17).

God's curses against David continue (2 Samuel 12:10–12). David's son Absalom stages a coup. His followers declare him king and escort him to Jerusalem. David and those faithful to him flee the city for the wilderness. He leaves behind two priests, their sons, and an advisor to thwart Absalom's plans. As he travels, David willingly endures every humiliation, not knowing which are from God. Joab kills Absalom, and the kingdom is restored (2 Samuel 16—18). Absalom's betrayal is not recorded in 1 Chronicles.

Second Samuel 15 continues the fulfillment of God's curse on David. As he betrayed his friend Uriah, so someone from David's house will betray him (2 Samuel 12:11). David's son Absalom steals the people's hearts and declares himself king. David and his household flee the city, leaving behind ten concubines and five spies. The spies protect David until Joab can kill Absalom in battle. David is humbled and forgives his enemies (2 Samuel 16—19).