2 Samuel 15:37 - Printer Friendly

ESV: So Hushai, David 's friend, came into the city, just as Absalom was entering Jerusalem.

NIV: So Hushai, David’s confidant, arrived at Jerusalem as Absalom was entering the city.

NASB: So Hushai, David’s friend, came into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem.

CSB: So Hushai, David’s personal adviser, entered Jerusalem just as Absalom was entering the city.

NLT: So David’s friend Hushai returned to Jerusalem, getting there just as Absalom arrived.

KJV: So Hushai David's friend came into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem.

NKJV: So Hushai, David’s friend, went into the city. And Absalom came into Jerusalem.

Absalom, David's newly reconciled son, began meeting with Israelites at the Jerusalem gates. Absalom would ask them where they were from and claimed David hadn't established judges for their tribe. But if he were king, he would obviously give them justice. It only took four years for Absalom to win the hearts of the nation, and he didn't even have to leave the city (2 Samuel 15:1–6).

When he was ready, Absalom asked David if he could go to Hebron, his birthplace and the functional capital of Judah. David thought he was fulfilling a vow to God. But when Absalom got there, he sent messengers to tell all of Israel that he was now king (2 Samuel 15:7–12).

A messenger told David, and the king moved quickly. He got his servants and his personal guards out of the city. He left the priests as spies and their sons as messengers (2 Samuel 15:13–29).

On the way up the Mount of Olives, David meets his friend Hushai. The old man wants to join the exile, but David has a better idea and sends him to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 15:32–36). Hushai will convince Absalom that he's come to give counsel to the new king. He doesn't mention that it's bad counsel (2 Samuel 16:15–19). With the help of the priests, their sons, and two brave women, Hushai sends David a message, and the people make it to safety before Absalom attacks (2 Samuel 17).

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).

Second Samuel continues the story of David, who will become king over Judah. The other tribes of Israel are resistant, eventually sparking a civil war. David wins and makes Jerusalem his capital. Early success is followed by moral failure and controversy in David's house. The book of 1 Kings will begin by detailing David's decline and death.