2 Samuel 16:17 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And Absalom said to Hushai, "Is this your loyalty to your friend? Why did you not go with your friend?"

NIV: Absalom said to Hushai, "So this is the love you show your friend? If he’s your friend, why didn’t you go with him?"

NASB: But Absalom said to Hushai, 'Is this your loyalty to your friend? Why did you not go with your friend?'

CSB: "Is this your loyalty to your friend?" Absalom asked Hushai. "Why didn’t you go with your friend?"

NLT: Is this the way you treat your friend David?' Absalom asked him. 'Why aren’t you with him?'

KJV: And Absalom said to Hushai, Is this thy kindness to thy friend? why wentest thou not with thy friend?

NKJV: So Absalom said to Hushai, “ Is this your loyalty to your friend? Why did you not go with your friend?”

David has known enemies, loyalists, devoted guards, and counselors, but he had very few close friends. The first is Jonathan, son of King Saul, who bound his heart to David and promised to serve him as king (1 Samuel 23:17–18). Another is Hushai, an old man apparently from the tribe of Ephraim (Joshua 16:1–2). When David fled Absalom's army, Hushai appeared with torn clothes and dirt on his head: a picture of mourning, intending to join David in exile (2 Samuel 15:32).

So, when Hushai arrives in Jerusalem, offering to advise the new king, Absalom has reason to be suspicious. When Hushai cries, "Long live the king!" (2 Samuel 16:15–16), Absalom is confused.

There are multiple reasons why Hushai didn't go with his friend. The first that is David thought him too old. The elderly man would slow down the caravan racing to safety. The second is that David had a greater purpose for him. David had just learned that his best advisor, Ahithophel, had fallen in with Absalom. Absalom was charming and ambitious, but young. Ahithophel's inclusion in Absalom's circle is bad for David (2 Samuel 15:31).

In turn, God provided Hushai. Hushai could make it seem that his purpose is to advise whomever God and the people call to be king, whether that's David or his son. Once Absalom trusts him, he can counter Ahithophel's advice and uses the priests to send word of Absalom's plans (2 Samuel 15:34–37). That is why Hushai isn't with his friend David. Not because he has betrayed him, but because he's willing to put his life on the line to save him.

Second Samuel 16:15–19 describes Absalom entering Jerusalem and gaining an advisor. He's been marching from Hebron with a growing number of supporters. David and his people have already fled. When Absalom arrives, David's friend Hushai offers to join Absalom's council. Absalom is wary, but Hushai promises loyalty. Absalom doesn't realize that Hushai is David's spy. With the help of the priests, their sons, and two brave women, Hushai will counter Ahithophel's advice and foil Absalom's attack on David's people (2 Samuel 17:1–22).

David flees and Absalom takes Jerusalem. Absalom arrives with his supporters while David and his servants race to the Jordan River (2 Samuel 15). Mephibosheth's servant Ziba brings David donkeys, provisions, and news that Mephibosheth has also betrayed David. Shimei, Saul's relative, throws stones and curses at David and his people. David's former counselor Ahithophel convinces Absalom to have sex with David's concubines. But David's friend Hushai has infiltrated Absalom's council and will prove to be an exceptionally good spy (2 Samuel 17:1–22).

In 2 Samuel 16, leadership in Jerusalem changes hands. Because of David's sin (2 Samuel 11), God predicts death and controversy in David's life. That starts with assault and murder within David's own family (2 Samuel 12—14). The murderer, David's son Absalom, took four years to gain the people's trust and declare himself king (2 Samuel 15:1–11). He won over David's counselor, but David has his servants, warriors, two priests, and an old friend: the last three stay as spies (2 Samuel 15:13–37). As Absalom takes the throne, David meets two Benjamites: one helpful and one horrible. Soon, Absalom will plan an attack, but the priests and David's friend send word and save David's people (2 Samuel 17:1–22).

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.