2 Samuel 16:18 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And Hushai said to Absalom, "No, for whom the Lord and this people and all the men of Israel have chosen, his I will be, and with him I will remain.

NIV: Hushai said to Absalom, "No, the one chosen by the Lord, by these people, and by all the men of Israel—his I will be, and I will remain with him.

NASB: So Hushai said to Absalom, 'No! For whomever the Lord, this people, and all the men of Israel have chosen, his I shall be, and with him I shall remain.

CSB: "Not at all," Hushai answered Absalom. "I am on the side of the one that the Lord, this people, and all the men of Israel have chosen. I will stay with him.

NLT: I’m here because I belong to the man who is chosen by the Lord and by all the men of Israel,' Hushai replied.

KJV: And Hushai said unto Absalom, Nay; but whom the Lord, and this people, and all the men of Israel, choose, his will I be, and with him will I abide.

NKJV: And Hushai said to Absalom, “No, but whom the Lord and this people and all the men of Israel choose, his I will be, and with him I will remain.

Absalom entered Jerusalem with no resistance. Earlier that day, David took his servants, his hired Philistine soldiers, and his mighty men and fled the city (2 Samuel 15:13, 18; 16:6). Absalom's first order of business is to gather a council and ask what he should do first?

Ahithophel, David's trusted advisor, is with Absalom (2 Samuel 16:15). Absalom's fortunate to have him. He's a wise man who speaks "as if one consulted the word of God" (2 Samuel 16:23). Somehow, in the four years Absalom took to win the hearts of the people of Israel, Ahithophel joined him. It's possible Ahithophel holds a grudge against David for mistreating his granddaughter, Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11:3; 23:34).

Absalom is more puzzled when the old man Hushai appears. He's not only a wise man, but also David's close ally and a good friend. But here he is, hailing Absalom as king. Naturally, Absalom asks why he's abandoned his friend (2 Samuel 16:16–17). Hushai's answer is simple: His loyalty to the Lord and the will of the people is greater than his loyalty to David. He is counselor to the king, whether that's David or his son (2 Samuel 16:19).

These are not Hushai's words. As David left Jerusalem and reached the top of the Mount of Olives, Hushai met him, fully intending to follow the king into the wilderness. David stopped him. Not only would the old man slow down the exiles, but he also had a much greater strategic value (2 Samuel 15:32–33). David sent Hushai to Absalom to tell him, "I will be your servant, O king; as I have been your father's servant in time past, so now I will be your servant" (2 Samuel 15:34).

Hushai is supposedly there to counsel Absalom. He's actually there to counter Ahithophel's advice and send intelligence to David through his loyal priests (2 Samuel 15:35–37). Hushai plays his role perfectly, managing to get David and his people enough time to cross the Jordan into safety (2 Samuel 17:1–22).

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).