2 Samuel 17:6 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And when Hushai came to Absalom, Absalom said to him, "Thus has Ahithophel spoken; shall we do as he says? If not, you speak."

NIV: When Hushai came to him, Absalom said, "Ahithophel has given this advice. Should we do what he says? If not, give us your opinion."

NASB: When Hushai had come to Absalom, Absalom said to him, 'Ahithophel has proposed this plan. Should we carry out his plan? If not, say so yourself.'

CSB: So Hushai came to Absalom, and Absalom told him: "Ahithophel offered this proposal. Should we carry out his proposal? If not, what do you say?"

NLT: When Hushai arrived, Absalom told him what Ahithophel had said. Then he asked, 'What is your opinion? Should we follow Ahithophel’s advice? If not, what do you suggest?'

KJV: And when Hushai was come to Absalom, Absalom spake unto him, saying, Ahithophel hath spoken after this manner: shall we do after his saying? if not; speak thou.

NKJV: And when Hushai came to Absalom, Absalom spoke to him, saying, “Ahithophel has spoken in this manner. Shall we do as he says? If not, speak up.”

Absalom is charming, savvy, and sneaky. For four years, right under David's nose, he managed to win over elders of Israel and declare himself king. At some point, he even convinced David's trusted counselor Ahithophel to join him (2 Samuel 15:1–12).

Ahithophel is even more cunning. He told Absalom to sleep with David's concubines to show dominance over the father who fled as soon as he heard Absalom was coming (2 Samuel 15:13; 16:20–22). Now, Ahithophel wants to take a reasonably sized army and chase David down before he and his men can regroup (2 Samuel 17:1–4).

The elders loyal to Absalom think this is a great idea. Strategically, it's almost an obvious choice: to strike a retreating enemy before they can organize any defense. But Absalom wants to make sure. He asks Hushai, David's old friend who had only recently come to Absalom's side (2 Samuel 16:15–19; 17:4–5). No one in the court knows that Hushai is still working for David (2 Samuel 15:32–37).

It's not clear if Hushai was involved in the discussion about David's concubines. That act may have increased Absalom's credibility, but it didn't threaten David's safety. Ahithophel's attack would. Hushai needs time to send David word to cross the Jordan. He needs to convince Absalom that acting quickly will be more dangerous than waiting. He tells Absalom and the elders that David and his men are as enraged and as dangerous as a mother bear whose cubs have been stolen. Absalom needs a much larger army, and he needs to lead them, himself (2 Samuel 17:7–15).

Fortunately, the court agrees with Hushai. This is not because it's better advice strategically, but because God ordained their destruction. Absalom will delay, and Hushai will be able to warn David (2 Samuel 17:14, 21–22).

Second Samuel 17:5–10 proves David right about his plan to use Hushai. As David fled Absalom, he commissioned Hushai to counter Ahithophel's advice to Absalom (2 Samuel 15:32–37). Ahithophel wants a relatively small force to hunt David down before he and his people can recover from their flight from Jerusalem (2 Samuel 17:1–4). Hushai reminds Absalom of David's skill in war and his men's inevitable rage at being exiled from their city. Hushai will continue to suggest they wait, gather more men, and overwhelm David and his army. Absalom will agree. Hushai warns David, and Ahithophel, realizing God is not on his side, will hang himself (2 Samuel 17:11–23).

David's cunning plan to thwart Absalom works. David enlisted Hushai's help to counter Ahithophel's advice (2 Samuel 15:31–37). Ahithophel wants to take a small force and move immediately to kill only David while he is still fleeing. Hushai suggests they wait, gather a larger army, and destroy David's men. Absalom agrees with Hushai. Hushai sends warnings through the priests and their sons, and David and his people safely cross the Jordan River. As Absalom reaches the Jordan, local leaders care for the exiles. David's army has time to get organized and prepare for battle (2 Samuel 18:1–15).

God's prior instruments of judgment see justice done to themselves. Absalom and Ahithophel rebelled against David, but now God's curses against David are complete (2 Samuel 12:9–13; 16:13, 20–23). The advisor Ahithophel watches helplessly as David's spy Hushai undermines his authority. Seeing the end, Ahithophel kills himself. Hushai helps David and his people to flee to safety. David has time to organize his fighting forces and send them into battle. In one day, they defeat Absalom's army. Against David's will, they also kill Absalom (2 Samuel 18:1–15). Now, David must do the hard work of reconciling the nation.