2 Samuel 17:7 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Then Hushai said to Absalom, "This time the counsel that Ahithophel has given is not good."

NIV: Hushai replied to Absalom, "The advice Ahithophel has given is not good this time.

NASB: So Hushai said to Absalom, 'This time the advice that Ahithophel has given is not good.'

CSB: Hushai replied to Absalom, "The advice Ahithophel has given this time is not good."

NLT: Well,' Hushai replied to Absalom, 'this time Ahithophel has made a mistake.

KJV: And Hushai said unto Absalom, The counsel that Ahithophel hath given is not good at this time.

NKJV: So Hushai said to Absalom: “The advice that Ahithophel has given is not good at this time.

Asking Ahithophel for advice was once "as if one consulted the word of God" (2 Samuel 16:23). Now, he's merely wise in the ways of the world. He saw how adeptly Absalom won the hearts of the people of Israel just by talking to them. When Absalom was ready to declare himself king, Ahithophel willingly joined his court (2 Samuel 15:1–12).

When David heard Ahithophel had betrayed him, he went to the only one wise and powerful enough to help. He prayed, "O Lord, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness" (2 Samuel 11:31). Almost immediately, God sent him Hushai, an old friend. David challenged Hushai to return to Jerusalem and make his way into Absalom's court. There, he could counter Ahithophel's strategies and warn David of Absalom's plans (2 Samuel 15:32–37).

Hushai did just that (2 Samuel 16:15–19). Ahithophel's first advice was that Absalom should sleep with David's concubines to show dominance and prove an irrevocable break with his father (2 Samuel 16:20–22). It's unclear if Absalom consulted Hushai or if Hushai understood that this was a symbolic moment and bore no real threat to David. Absalom followed Ahithophel's instruction. None understood this was God's judgment on David for taking Bathsheba from Uriah (2 Samuel 12:11–12).

Now, Ahithophel has produced a plan that could destroy David. Ahithophel wants to take a force of available men, march to the exiles' camp, kill David, and bring his servants back to Jerusalem. Though Absalom and the elders think this is a good plan, Absalom asks Hushai to make sure (2 Samuel 17:1–6).

Hushai proceeds to do what David had planned: counter Ahithophel's excellent and effective advice. He tells them that David and his men will not be overtaken so easily. They're too experienced and far too angry. At the first sign of blood, Ahithophel's men will melt in fear. Instead, they need to conscript a larger army and overwhelm David. Only then can they be sure of his destruction (2 Samuel 17:8–13). Such a blunder would pass up the chance to strike while David is disorganized and on the run.

Absalom will agree. Hushai will hurry to send word to David to cross the river to safety (2 Samuel 17:15–16).

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.