David and his people went up to the Mount of Olives and at the summit, Hushai was waiting for them with his clothes torn and dirt in his hair because he was mourning for the King and all of Israel. David then made Hushai a secret agent and had him return to Absalom. David told Hushai to say to Absalom, “I will now be your adviser, O king, just as I was your father’s adviser in the past.” Then you can frustrate and counter Ahithophel’s advice.” He also told Hushai that Zadok and Abiathar were loyal to David and that he could use them to send back information to him.
2 Samuel 15:34-37 ESV But if you return to the city and say to Absalom, '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,' then you will defeat for me the counsel of Ahithophel. (35) Are not Zadok and Abiathar the priests with you there? So whatever you hear from the king's house, tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests. (36) Behold, their two sons are with them there, Ahimaaz, Zadok's son, and Jonathan, Abiathar's son, and by them you shall send to me everything you hear." (37) So Hushai, David's friend, came into the city, just as Absalom was entering Jerusalem.
A little beyond the summit of the Mount of Olives, Ziba, the servant of Saul’s grandson was waiting for him with two donkeys loaded down with food and wine. He served Mephibosheth, the last of Saul’s household and Jonathan’s son. He was the one to whom David had restored all of the lands of Saul; who ate at David’s table. But Mephibosheth had gone over to support Absalom. So David gave all of Mephibosheth’s property and wealth to Ziba, since Mephibosheth proved to be disloyal to him and Ziba went out of his way to bring provisions.
2 Samuel 16:3-4 ESV And the king said, "And where is your master's son?" Ziba said to the king, "Behold, he remains in Jerusalem, for he said, 'Today the house of Israel will give me back the kingdom of my father.'" (4) Then the king said to Ziba, "Behold, all that belonged to Mephibosheth is now yours." And Ziba said, "I pay homage; let me ever find favor in your sight, my lord the king."
Then David came to Bahurim and Shimei came out cursing him and throwing stones. Abishai wanted to cut off the man’s head, but David stopped him. There was a lot of hostility against David. Absalom had turned a great many people against the king.
2 Samuel 16:7-10 ESV And Shimei said as he cursed, "Get out, get out, you man of blood, you worthless man! (8) The LORD has avenged on you all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned, and the LORD has given the kingdom into the hand of your son Absalom. See, your evil is on you, for you are a man of blood." (9) Then Abishai the son of Zeruiah said to the king, "Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and take off his head." (10) But the king said, "What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is cursing because the LORD has said to him, 'Curse David,' who then shall say, 'Why have you done so?'"
When Absalom and the army of Israel finally arrived at Jerusalem, they occupied the city, Ahithophel was with them. David’s friend Hushai arrived and went right away to Absalom and said, “Long live the King!” Absalom asked him why he wasn’t with David. And he said that he was to be with the one anointed of God. Hushai offers to serve Absalom.
2 Samuel 16:15-19 ESV Now Absalom and all the people, the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him. (16) And when Hushai the Archite, David's friend, came to Absalom, Hushai said to Absalom, "Long live the king! Long live the king!" (17) And Absalom said to Hushai, "Is this your loyalty to your friend? Why did you not go with your friend?" (18) 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. (19) And again, whom should I serve? Should it not be his son? As I have served your father, so I will serve you."
Absalom turned to Ahithophel and asked him what to do next; and he replied, “Sleep with the King’s concubines; then every one in the land will know that there is no chance of reconciliation. He did and it was the ultimate insult to the King.”
Ahithophel then advised Absalom to take 12,000 men and go after David and destroy him; but he asked for Hushai’s advice as well. Hushai said, “Your father and his men are all mighty warriors. They are enraged like a mother bear robbed of her cubs. Remember that David is a cunning and mighty warrior, he most likely won’t be with the army; he’ll be in hiding. Your men will be slaughtered and you still won’t have David!
Ahithophel’s Advice
2 Samuel 17:1-3 ESV Moreover, Ahithophel said to Absalom, "Let me choose twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue David tonight. (2) I will come upon him while he is weary and discouraged and throw him into a panic, and all the people who are with him will flee. I will strike down only the king, (3) and I will bring all the people back to you as a bride comes home to her husband. You seek the life of only one man, and all the people will be at peace."
Hushai’s Advice
2 Samuel 17:7-10 ESV Then Hushai said to Absalom, "This time the counsel that Ahithophel has given is not good." (8) Hushai said, "You know that your father and his men are mighty men, and that they are enraged, like a bear robbed of her cubs in the field. Besides, your father is expert in war; he will not spend the night with the people. (9) Behold, even now he has hidden himself in one of the pits or in some other place. And as soon as some of the people fall at the first attack, whoever hears it will say, 'There has been a slaughter among the people who follow Absalom.' (10) Then even the valiant man, whose heart is like the heart of a lion, will utterly melt with fear, for all Israel knows that your father is a mighty man, and that those who are with him are valiant men.
Absalom not only took Hushai’s advice and held off the pursuit of David; but he believed that Ahithophel’s advice was meant to be a trap to destroy him. So Ahithophel put his affairs in order and went and hanged himself. Hushai then sent Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, to warn David that he should cross the Jordan River and go into the wilderness. Soon Absalom was pursuing David with the whole army of Israel. Hushai’s advice only bought a little time, but it was enough time for David to escape.
Heavenly Father, we thank you for always making a way of escape for us. We know that all things work together for good for those who love the LORD. Give us faith in you in Jesus’ name, Amen.
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