Hushai

Ahithophel was the king’s counselor. Hushai the Archite was the king’s friend.

¹⁶ Baana son of Hushai in Asher and in Aloth;

¹⁷ Jehoshaphat son of Paruah in Issachar;

When David came to the summit, where he used to worship God, Hushai the Archite was there to meet him with his robe torn and dust on his head.

So David’s friend Hushai arrived in Jerusalem just as Absalom was entering the city.

¹⁶ And David’s friend Hushai the Archite went to Absalom and said to him, “Long live the king! Long live the king!”

¹⁷ “Is this the loyalty you show your friend?” Absalom replied. “Why did you not go with your friend?”

¹⁸ “Not at all,” Hushai answered. “For the one chosen by the LORD, by the people, and by all the men of Israel—his I will be, and with him I will remain.

⁵ Then Absalom said, “Summon Hushai the Archite as well, and let us hear what he too has to say.”

⁶ So Hushai came to Absalom, who told him, “Ahithophel has spoken this proposal. Should we carry it out? If not, what do you say?”

⁷ Hushai replied, “This time the advice of Ahithophel is not sound.”

⁸ He continued, “You know your father and his men. They are mighty men, and as fierce as a wild bear robbed of her cubs. Moreover, your father is a man of war who will not spend the night with the troops.

¹⁴ Then Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice of Hushai the Archite is better than that of Ahithophel.” For the LORD had purposed to thwart the good counsel of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster on Absalom.

¹⁵ So Hushai told Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, “This is what Ahithophel has advised Absalom and the elders of Israel, and this is what I have advised.