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in this manner. Shall we do as he says? If not, 15 Then Hushai said to Zadok and Abiathar
speak up.” the priests, “Thus and so Ahithophel advised
7 So Hushai said to Absalom: “The advice that Absalom and the elders of Israel, and thus and
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Ahithophel has given is not good at this time. so I have advised. Now therefore, send quick-
8 For,” said Hushai, “you know your father and ly and tell David, saying, ‘Do not spend this
his men, that they are mighty men, and they night in the plains of the wilderness, but speed-
are enraged in their minds, like a bear robbed ily cross over, lest the king and all the people
of her cubs in the field; and your father is a who are with him be swallowed up.’ ” Now
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man of war, and will not camp with the people. Jonathan and Ahimaaz stayed at En Rogel, for
9 Surely by now he is hidden in some pit, or in they dared not be seen coming into the city; so a
some other place. And it will be, when some of female servant would come and tell them, and
them are overthrown at the first, that whoever they would go and tell King David. Neverthe-
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hears it will say, ‘There is a slaughter among less a lad saw them, and told Absalom. But both
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the people who follow Absalom.’ And even he of them went away quickly and came to a man’s
who is valiant, whose heart is like the heart of house in Bahurim, who had a well in his court;
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a lion, will melt completely. For all Israel and they went down into it. Then the woman
knows that your father is a mighty man, and took and spread a covering over the well’s
those who are with him are valiant men. mouth, and spread ground grain on it; and the
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11 Therefore I advise that all Israel be fully gath- thing was not known. And when Absalom’s
ered to you, from Dan to Beersheba, like the servants came to the woman at the house, they
sand that is by the sea for multitude, and that said, “Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?”
you go to battle in person. So we will come So the woman said to them, “They have
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upon him in some place where he may be gone over the water brook.”
found, and we will fall on him as the dew falls And when they had searched and could not
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on the ground. And of him and all the men find them, they returned to Jerusalem. Now it
who are with him there shall not be left so came to pass, after they had departed, that they
much as one. Moreover, if he has withdrawn came up out of the well and went and told King
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into a city, then all Israel shall bring ropes to David, and said to David, “Arise and cross over
that city; and we will pull it into the river, until the water quickly. For thus has Ahithophel
there is not one small stone found there.” advised against you.” So David and all the peo-
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14 So Absalom and all the men of Israel said, ple who were with him arose and crossed over
“The advice of Hushai the Archite is better the Jordan. By morning light not one of them
than the advice of Ahithophel.” For the LORD was left who had not gone over the Jordan.
had purposed to defeat the good advice of 23 Now when Ahithophel saw that his advice
Ahithophel, to the intent that the LORD might was not followed, he saddled a donkey, and
bring disaster on Absalom. arose and went home to his house, to his city.
Then he put his household in order, and
hanged himself, and died; and he was buried
in his father’s tomb.
24 Then David went to Mahanaim. And
17:7–13 Providentially, the Lord took control Absalom crossed over the Jordan, he and all
of the situation through the counsel of Hushai the men of Israel with him. And Absalom
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(15:32) who advised Absalom in such a way as made Amasa captain of the army instead of
to give David time to prepare for war with Joab. This Amasa was the son of a man whose
Absalom. Hushai’s plan seemed best to the el- name was Jithra, an Israelite, who had gone in
ders.It had two features:1) the need for an army to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister of
larger than 12,000 (v.1),so that Absalom would Zeruiah, Joab’s mother. 26 So Israel and
not lose, and 2) the king leading the army into Absalom encamped in the land of Gilead.
battle (an appeal to Absalom’s arrogance). 27 Now it happened, when David had come to
Mahanaim, that Shobi the son of Nahash from
17:14 the LORD had purposed.The text notes Rabbah of the people of Ammon, Machir the
that Ahithophel’s advice was rejected by son of Ammiel from Lo Debar, and Barzillai
Absalom because the Lord had determined to the Gileadite from Rogelim, brought beds
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defeat the rebellion of Absalom, as prayed for and basins, earthen vessels and wheat, barley
by David (15:31). God’s providence was con- and flour, parched grain and beans, lentils and
trolling all the intrigues among the usurper’s parched seeds, honey and curds, sheep and
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counselors.
cheese of the herd, for David and the people
who were with him to eat. For they said, “The
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