Hushai Counters Ahithophel’s Advice

Furthermore, Ahithophel said to Absalom,“Let me choose twelve thousand men and set out tonight in pursuit of David. 2 I will attack him while he is weak and weary; I will throw him into a panic, and all the people with him will flee; I will strike down only the king 3 and bring all the people back to you as a bride returning to her husband. You seek the life of only one man then all the people will be at peace.”

4 

This proposal seemed good to Absalom and all the elders of Israel.

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. 9 Surely by now he is hiding in a cave or some other location. If some of your troops fall first,[fn] whoever hears [of it] will say,‘There has been a slaughter among the troops who follow Absalom.’ 10 Then even the most valiant soldier with the heart of a lion will melt with fear because all Israel knows that your father is a mighty man who has valiant men with him.

11 

Instead, I advise that all Israel from Dan to vvv Beersheba— a multitude like the sand on the seashore— be gathered to you, and that you yourself lead them into battle. 12 Then we will attack [David] vvv wherever we find him, and we will descend on him like dew on the ground. And of all the men with him, not even one will remain

13 

If he retreats to a city, all Israel will bring ropes to that city, and we will drag it down to the valley until not even a pebble can be found there.”

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.

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