Hushai Counters Ahithophel’s Advice

II Samuel 16:15-17:14

“And Absalom, and all the people the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him.  And it came to pass, when Hushai the Archite, David's friend, was come unto Absalom, that Hushai said unto Absalom, God save the king, God save the king. 

And Absalom said to Hushai, Is this thy kindness to thy friend? why wentest thou not with thy friend? 

And Hushai said unto Absalom, Nay; but whom the LORD, and this people, and all the men of Israel, choose, his will I be, and with him will I abide.  And again, whom should I serve? should I not serve in the presence of his son? as I have served in thy father's presence, so will I be in thy presence.” (II Samuel 16:15-19) 

Hushai was a personal friend, and David asked him to see if he could discredit Ahithophel’s advice.  When Absalom and his followers came into Jerusalem, Hushai was there to greet them.  Knowing he was David’s friend, Absalom was immediately suspicious, asking why he hadn’t gone with David.

Hushai responded that he was more concerned with Israel and what God wanted than who was the king.  He would serve whoever was king equally well.  Human nature usually assumes others have the same feelings and motivations as oneself, and since Absalom was betraying his own father to gain power, he accepted that Hushai would betray his friend for the same reason.

“Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, Give counsel among you what we shall do. 

And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Go in unto thy father's concubines, which he hath left to keep the house; and all Israel shall hear that thou art abhorred of thy father: then shall the hands of all that are with thee be strong. 

So they spread Absalom a tent upon the top of the house; and Absalom went in unto his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel. 

And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was as if a man had inquired at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.” (II Samuel 16:20-23)

Ahithophel’s advice was so often right that it had come to be considered as good as a message from God, so Absalom asked him what he should do to cement his control of the kingdom.  Ahithophel’s advice was to publicly destroy any hope of reconciliation with his father by openly having sex with his common law wives in a public display of disrespect.   It would imply that David had lost all his power, and convince many that there was no possibility of David regaining influence as long as Absalom remained in power.   People would be forced to accept the new order.

While this advice would further widen the gap between David and Absalom and make it obvious there would be no future collaboration, it was also a direct attack on God’s moral law.  Leviticus 20:11commands, “And the man that lieth with his father's wife hath uncovered his father's nakedness: both of them shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.”  As a deliberate act of disrespect, it also violated Deuteronomy 5:16.  “Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.”

While the immediate effect would be to secure him the kingdom, it would also bring the wrath of God on Absalom, but he wasn’t very concerned about it.  He had already murdered his brother, and now he was trying to murder his father.  Having sex with his father’s wives to show his disdain seemed relatively minor.  Though he didn’t realize it, it also demonstrated his disdain for God.

“Moreover Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Let me now choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night: And I will come upon him while he is weary and weak handed, and will make him afraid: and all the people that are with him shall flee; and I will smite the king only: And I will bring back all the people unto thee: the man whom thou seekest is as if all returned: so all the people shall be in peace.” (II Samuel 17:1-3) 

Ahithophel also advises that he be allowed to take twelve thousand men and attack David before he had a chance to rally his troops and prepare their defense.  If he made the attack fast enough, David’s forces would be intimidated and might well collapse, allowing him to capture ofr kill David, and eliminate any future problems.

“And the saying pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of Israel.  Then said Absalom, Call now Hushai the Archite also, and let us hear likewise what he saith.

And when Hushai was come to Absalom, Absalom spake unto him, saying, Ahithophel hath spoken after this manner: shall we do after his saying? if not; speak thou.” (II Samuel 17:4-6)

While Absalom and the leaders liked Ahithophel’s advice, they decided to see what Hushai thought about it.  Since he was a personal friend of David’s, he would have a good idea how David would react, and it would give a chance to test Hushai’s loyalty to Absalom.

“And Hushai said unto Absalom, The counsel that Ahithophel hath given is not good at this time.  For, said Hushai, thou knowest thy father and his men, that they be mighty men, and they be chafed in their minds, as a bear robbed of her whelps in the field: and thy father is a man of war, and will not lodge with the people.  Behold, he is hid now in some pit, or in some other place: and it will come to pass, when some of them be overthrown at the first, that whosoever heareth it will say, There is a slaughter among the people that follow Absalom.  And he also that is valiant, whose heart is as the heart of a lion, shall utterly melt: for all Israel knoweth that thy father is a mighty man, and they which be with him are valiant men. 

Therefore I counsel that all Israel be generally gathered unto thee, from Dan even to Beersheba, as the sand that is by the sea for multitude; and that thou go to battle in thine own person.  So shall we come upon him in some place where he shall be found, and we will light upon him as the dew falleth on the ground: and of him and of all the men that are with him there shall not be left so much as one.  Moreover, if he be gotten into a city, then shall all Israel bring ropes to that city, and we will draw it into the river, until there be not one small stone found there.” (II Samuel 17:7-13)

Hushai reminded them that David and his men were experienced warriors and would require little time to prepare themselves and would be eager to fight.  If they were even partially successful in standing off Ahithophel’s army, it would raise questions about his leadership, weakening rather than strengthening his position.

Instead, Hushai recommended that the entire nation be gathered and go in force against him with enough people to ensure victory, totally wiping out all his supporter.  With such a strong force, they could  literally drag any city which sheltered him into the sea, forcing them to give him up.  There would be no possible way for David to win.

“And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel. For the LORD had appointed to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that the LORD might bring evil upon Absalom.” (II Samuel 17:14)

The thought of wiping out all of David’s supporter sand eliminating any possible opposition in one fell swoop appealed to Absalom and the leaders.  With the backing of the entire nation, it didn’t seem possible to be defeated.  They had no idea that God was answering David’s prayer by annulling Ahithophel’s advice.  Absalom was not going to get by with his sin.

While it is wise to get advice, one needs to remember that ultimately, the responsibility falls on oneself.  Choosing the option that most appealed would turn out to be a fatal decision.