Hushai’s Advice

The Story

It was the lowest point of David’s life. His own son Absalom had led a rebellion and taken Jerusalem. David fled the city barefoot, weeping, with his head covered.

Then he received more bad news. Ahithophel, his wisest advisor, had joined Absalom. Ahithophel’s advice was so good that people treated it “as if a man had enquired at the oracle of God.”

David prayed a short prayer: “O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.”

At the top of the hill, David’s friend Hushai came to meet him, his coat torn and dirt on his head. David asked him to go back to Jerusalem, pretend to serve Absalom, and work against Ahithophel’s advice.

Soon Ahithophel gave Absalom a brilliant plan: let me take twelve thousand men tonight, while David is tired and weak, and strike him down. Everyone liked it.

But Absalom wanted a second opinion and called Hushai. Hushai painted a frightening picture. Your father is a seasoned warrior, he said, angry “as a bear robbed of her whelps.” Better to wait, gather all Israel, and lead them yourself.

Absalom and his men chose Hushai’s plan. The Bible explains why: “For the LORD had appointed to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel.” The delay gave David time to escape across the Jordan and prepare. The rebellion failed.

Reflection