2 Samuel 17 Study Notes: Hushai Defeats Ahithophel’s Counsel
Ahithophel urges Absalom to strike David at once, but Hushai persuades him to wait and gather all Israel, because the LORD had determined to defeat Ahithophel’s good advice. Two messengers hide in a well and warn David, who crosses the Jordan. Ahithophel takes his own life, and friends supply David at Mahanaim.
General
What was the heart of Ahithophel’s plan for defeating David (2 Samuel 17:1-3)?
Answer: Pursue at once while David was tired and kill only the king
Ahithophel asked for twelve thousand men to chase David that very night, while he was worn out and discouraged. He planned to cause panic, strike down David alone, and return the rest of David’s followers to Absalom, so that the land would be at peace (17:1-3). It was a quick, focused plan aimed at one man. David had feared exactly this kind of swift pursuit when he left Jerusalem in haste (15:14), and he had prayed that the LORD would turn Ahithophel’s counsel into foolishness (15:31).
- 2 Samuel 17:2 (BSB)“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”Ahithophel describes his plan to attack David while he is weary.
- 2 Samuel 15:14 (BSB)“And David said to all the servants with him in Jerusalem, “Arise and let us flee, or we will not escape from Absalom! We must leave quickly, or he will soon overtake us, heap disaster on us, and put the city to the sword.””David fled Jerusalem quickly, fearing Absalom would overtake him.
- 2 Samuel 15:31 (BSB)“Now someone told David: “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” So David pleaded, “O LORD, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!””David had prayed that the LORD would make Ahithophel’s counsel foolish.
Theological
What strategy did Ahithophel propose to Absalom against David (2 Samuel 17:1-3)?
Answer: Pursue at once while David was tired and kill only the king
Ahithophel’s plan was speed and precision: twelve thousand men that night, an attack on a weary king, the death of David alone, and the return of the people to Absalom (17:1-3). It targeted the one life on which the whole revolt turned. David had fled precisely to avoid being overtaken in this way (15:14), and he had already appealed to the LORD to make Ahithophel’s counsel foolish (15:31).
- 2 Samuel 17:2 (BSB)“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”Ahithophel describes his plan to attack David while he is weary.
- 2 Samuel 15:14 (BSB)“And David said to all the servants with him in Jerusalem, “Arise and let us flee, or we will not escape from Absalom! We must leave quickly, or he will soon overtake us, heap disaster on us, and put the city to the sword.””David fled Jerusalem quickly, fearing Absalom would overtake him.
- 2 Samuel 15:31 (BSB)“Now someone told David: “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” So David pleaded, “O LORD, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!””David had prayed that the LORD would make Ahithophel’s counsel foolish.
General
Whom did Absalom put in command of his army instead of Joab (2 Samuel 17:25)?
Answer: Amasa
Absalom made Amasa commander of the army in Joab’s place (17:25). Amasa was related to Joab: their mothers, Abigail and Zeruiah, were sisters, so the two men were cousins (1 Chronicles 2:16-17). Amasa matters later in the story, because after the revolt David promised to make him commander in Joab’s place (19:13).
- 2 Samuel 17:25 (BSB)“Absalom had appointed Amasa over the army in place of Joab. Amasa was the son of a man named Ithra, the Ishmaelite who had married Abigail, the daughter of Nahash and sister of Zeruiah the mother of Joab.”Absalom appoints Amasa over the army; the narrator explains his family.
- 1 Chronicles 2:16-17 (BSB)“Their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. And the three sons of Zeruiah were Abishai, Joab, and Asahel. Abigail was the mother of Amasa, whose father was Jether the Ishmaelite.”Zeruiah and Abigail were sisters, so Joab and Amasa were cousins.
- 2 Samuel 19:13 (BSB)“And say to Amasa, ‘Aren’t you my flesh and blood? May God punish me, and ever so severely, if from now on you are not the commander of my army in place of Joab!’””David later promises Amasa command of the army in place of Joab.
Theological
Whom did Absalom appoint as commander of his army instead of Joab (2 Samuel 17:25)?
Answer: Amasa
Absalom installed Amasa as commander in Joab’s place (17:25). The narrator’s note on his family makes him Joab’s cousin, since Amasa’s mother Abigail was sister to Zeruiah, Joab’s mother (1 Chronicles 2:16-17). The appointment sets up David’s later offer to make Amasa commander instead of Joab (19:13).
- 2 Samuel 17:25 (BSB)“Absalom had appointed Amasa over the army in place of Joab. Amasa was the son of a man named Ithra, the Ishmaelite who had married Abigail, the daughter of Nahash and sister of Zeruiah the mother of Joab.”Absalom appoints Amasa over the army; the narrator explains his family.
- 1 Chronicles 2:16-17 (BSB)“Their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. And the three sons of Zeruiah were Abishai, Joab, and Asahel. Abigail was the mother of Amasa, whose father was Jether the Ishmaelite.”Zeruiah and Abigail were sisters, so Joab and Amasa were cousins.
- 2 Samuel 19:13 (BSB)“And say to Amasa, ‘Aren’t you my flesh and blood? May God punish me, and ever so severely, if from now on you are not the commander of my army in place of Joab!’””David later promises Amasa command of the army in place of Joab.
General
What did Ahithophel do once Absalom rejected his advice (2 Samuel 17:23)?
Answer: He went home, settled his household, and took his own life
Once Ahithophel knew that Absalom had rejected his advice, he rode home to his own town, settled his household’s affairs, and took his own life; he was buried in the family grave (17:23). The text gives no further comment. Ahithophel had been David’s own counselor before he joined Absalom’s conspiracy (15:12). His counsel failed just as David had prayed (15:31), because the LORD had determined to defeat his counsel (17:14).
- 2 Samuel 17:23 (BSB)“When Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and set out for his house in his hometown. He put his affairs in order and hanged himself. So he died and was buried in his father’s tomb.”Ahithophel goes home, puts his affairs in order, and takes his own life.
- 2 Samuel 17:14 (BSB)“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.”The LORD had purposed to defeat Ahithophel’s counsel, the turn that led to his end.
- 2 Samuel 15:12 (BSB)“While Absalom was offering the sacrifices, he sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, to come from his hometown of Giloh. So the conspiracy gained strength, and Absalom’s following kept increasing.”Ahithophel had been David’s counselor before joining Absalom.
- 2 Samuel 15:31 (BSB)“Now someone told David: “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” So David pleaded, “O LORD, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!””David had prayed that Ahithophel’s counsel be turned into foolishness.
Theological
How does the narrator describe Ahithophel’s end after his counsel was rejected (2 Samuel 17:23)?
Answer: He went home, settled his household, and took his own life
Ahithophel, seeing his counsel set aside, returned to his hometown, ordered his affairs, and took his own life; he was laid in the family grave (17:23). The once-trusted counselor of David (15:12) saw his counsel fail exactly as David had prayed (15:31), because the LORD had ordained that his counsel should fail (17:14).
- 2 Samuel 17:23 (BSB)“When Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and set out for his house in his hometown. He put his affairs in order and hanged himself. So he died and was buried in his father’s tomb.”Ahithophel goes home, puts his affairs in order, and takes his own life.
- 2 Samuel 17:14 (BSB)“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.”The LORD had purposed to defeat Ahithophel’s counsel, the turn that led to his end.
- 2 Samuel 15:12 (BSB)“While Absalom was offering the sacrifices, he sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, to come from his hometown of Giloh. So the conspiracy gained strength, and Absalom’s following kept increasing.”Ahithophel had been David’s counselor before joining Absalom.
- 2 Samuel 15:31 (BSB)“Now someone told David: “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” So David pleaded, “O LORD, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!””David had prayed that Ahithophel’s counsel be turned into foolishness.
General
How did Hushai argue that Ahithophel’s plan would fail (2 Samuel 17:8-10)?
Answer: David’s men were fierce and David himself would be hidden, not with the troops
Hushai said that this time Ahithophel’s advice was not good (17:7). He reminded Absalom that David and his men were mighty warriors, as dangerous as a mother bear whose cubs had been taken. He added that David was an experienced soldier who would not sleep among his troops but would be hiding somewhere, so an attack might fail. If even a few of Absalom’s men fell early, word would spread that Absalom’s army was being beaten, and even the bravest would lose heart (17:8-10). Hushai was doing what David had sent him to do (15:34).
- 2 Samuel 17:8 (BSB)“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.”Hushai describes David and his men as fierce warriors who will not be easily caught.
- 2 Samuel 15:34 (BSB)“But you can thwart the counsel of Ahithophel for me if you return to the city and say to Absalom: ‘I will be your servant, my king; in the past I was your father’s servant, but now I will be your servant.’”David had sent Hushai back to thwart Ahithophel’s counsel.
- 2 Samuel 15:31 (BSB)“Now someone told David: “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” So David pleaded, “O LORD, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!””David prayed that Ahithophel’s counsel would be turned to foolishness.
Theological
On what grounds did Hushai claim Ahithophel’s advice was unsound this time (2 Samuel 17:8-10)?
Answer: David’s men were fierce and David himself would be hidden, not with the troops
Hushai’s rebuttal played on fear and on David’s reputation (17:7-10). David and his men were seasoned and enraged, like a bear whose cubs had been stolen; the veteran king would not be found with the troops; and an early setback would trigger a rumor of slaughter that would melt even lion-hearted men. The speech was the fulfillment of the mission David had given him (15:34), and its success shows how the LORD answered David’s prayer against Ahithophel (15:31).
- 2 Samuel 17:8 (BSB)“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.”Hushai describes David and his men as fierce warriors who will not be easily caught.
- 2 Samuel 15:34 (BSB)“But you can thwart the counsel of Ahithophel for me if you return to the city and say to Absalom: ‘I will be your servant, my king; in the past I was your father’s servant, but now I will be your servant.’”David had sent Hushai back to thwart Ahithophel’s counsel.
- 2 Samuel 15:31 (BSB)“Now someone told David: “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” So David pleaded, “O LORD, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!””David prayed that Ahithophel’s counsel would be turned to foolishness.
General
What alternative plan did Hushai propose to Absalom (2 Samuel 17:11-13)?
Answer: Gather all Israel into a vast army and have Absalom lead it in person
Hushai advised gathering every fighting man of Israel, from Dan in the north to Beersheba in the south, into a huge army with Absalom himself at its head. Then they would fall on David wherever he was, and if he went into a city, they would pull the whole city down (17:11-13). The plan flattered Absalom and sounded overwhelming, but it bought time for David to escape across the Jordan (17:16, 22). It was the delay David needed.
- 2 Samuel 17:11 (BSB)“Instead, I advise that all Israel from Dan to Beersheba—a multitude like the sand on the seashore—be gathered to you, and that you yourself lead them into battle.”Hushai advises gathering all Israel with Absalom leading them.
- 2 Samuel 17:16 (BSB)“Now send quickly and tell David, ‘Do not spend the night at the fords of the wilderness, but be sure to cross over. Otherwise the king and all the people with him will be swallowed up.’””Hushai’s message urges David to cross over rather than stay at the fords.
- 2 Samuel 17:22 (BSB)“So David and all the people with him got up and crossed the Jordan. By daybreak, there was no one left who had not crossed the Jordan.”David and all his people crossed the Jordan by daybreak.
Theological
What counter-proposal did Hushai put to Absalom in place of Ahithophel’s plan (2 Samuel 17:11-13)?
Answer: Gather all Israel into a vast army and have Absalom lead it in person
Hushai’s counter-plan appealed to Absalom’s vanity and to the sheer weight of numbers: muster the whole nation from north to south, with Absalom personally in command, and overwhelm David wherever he might be found, even dragging a city down if need be (17:11-13). Its real effect was delay, which gave David time to cross the Jordan (17:16, 22) and regroup at Mahanaim (17:24).
- 2 Samuel 17:11 (BSB)“Instead, I advise that all Israel from Dan to Beersheba—a multitude like the sand on the seashore—be gathered to you, and that you yourself lead them into battle.”Hushai advises gathering all Israel with Absalom leading them.
- 2 Samuel 17:16 (BSB)“Now send quickly and tell David, ‘Do not spend the night at the fords of the wilderness, but be sure to cross over. Otherwise the king and all the people with him will be swallowed up.’””Hushai’s message urges David to cross over rather than stay at the fords.
- 2 Samuel 17:22 (BSB)“So David and all the people with him got up and crossed the Jordan. By daybreak, there was no one left who had not crossed the Jordan.”David and all his people crossed the Jordan by daybreak.
General
Why did Absalom and his Israelite followers choose Hushai’s advice over Ahithophel’s, according to the narrator (2 Samuel 17:14)?
Answer: The LORD had determined to defeat Ahithophel’s sound advice
Absalom and his Israelite followers judged Hushai’s advice better (17:14). The narrator then explains what was really happening: the LORD had decided to frustrate Ahithophel’s advice, even though it was good advice, so that disaster would come upon Absalom. God was answering David’s prayer (15:31). This shows God’s sovereignty, meaning His rule over all things, including the decisions of people who were not seeking Him at all. Absalom’s council made a real choice, and God was directing the outcome through it. Scripture teaches the same truth elsewhere: no wisdom or counsel can succeed against the LORD (Proverbs 21:30), and He overturns what the nations plot while His own counsel stands forever (Psalm 33:10-11).
- 2 Samuel 17:14 (BSB)“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.”The narrator explains that the LORD purposed to thwart Ahithophel’s counsel.
- 2 Samuel 15:31 (BSB)“Now someone told David: “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” So David pleaded, “O LORD, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!””David had asked the LORD to turn Ahithophel’s counsel into foolishness.
- Proverbs 21:30 (BSB)“There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.”No human counsel can prevail against the LORD.
- Psalm 33:10-11 (BSB)“The LORD frustrates the plans of the nations; He thwarts the devices of the peoples. The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the purposes of His heart to all generations.”The LORD frustrates human plans, while His own counsel stands forever.
Theological
What explanation does the narrator give for the rejection of Ahithophel’s counsel (2 Samuel 17:14)?
Answer: The LORD had determined to defeat Ahithophel’s sound advice
The narrator unveils the hidden cause behind the council’s decision (17:14): the LORD had ordained that Ahithophel’s sound counsel be defeated so as to bring ruin upon Absalom. Absalom and his Israelite followers freely preferred Hushai’s plan, yet their preference was the very means of God’s determined purpose and His answer to David’s prayer (15:31). The text states divine sovereignty over human deliberation without qualification: no counsel can succeed against the LORD (Proverbs 21:30), and He overturns what the nations plot while His counsel stands forever (Psalm 33:10-11).
- 2 Samuel 17:14 (BSB)“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.”The narrator explains that the LORD purposed to thwart Ahithophel’s counsel.
- 2 Samuel 15:31 (BSB)“Now someone told David: “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” So David pleaded, “O LORD, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!””David had asked the LORD to turn Ahithophel’s counsel into foolishness.
- Proverbs 21:30 (BSB)“There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.”No human counsel can prevail against the LORD.
- Psalm 33:10-11 (BSB)“The LORD frustrates the plans of the nations; He thwarts the devices of the peoples. The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the purposes of His heart to all generations.”The LORD frustrates human plans, while His own counsel stands forever.
General
How did Jonathan and Ahimaaz escape Absalom’s servants at Bahurim (2 Samuel 17:18-20)?
Answer: They hid in a well that a woman covered and spread grain over
Jonathan, Abiathar’s son, and Ahimaaz, Zadok’s son, were waiting at En-rogel to carry news to David, but a youth spotted them and reported them to Absalom (17:17-18). They fled to a house in Bahurim and climbed down into a well in the courtyard. The man’s wife spread a cover over its opening and scattered grain on top, and when Absalom’s men arrived, she sent them off in the wrong direction (17:18-20). Once the searchers left, the two men reached David with the warning (17:21). God protected the message David needed, just as He had answered David’s prayer about Ahithophel (15:31).
- 2 Samuel 17:19 (BSB)“Then the man’s wife took a covering, spread it over the mouth of the well, and scattered grain over it so nobody would know a thing.”The woman covers the well and spreads grain over it.
- 2 Samuel 15:35-36 (BSB)“Will not Zadok and Abiathar the priests be there with you? Report to them everything you hear from the king’s palace. Indeed, their two sons, Ahimaaz son of Zadok and Jonathan son of Abiathar, are there with them. Send them to me with everything you hear.””David had arranged for Ahimaaz and Jonathan to carry news to him.
- 2 Samuel 17:14 (BSB)“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.”The LORD was at work to defeat Ahithophel’s counsel.
Theological
How were the messengers Jonathan and Ahimaaz kept from capture at Bahurim (2 Samuel 17:18-20)?
Answer: They hid in a well that a woman covered and spread grain over
When the courier operation at En-rogel was discovered (17:17-18), the two priests’ sons, Jonathan and Ahimaaz, found refuge in a courtyard well at Bahurim, covered and disguised with grain by the householder’s wife, who misdirected the searchers (17:18-20). The escape preserved the warning that brought David safely across the Jordan (17:21-22), part of the providential chain by which the LORD defeated Ahithophel’s counsel (17:14).
- 2 Samuel 17:19 (BSB)“Then the man’s wife took a covering, spread it over the mouth of the well, and scattered grain over it so nobody would know a thing.”The woman covers the well and spreads grain over it.
- 2 Samuel 15:35-36 (BSB)“Will not Zadok and Abiathar the priests be there with you? Report to them everything you hear from the king’s palace. Indeed, their two sons, Ahimaaz son of Zadok and Jonathan son of Abiathar, are there with them. Send them to me with everything you hear.””David had arranged for Ahimaaz and Jonathan to carry news to him.
- 2 Samuel 17:14 (BSB)“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.”The LORD was at work to defeat Ahithophel’s counsel.
General
True or False: Absalom and Israel’s elders rejected Ahithophel’s plan as soon as they heard it.
Answer: False
This is false. At first, Ahithophel’s plan pleased Absalom and every one of Israel’s elders (17:4). Only then did Absalom decide to call Hushai and hear his opinion too (17:5). That second opinion changed everything, because Hushai was secretly working for David (15:34). Proverbs says that people make plenty of plans, but it is the LORD’s purpose that stands (Proverbs 19:21).
- 2 Samuel 17:4-5 (BSB)“This proposal seemed good to Absalom and all the elders of Israel. Then Absalom said, “Summon Hushai the Archite as well, and let us hear what he too has to say.””Absalom and the elders approve the plan, then Absalom summons Hushai.
- 2 Samuel 15:34 (BSB)“But you can thwart the counsel of Ahithophel for me if you return to the city and say to Absalom: ‘I will be your servant, my king; in the past I was your father’s servant, but now I will be your servant.’”David had sent Hushai to Absalom to thwart Ahithophel’s counsel.
- Proverbs 19:21 (BSB)“Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.”Human plans are many, but the LORD’s purpose prevails.
Theological
True or False: Ahithophel’s proposal was immediately rejected by Absalom and Israel’s elders.
Answer: False
This is false. The proposal seemed right to Absalom and the whole body of elders (17:4); the decisive turn came only when Absalom chose to consult Hushai as well (17:5). Hushai was David’s planted agent (15:34), and through his counsel the LORD’s purpose overruled a plan that the council had already approved (Proverbs 19:21).
- 2 Samuel 17:4-5 (BSB)“This proposal seemed good to Absalom and all the elders of Israel. Then Absalom said, “Summon Hushai the Archite as well, and let us hear what he too has to say.””Absalom and the elders approve the plan, then Absalom summons Hushai.
- 2 Samuel 15:34 (BSB)“But you can thwart the counsel of Ahithophel for me if you return to the city and say to Absalom: ‘I will be your servant, my king; in the past I was your father’s servant, but now I will be your servant.’”David had sent Hushai to Absalom to thwart Ahithophel’s counsel.
- Proverbs 19:21 (BSB)“Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.”Human plans are many, but the LORD’s purpose prevails.
General
Why did Shobi, Machir and Barzillai bring supplies to David at Mahanaim (2 Samuel 17:27-29)?
Answer: They saw that David’s people were hungry, weary and thirsty
At Mahanaim, three men met David with beds, bowls, grain, beans, honey, sheep and cheese, because they said his people were hungry, tired and thirsty from the wilderness (17:27-29). Machir of Lo-debar had once given a home to Mephibosheth (9:4). Shobi came from Rabbah, the Ammonite city (17:27). Barzillai the Gileadite was a wealthy old man who kept supplying the king the whole time he stayed there (19:32). In his darkest hour, God provided for David through these friends, and David later told Solomon to show kindness to Barzillai’s sons for it (1 Kings 2:7).
- 2 Samuel 17:29 (BSB)“honey, curds, sheep, and cheese from the herd for David and his people to eat. For they said, “The people have become hungry, exhausted, and thirsty in the wilderness.””The men explain that David’s people are hungry, exhausted and thirsty.
- 2 Samuel 9:4 (BSB)““Where is he?” replied the king. And Ziba said, “Indeed, he is in Lo-debar at the house of Machir son of Ammiel.””Machir of Lo-debar had housed Mephibosheth.
- 2 Samuel 19:32 (BSB)“Barzillai was quite old, eighty years of age, and since he was a very wealthy man, he had provided for the king while he stayed in Mahanaim.”Barzillai provided for the king throughout his stay at Mahanaim.
- 1 Kings 2:7 (BSB)“But show loving devotion to the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be among those who eat at your table, because they stood by me when I fled from your brother Absalom.”David asks Solomon to show loving devotion to Barzillai’s sons for standing by him.
Theological
What reason did Shobi, Machir and Barzillai give for supplying David at Mahanaim (2 Samuel 17:27-29)?
Answer: They saw that David’s people were hungry, weary and thirsty
Shobi, Machir and Barzillai met David’s exhausted company at Mahanaim with bedding, vessels and abundant food, explaining that the people were hungry, weary and parched in the wild country (17:27-29). Machir of Lo-debar had earlier sheltered Mephibosheth (9:4), and Shobi came from the Ammonite city of Rabbah (17:27). Barzillai sustained the king throughout his stay (19:32), and David later commended his sons to Solomon for loving devotion because they had stood by him in his flight from Absalom (1 Kings 2:7).
- 2 Samuel 17:29 (BSB)“honey, curds, sheep, and cheese from the herd for David and his people to eat. For they said, “The people have become hungry, exhausted, and thirsty in the wilderness.””The men explain that David’s people are hungry, exhausted and thirsty.
- 2 Samuel 9:4 (BSB)““Where is he?” replied the king. And Ziba said, “Indeed, he is in Lo-debar at the house of Machir son of Ammiel.””Machir of Lo-debar had housed Mephibosheth.
- 2 Samuel 19:32 (BSB)“Barzillai was quite old, eighty years of age, and since he was a very wealthy man, he had provided for the king while he stayed in Mahanaim.”Barzillai provided for the king throughout his stay at Mahanaim.
- 1 Kings 2:7 (BSB)“But show loving devotion to the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be among those who eat at your table, because they stood by me when I fled from your brother Absalom.”David asks Solomon to show loving devotion to Barzillai’s sons for standing by him.
General
What urgent message did Hushai send David through the priests (2 Samuel 17:15-16)?
Answer: Not to camp at the fords that night but to get across at once
Hushai told the priests Zadok and Abiathar what both he and Ahithophel had advised, and asked them to send word quickly to David: he must not stay overnight at the river crossings in the wilderness but must get across, or he and his people would be destroyed (17:15-16). This was the network David had set up when he sent the priests and their sons back to Jerusalem to carry news to him (15:35-36).
- 2 Samuel 17:16 (BSB)“Now send quickly and tell David, ‘Do not spend the night at the fords of the wilderness, but be sure to cross over. Otherwise the king and all the people with him will be swallowed up.’””Hushai’s message warns David to cross over without delay.
- 2 Samuel 15:35-36 (BSB)“Will not Zadok and Abiathar the priests be there with you? Report to them everything you hear from the king’s palace. Indeed, their two sons, Ahimaaz son of Zadok and Jonathan son of Abiathar, are there with them. Send them to me with everything you hear.””David arranged for the priests’ sons to carry news to him.
- 2 Samuel 15:27 (BSB)“The king also said to Zadok the priest, “Are you not a seer? Return to the city in peace—you with your son Ahimaaz, and Abiathar with his son Jonathan.”David had sent Zadok back to the city with Ahimaaz and Jonathan.
Theological
What did Hushai instruct the priests Zadok and Abiathar to tell David (2 Samuel 17:15-16)?
Answer: Not to camp at the fords that night but to get across at once
Hushai relayed both counsels to Zadok and Abiathar and pressed David to cross immediately rather than lodge at the wilderness fords (17:15-16). The message ran through the courier system David had arranged when he sent the priests and their sons back into the city (15:35-36).
- 2 Samuel 17:16 (BSB)“Now send quickly and tell David, ‘Do not spend the night at the fords of the wilderness, but be sure to cross over. Otherwise the king and all the people with him will be swallowed up.’””Hushai’s message warns David to cross over without delay.
- 2 Samuel 15:35-36 (BSB)“Will not Zadok and Abiathar the priests be there with you? Report to them everything you hear from the king’s palace. Indeed, their two sons, Ahimaaz son of Zadok and Jonathan son of Abiathar, are there with them. Send them to me with everything you hear.””David arranged for the priests’ sons to carry news to him.
- 2 Samuel 15:27 (BSB)“The king also said to Zadok the priest, “Are you not a seer? Return to the city in peace—you with your son Ahimaaz, and Abiathar with his son Jonathan.”David had sent Zadok back to the city with Ahimaaz and Jonathan.