THE KING'S FRIEND

Passage: 2 Samuel 16:15-23

Key verse: 18

NIV

The Advice of Ahithophel and Hushai

15 Meanwhile, Absalom(A) and all the men of Israel came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel(B) was with him. 16 Then Hushai(C) the Arkite, David’s confidant, went to Absalom and said to him, “Long live the king! Long live the king!”

17 Absalom said to Hushai, “So this is the love you show your friend? If he’s your friend, why didn’t you go with him?”(D)

18 Hushai said to Absalom, “No, the one chosen by the Lord, by these people, and by all the men of Israel—his I will be, and I will remain with him. 19 Furthermore, whom should I serve? Should I not serve the son? Just as I served your father, so I will serve you.”(E)

20 Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give us your advice. What should we do?”

21 Ahithophel answered, “Sleep with your father’s concubines whom he left to take care of the palace. Then all Israel will hear that you have made yourself obnoxious to your father, and the hands of everyone with you will be more resolute.” 22 So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and he slept with his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.(F)

23 Now in those days the advice(G) Ahithophel gave was like that of one who inquires of God. That was how both David(H) and Absalom regarded all of Ahithophel’s advice.

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Absalom Enters Jerusalem

15 (A)Now Absalom and all the people, the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him. 16 And when Hushai the Archite, (B)David's friend, came to Absalom, Hushai said to Absalom, (C)“Long live the king! Long live the king!” 17 And Absalom said to Hushai, “Is this your loyalty to your friend? (D)Why did you not go with your friend?” 18 And Hushai said to Absalom, “No, for whom the Lord and this people and all the men of Israel have chosen, his I will be, and with him I will remain. 19 And again, (E)whom should I serve? Should it not be his son? As I have served your father, so I will serve you.”

20 Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give your counsel. What shall we do?” 21 Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Go in to (F)your father's concubines, whom he has left to keep the house, and all Israel will hear that you have made yourself a stench to your father, and (G)the hands of all who are with you will be strengthened.” 22 So they pitched a tent for Absalom (H)on the roof. And Absalom went in to his father's concubines (I)in the sight of all Israel. 23 Now in those days the counsel that Ahithophel gave was as if one consulted the word of God; so was all the counsel of Ahithophel esteemed, (J)both by David and by Absalom.

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
1. David's friend (15-19) When Absalom arrived in Jerusalem, Hushai came up to him and exclaimed, "Long live the king!" Absalom thought Hushai was referring to him, but he wasn't. That is what Hushai wanted him to believe, but Hushai was actually speaking about David. The same was true when Hushai declared his loyalty to the one whom the LORD and all the men of Israel had chosen. Hushai chose his words carefully in a way that never betrayed David. Hushai really was David's friend. He was obedient and trustworthy and he valued David's life more than his own. Jesus says, "You are my friends if you do what I command." Hushai is an example of how to be a friend of the king. 2. Ahithophel's counsel (2 -23) Hushai's mission was to frustrate the advice of Ahithophel and that was not an easy task. Ahithophel advised Absalom to sleep with David's concubines in order to ensure a permanent separation between David and Absalom. Although his advice was wicked, God used it to fulfill his word. Long ago, the prophet Nathan had declared to David that "Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you..." In all of this, Hushai could rest in the fact that God's sovereign will would prevail.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help us to be loyal friends like Hushai.

One Word: His I will be, and with him I will remain!