³⁴ But if you return to the city and say to Absalom, ‘Your Majesty, I will be your servant; I was your father’s servant in the past, but now I will be your servant,’^(A) then you can help me by frustrating^(B) Ahithophel’s advice.

¹⁶ “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves.^(A) Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.^(B)

⁵ But Absalom said, “Summon also Hushai^(A) the Arkite, so we can hear what he has to say as well.” ⁶ When Hushai came to him, Absalom said, “Ahithophel has given this advice. Should we do what he says? If not, give us your opinion.”

⁷ Hushai replied to Absalom, “The advice Ahithophel has given is not good this time. ⁸ You know your father and his men; they are fighters, and as fierce as a wild bear robbed of her cubs.^(B) Besides, your father is an experienced fighter;^(C) he will not spend the night with the troops. ⁹ Even now, he is hidden in a cave or some other place.^(D) If he should attack your troops first,^[a] whoever hears about it will say, ‘There has been a slaughter among the troops who follow Absalom.’ ¹⁰ Then even the bravest soldier, whose heart is like the heart of a lion,^(E) will melt^(F) with fear, for all Israel knows that your father is a fighter and that those with him are brave.^(G)

¹¹ “So I advise you: Let all Israel, from Dan to Beersheba^(H)—as numerous as the sand^(I) on the seashore—be gathered to you, with you yourself leading them into battle. ¹² Then we will attack him wherever he may be found, and we will fall on him as dew settles on the ground. Neither he nor any of his men will be left alive. ¹³ If he withdraws into a city, then all Israel will bring ropes to that city, and we will drag it down to the valley^(J) until not so much as a pebble is left.”

¹⁴ Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice^(K) of Hushai the Arkite is better than that of Ahithophel.”^(L) For the Lord had determined to frustrate^(M) the good advice of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster^(N) on Absalom.^(O)

¹⁶ Then Hushai^(A) 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?”^(B)

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.”^(C)

²⁰ You came only yesterday. And today shall I make you wander^(A) about with us, when I do not know where I am going? Go back, and take your people with you. May the Lord show you kindness and faithfulness.”^[a](B)

² You shall do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king, except that you may carry off their plunder^(A) and livestock for yourselves.^(B) Set an ambush^(C) behind the city.”