31 Now someone told David, saying, “(A)Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” And David said, “O Lord, I pray, (B)make the counsel of Ahithophel foolishness.”

32 It happened as David was coming to the summit, where God was worshiped, that behold, Hushai the (C)Archite met him with his [a]coat torn and [b]dust on his head. 33 David said to him, “If you pass over with me, then you will be (D)a burden to me. 34 But if you return to the city, and (E)say to Absalom, ‘I will be your servant, O king; as I have been your father’s servant in time past, so I will now be your servant,’ then you can thwart the counsel of Ahithophel for me. 35 Are not Zadok and Abiathar the priests with you there? So it shall be that (F)whatever you hear from the king’s house, you shall report to Zadok and Abiathar the priests. 36 Behold (G)their two sons are with them there, Ahimaaz, Zadok’s son and Jonathan, Abiathar’s son; and (H)by them you shall send me everything that you hear.” 37 So Hushai, (I)David’s friend, came into the city, and (J)Absalom came into Jerusalem.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 15:32 Or tunic
  2. 2 Samuel 15:32 Lit ground