³¹ Now David had been told, “Ahithophel^(A) is among the conspirators with Absalom.” So David prayed, “Lord, turn Ahithophel’s counsel into foolishness.”

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.

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.

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

¹⁴ Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice^(A) of Hushai the Arkite is better than that of Ahithophel.”^(B) For the Lord had determined to frustrate^(C) the good advice of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster^(D) on Absalom.^(E)

³³ Ahithophel^(A) was the king’s counselor.

Hushai^(B) the Arkite was the king’s confidant.