2 Samuel 15:31-37
New American Standard Bible
31 Now someone informed David, saying, “(A)Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” And David said, “Lord, please (B)make the advice of Ahithophel foolish.”
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 And David said to him, “If you go over with me, then you will become (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; even as I was your father’s servant in time past, so now I will also be your servant,’ then you can foil the advice of Ahithophel for me. 35 Are Zadok and Abiathar the priests not 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 there with them, 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.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 2 Samuel 15:32 Or tunic
- 2 Samuel 15:32 Lit earth
2 Samuel 15:31-37
New Living Translation
31 When someone told David that his adviser Ahithophel was now backing Absalom, David prayed, “O Lord, let Ahithophel give Absalom foolish advice!”
32 When David reached the summit of the Mount of Olives where people worshiped God, Hushai the Arkite was waiting there for him. Hushai had torn his clothing and put dirt on his head as a sign of mourning. 33 But David told him, “If you go with me, you will only be a burden. 34 Return to Jerusalem and tell Absalom, ‘I will now be your adviser, O king, just as I was your father’s adviser in the past.’ Then you can frustrate and counter Ahithophel’s advice. 35 Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, will be there. Tell them about the plans being made in the king’s palace, 36 and they will send their sons Ahimaaz and Jonathan to tell me what is going on.”
37 So David’s friend Hushai returned to Jerusalem, getting there just as Absalom arrived.
Read full chapterNew American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
