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

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

³⁷ So Hushai,^(A) David’s confidant, arrived at Jerusalem as Absalom^(B) was entering the city.

¹² While Absalom was offering sacrifices, he also sent for Ahithophel^(A) the Gilonite, David’s counselor,^(B) to come from Giloh,^(C) his hometown. And so the conspiracy gained strength, and Absalom’s following kept on increasing.^(D)

³² When David arrived at the summit, where people used to worship God, Hushai^(A) the Arkite^(B) was there to meet him, his robe torn and dust^(C) on his head.

The Shepherd Struck, the Sheep Scattered

²³ When Ahithophel saw that his advice^(A) had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and set out for his house in his hometown. He put his house in order^(B) and then hanged himself. So he died and was buried in his father’s tomb.

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.

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)