³³ Ahithophel was the king’s counselor, and Hushai the Archite was the king’s friend.^(A)

³⁷ So Hushai, David’s friend, came into the city just as Absalom was entering Jerusalem.^(A)

¹² While Absalom was offering the sacrifices, he sent for^[a] Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, from his city Giloh. The conspiracy grew in strength, and the people with Absalom kept increasing.^(A)

Hushai Becomes David’s Spy

³² When David came to the summit, where God was worshiped, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat torn and earth on his head.^(A)

The Shepherd Struck, the Flock Scattered

²³ When Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his donkey and went off home to his own city. He set his house in order and hanged himself; he died and was buried in the tomb of his father.^(A)

²³ Now in those days the counsel that Ahithophel gave was as if one consulted the oracle^[a] of God, so all the counsel of Ahithophel was esteemed both by David and by Absalom.^(A)

¹⁶ When Hushai the Archite, David’s friend, came to Absalom, Hushai said to Absalom, “Long live the king! Long live the king!”^{(A) 17} Absalom said to Hushai, “Is this your loyalty to your friend? Why did you not go with your friend?”^(B)