² David said, “Then you will see for yourself what your servant can do.”

Achish replied, “Very well, I will make you my bodyguard^(A) for life.”

Love in Action

⁹ Love must be sincere.^(A) Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.^(B)

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)

¹⁸ Hushai said to Absalom, “No, the one chosen by the Lord, by these people, and by all the men of Israel—his I will be, and I will remain with him. ¹⁹ Furthermore, whom should I serve? Should I not serve the son? Just as I served your father, so I will serve you.”^(C)

¹⁰ When Achish asked, “Where did you go raiding today?” David would say, “Against the Negev of Judah” or “Against the Negev of Jerahmeel^(A)” or “Against the Negev of the Kenites.^(B)”