³¹ Someone told David, “Ahithophel is one of the ·people with Absalom who made secret plans against you [conspirators with Absalom].”

So David prayed, “Lord, please ·make [turn] Ahithophel’s ·advice foolish [counsel into foolishness].”

³² When David reached the top of the mountain where people ·used to worship [worshiped] God, Hushai the Arkite came to meet him. Hushai’s coat was torn, and there was dirt on his head [^Ca sign of mourning or distress]. ³³ David said to Hushai, “If you go with me, you will be ·just one more person for me to take care of [^La burden]. ³⁴ But if you return to the city, you can ·make Ahithophel’s advice useless [thwart/frustrate/counter Ahithophel’s counsel]. Tell Absalom, ‘I am your servant, my king. In the past I served your father, but now I will serve you.’ ³⁵ The priests Zadok and Abiathar will [^Lthey not…?] be with you. Tell them everything you hear in the royal palace. ³⁶ Zadok’s son Ahimaaz and Abiathar’s son Jonathan are with them. Send them to tell me everything you hear.” ³⁷ So David’s friend Hushai ·entered [returned to] Jerusalem just as Absalom arrived.